Page 43 - Car South Africa (February 2020)

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01 Rear exhaust outlets rival drainpipes in the RS Q8 in the metal are how RS mode switch that’s integrated on snaking roads such as the
size. 02 You’ll be in no doubt what you’re understated it looks compared into the steering wheel spoke. The ones we’re on today, and you can
driving. 03 Optional carbon-fibre accents
abound. 04 With the sliding rear seat with the overtly aggressive Urus. apparent docility of the Audi is also make mid-bend directional
stowed, capacity increases to 1 755 litres. Apart from revised front and rear quickly dispelled once we hit the adjustments without unsettling
05 RS identified via Manhattan Grey trim facias, a beefy 23-inch wheel/tyre narrow, winding ascent of Mount the car in the slightest, even on
accents. 06 Audi says rear spoiler has
actual downforce benefits. 07 RS Q8 comes combo (optional; 22s are standard) Teide as the 441 kW RS Q8 mon- damp tarmac. Get to the corner
in nine exterior colours. 08 The tracks and a pair of drainpipe-mimicking sters the short straights between apex and you can simply stand
are nearly 1,7 metres wide, affording the oval exhausts, it’s not dramati- the rapid succession of corners,
biggest RS an imposing stance. on the gas to slingshot down the
cally different to the standard Q8 with the V8 whooshing – rather next straight. It’s fair to say we
and I quite like this tasteful visual than bellowing – with enthusiasm hustled the RS Q8 with far more
has begun to move. This tech is restraint. Fire up the twin-turbo as revs rise. vigour than most owners are ever
claimed to reduce consumption V8 and there isn’t the eruption
by 0,8 L/100km, although econo- of sound from the exhausts you Barely a hint of tyre squeal, let alone
my would be among the lowest might have expected. That said,
priorities for RS Q8 customers. these are Euro-spec cars and momentum-sapping understeer
Our first taste of Audi’s new road Audi execs say vehicles bound for
rocket takes place in Tenerife, a vol- selected other markets (such as The RS Q8 comes standard with likely to do and, even then, there
canic isle that has commonalities North America, the Middle East huge carbon-ceramic brakes was barely a hint of tyre squeal,
with Hawaii, Iceland and southern and, yes, South Africa) will have (440 mm diameter at the front let alone momentum-sapping
mainland Spain – depending on a different exhaust system that and 370 mm at the rear) and these understeer to contend with.
which part of the island you’re on. produces more aural drama. do a mighty job of wiping off high According to the laws of phys-
Although the vibe is that of a typ- Once underway, it’s initially the three-digit speeds with disdain. ics, what the hefty RS Q8 can do
ical beach resort if you stick close civilised demeanour of the RS Q8 Above all else, though, it’s the shouldn’t be possible. A fortunate
to the coast, the landscape (and that stands out. Road and wind mind-boggling grip and com- few with deep pockets will get to
climate) changes abruptly as you noise are well suppressed, while posure of the 2,3-tonne jugger- experience this first-hand, as the
make your way up towards Mount the ride is impressively compliant, naut that hits home. There’s an new RS flagship lands in South
Teide, with its snow-capped peak even in the most aggressive RS2 immediate response to steering Africa in the third quarter, with
that summits at 3 718 metres. mode, which is individually con- inputs, enabling you to accurately pricing likely to start around
First impressions on seeing figurable and selectable via a new place the two-metre wide chariot R2,5 million.

CARmag.co.za CAR FEBRUARY 2020 41