RSQ8 or X6M Competition?

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This is the Audi RSQ8, and yes, it packs a lot of the same stuff under the skin that you’d find in the Lamborghini Urus
4 liter twin turbo V8
But here it makes 591 hp and 590 lbft
And it goes through a 8 speed automatic transmission
On its way to all 4 wheels
All that power and all that traction is good enough to rocket this Audi to 60 in 3.2 seconds

And that really makes you question, am I driving a 5 seater SUV or a supercar from 5 years ago?

The answer, is kinda both!

This 4 liter V8 shows up in some of the most incredible cars from Audi to Porsche to Bentley to, Yes, Lamborghini

The V8 thundering away under the hood is a masterpiece, but it owes a lot of thanks to the 8 speed transmission attached to it

Yes, the V8 sounds incredible, but it’s the theatrics you get as you go to shift that really put it over the top

Sharp braps on up shift

And burbles on downshift

And every now and then a nice rewarding burble when you let off the throttle

Just enough to make you feel like you earned it, but not too much

And then there’s the handling. This is, after all, a big 5500 lbs coupified SUV, but it doesn’t drive that way. There’s so much power, the brakes are huge, the steering is tight and engaging, you’ve got 4 wheel steering for max dynamics, and the suspension softens and firms to whatever I ask of the car.

The engine has power and a soul to it
The transmission is crisp and has some personality
The steering will have a short debate with you
And the air suspension keeps everything cool and collected

The badge on the back and grille may say RS, but theres a bigger one made up of 4 rings which brings its own set of rules. When you want to behave like a respectable citizen of the world, you can dial things out of dynamic mode, into comfort, and let the car settle down

The adaptive air suspension softens way off

There’s a 48 volt mild hybrid system that smooths out shifts

And it’s shockingly quiet and serene in here when there isn’t a big V8 shouting at you

I know this is the fast one, but that doesn’t mean it’s the uncivilized one

It may be lots of Lambo under the skin, but the design is unmistakable Audi
You have the big geometric grille up front
Which has been blacked out with the Black Optics package
But it doesn’t stop there, if you look closer this is carbon fiber as part of the carbon Optic package
And against the Glacier white paint it really pops
Around the side you have incredibly gorgeous 23 inch wheels wrapped in Continental Sport Contact 6 tires to maximum grip
You follow the body lines and before long you notice the carbon wing mirror, black window treatments, and black roof rails
I have to say the profile is my favorite angle of the car it looks powerful and it looks fast
This does have the more coupified roof giving it an athletic presence, but you still have a nice big trunk
Around back you have a mirror design in your taillight that you got from the front
And in typical Audi fashion they do a little dance
You have a blacked out connecting bar between the taillights, black RSQ8 badge
And then down below black mesh diffuser inlayed with a carbon blade and classic RS massive dual exhaust

And then in the cabin this reminds me a lot of the S8 we were in recently. Similar modern design, exception build quality and materials, and this Cognac leather is such a tasteful interior spec.

It FEELS expensive in here
You have a nice diversity of materials with leather, aluminum, matte carbon fiber, and of course gloss black plastic
But it’s accented with nice ambient lighting
This RSQ8 may be fast, but it’s still packed with all the luxuries you could ask for
Heated and cooled seat
Heated steering wheel
Massage seats
And then in terms of technology it packs all the stuff you want without any infuriating gimmicks
You have a great head up display
Audi still does the best virtual cockpit in the game
And even the infotainment system is quick and easy to use
Plus you have wireless car play AND 360 augmented reality cameras
And finally in terms of space, you may be worried about headroom in the rear thanks to the tapered roof, but I fit just fine at 6’1”
And the trunk is just as useable as it would be without the tapered roof assuming you don’t pack your trunk all the way to the ceiling… i mean cmon who does that

So the cabin here is luxurious, well appointed, spacious, and DEFINITELY feels worthy of being in the flagship SUV at Audi..so with that let’s get to the final thoughts