Driving Audi’s upper luxury SQ8 SUV – a coupe style SUV now with 4.0-litre twin turbo petrol V8 power. Unlike the seven-seat Audi SQ7, the sportier SQ8 is a five- seater with a sloped rear roof line, the SQ8 61mm shorter, 25mm wider and 85mm lower. An upper luxury SUV at $168,800 it sells in relatively small numbers. A distinctive SUV with four-wheel steering, four-wheel drive powered as I said by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 driving through an 8-speed automatic. Visually big and imposing with a wide stance sitting on 22 wheels it tips the scales at 2480 kilos with a braked towing capacity of 3,500kilos. The interior best described as sumptuous and built for comfort, Nappa leather quilted power heated and cooled seat, lashings of black piano finishes and two large touch screens, in this case surprisingly user friendly. With a gutsy 770Nm of torque between 2 and 4,000 revs the Audi SQ8 is a very docile driver about town with a cosseted ride and surprisingly fuel efficient. But with its adaptive air suspension on an open winding road it transforms into a taut driving machine offering amazing cornering stability and performance. Expensive yes but just so competent. I’m David Berthon

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