The Audi SQ8 TDI is here, wrapping the same diesel-hearted powertrain from the SQ7 TDI in a more lissome package. That means a 4.0-liter V8 oil-burner with two sequential turbochargers terrifying the roadways with 429 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. That twist-a-licious torque figure is on tap from 1,000 rpm to 3,250 rpm. An eight-speed tiptronic handles the shifting, and a 48-volt mild hybrid system enables green running at 14 miles per hour or less.

There'll be two versions for the UK market, in standard and Vorsprung trims. Every model gets the S cosmetic treatment, starting with the matte silver frame around the grille with matching lower lip, skid plate, and side mirror housings. In back, quad pipes frame a matte silver diffuser. Carbon ceramic brakes are automatic, behind 21-inch standard wheels or optional 22-inchers. The Vorsprung trim gets a black styling package.

The interior comes mainly in black, with Alcantara, diamond-stitched Valcona leather, and aluminum inlays. Available sprucing touches include rotor gray or Arras red trim, rock gray or anthracite cross-stitching, and carbon or oak gray inlays. Aluminum door sills impress the eyes, stainless steel pedals and footrest keep the feet happy. MMI navigation plus is standard, with those two beautiful touchscreens filling the center console.

Adaptive air suspension is a given, the dampers able to move the SQ8 through a height range of 3.5 inches. Built for harder running, the Vorsprung models add active roll stabilization, four-wheel steering, and a sport differential to move torque across the rear axle. Pricing hasn't been announced, but the regular 337-hp Q8 Vorsprung edition costs £82,810 ($105,469 U.S.), so expect a healthy premium on top.

There are rumors that a gas-powered SQ8 will head to the U.S., perhaps with the turbocharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6. Behind that, an RS Q8 should be on its way with more than 600 horses, likely coming via a standard twin-turbo V8 or hybrid V8 powertrain.

The flagship Audi Q8 luxury crossover is finally getting an S model, but don't expect it in the U.S. anytime soon. Why? Well, it's a diesel. The 2020 Audi SQ8's diesel engine sounds pretty sweet, too, as it makes 429 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. On top of that, Audi says that on the European test cycle, it delivers 30 mpg in combined driving.

There's a lot of cool mechanical technology under the skin of the SQ8. That torquey engine is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, and like other diesel Audis, it features an electrically driven supercharger powered by the 48-volt electrical system, to provide more immediate boost at low rpm.

The chassis can be fitted with optional rear-wheel steering and electronically controlled anti-roll bars to reduce body roll. A torque-vectoring rear differential and limited-slip center differential are available, too, all of which should make this big crossover pretty nimble.

Audi also added subtle but distinct visual tweaks to the SQ8. All SQ8s get a silver grille surround and matching lower trim to make it look lower and more aggressive. At the back, it gets quad tailpipes and a faux diffuser design on the bumper. Inside, the SQ8 gets more aggressively bolstered and sportier-designed seats.

As we already mentioned, we wouldn't count on this coming to America since it's a diesel VW product. If we ever get our own SQ8, it will probably get a gas engine, probably shared with the Porsche Cayenne. For European buyers, you'll be able to get one this summer, but it's not cheap. The base price is 102,900 euros, which is just over $116,000 at current exchange rates.

The most powerful series-production Audi yet will take the form of a large SUV when it is launched next year as the RS Q8.

Caught on camera during development testing at the Nürburgring, Audi Sport's future Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 rival, which is clearly influenced in design by the RS Q8 concept of 2017, will inherit the twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine and accompanying electric motor of the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid from Volkswagen Group stablemate Porsche.



In the super-saloon, the V8, which is force-fed air by a pair of twin scroll blowers, produces 542bhp and 568lb ft of torque, while the electric motor injects a further 134bhp and 295lb ft of torque through an eight-speed twin-clutch automatic gearbox.

In full operation, the combined system output peaks at 670bhp and 627lb ft. With the same level of potency, this would make the RS Q8 Audi’s most powerful model, eclipsing the output of the R8 V10 Plus by 68bhp and 214lb ft