Audi | On the road

Audi Q8 50 TDI quattro S line

By Bill McCarthy

THERE’S a saying that all good things come in small packages. In Audi’s case that is partially true. The German car maker produces fine smaller cars, but the same is true of its bigger models, including the flagship Q8.

It’s a huge SUV that proves good things also come in larger packages. It features a mini-hybrid, 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine combined with a lithium battery set up, eye-catching styling and a raft of high-end hi-tech equipment.

Usual Audi size grading by letter has been partially ignored here as the Q8 is around the same size as the Q7. It is actually shorter, although wider and is available only as five seater.

The interior is the usual Audi class act, with plush leather seats and virtual cockpit

The Q8 is still very large, with styling cues from the original Audi quattro. ThisS line includes high definiition LED lights, 21-inch alloy wheels and adaptive air suspension as standard, not to mention the allwheel drive and eight-speed tiptronic gearbox.

Despite its near three-metre wheelbase it looks pretty sleek, almost coupe like, with a swooping profile and raked rear end. It has a large grille with the signature four rings sitting on six vertical fins, giving it a slightly aggressive look.

The interior is the usual Audi class act, with plush leather seats, the now familiar virtual cockpit over two screens, in a pleasing piano black finish.

The upper display controls infotainment and the navigation system, sat nav, Apple and Android connectivity and the superb Bang and Olufsen sound system. The lower 8.6-inch display manages the heating, ventilation and air conditioning as well as comfort functions.

The top screen and TFT display can also be configured in various way to whatever is the driver’s preference.

The trim and finish is first class, with electrically operated leather seats, soft touch finish to dash and doors, with aluminium flashes throughout.

It is packed with equipment, including goodies like the 360 degree camera for parking, collisions and lane departure warning, head up display, ambient lighting , full climate control and parking aids plus a full range of safety kit.

In typical executive German style, optional extras can add thousands to an already eye watering price.

On the road, the six-cylinder 50 TDI with 286ps, hits 62mph in 6.3 seconds and a 144mph top speed. Lightning quick for such a big car.

The power plant integrates a lithium-ion rechargeable battery located underneath the luggage compartment floor and stores 10Ah of electrical capacity. This allows the SUV to coast between 34 and 99mph with the engine switched off.

Duringdeceleration the system can recover up to 12 kW of energy. This delivers an impressive, claimed economy of 41.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 178g/km.

For a sportier drive, switch to the steering wheel mounted paddles and choose dynamic driving mode from the five available to sharped up throttle, gearing and suspension and you get a surprisingly engaging drive.

The four wheel drive with the optional all wheel steering means the car is both agile, with sharp, precise steering and provides plenty of grip, especially in inclement conditions.

The quattro system provides power to the front axle and rear axle at a ratio of 40:60 as standard. When required, it transfers the majority to the axle with the better traction.

The clever sound insulation and the sophisticated aerodynamics, with double-layer windscreen means occupants are well insulated from road and wind noise.

In practical terms there is a host of storage compartments and tray areas, while the boot area offers 605 litres as a standard, which increases to 1,755 litres with the rear backrests folded down. Two golf bags can easily fit in diagonally. The tailgate can be opened and closed electrically as standard.

Factfile

Price: £64,115

Mechanical: 286ps, 2,967cc,6cyl diesel engine driving foiur wheels via 8-speed automatic gearbox

Max Speed: 152mph

0-62mph: 6.3 seconds

Combined MPG: 41.5

Insurance Group: 45

C02 emissions:178g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Audi e-tron

By Bill McCarthy

Driving electric cars from time to time do come with problems. Well, one really, where do you charge it? That was certainly the case 10 years ago when driving the first Nissan Leaf.

Things have taken a massive, if not quantum leap forward. With charging points becoming more and more common on roads, car parks and service stations, and offering fast charging in around 30 minutes, it has reduced the stress almost completely. Battery technology has also moved on at a pace.

Luckily, a charging point was installed in front of the office a couple of months before it I took delivery of the e-tron.

Just as well because a car like the Audi with all the electric bells, whistles and hi-tech gizmos, uses a lot of power. Recharging at either of the two charging points to 80 per cent capacity from a fast charger, takes around 90 minutes. Use a home charge kits and you will get a full charge in under six hours. It can, in an emergency be plugged into a normal socket, but charging takes over a day. It also has the facility, where available, for an 80 per cent chare to take around 20 minutes.

Out and about, the road charging point used contactless payment, all pretty painless.

At first glance you could be forgiven for thinking the e-tron was a Q5 or Q7, at a smidge under five metres long it sits between both, with only subtle flashes and badges indicating this is an all electric, four wheel drive, with a motor on each axle, adaptive air suspension and all the bells and whistles executive motor.

The two electric motors operate as an electric all-wheel drive system, powered by a 95kWh lithiu ion battery, driving the SUV free of emissions, and almost silently.

This gives it a 2.5 tonne beast brilliant acceleration, via the CV transmission, hitting 60mph in under six seconds with the so called engine overboost, a kind of electric kick down and, for those fretting about range, at least 248 miles in the WLTP cycle

Add to this a recuperation system that recharges via braking and deceleration which can be controlled via the steering wheel paddles

It is a smart looking car with an imposing presence yet sleek design, sitting on 20-inch alloy wheels and features LED headlights with LED rear lights, dynamic front and rear indicators and the now familiar light strip across its rear end

The interior is a plush and comfortable place to be with electrically-operated heated leather seats, thick carpets and high quality soft touch plastics throughout. Typical Audi quality.

The so-called ‘virtual cockpit’ dominates. This consists of two touch screens which can be customised to individual taste. It houses the latest MMI or multi-media interface brain of the car, which controls major functions like navigation, infotainment and connectivity for smartphones and a high-end sound system

The range of kit is comprehensive with driver aids such as head up display, parking camera and a whole host of safety kit.

On the road the car is well balanced and handles sharply for such a weighty beast. The steering is responsive while the air suspension soaks up the worst our roads can offer. When conditions get tricky, the four wheel drive kicks in, switching drive from mainly front wheel to sending traction to both axles.

It fairly whispers along, obviously engine noise is absent, while the cabin is well insulated from road noise from those large wheels.

Luxurious it may be but it is also like all SUVs is practical with both 660 litre boot space and with the seats folded, 1725 litres is available plus there is a large central storage bin.

There’s more, the and the lack of an engine means there’s extra space in the engine compartment..

In normal set up it will hit 60 in 6.5 seconds, but floor it and you get the equivalent of kick down, where the so-called overboost pushes up the power from 355 to 402bhp and it hits 60 in 5.7 seconds.

It’s just the start of Audi’s electric revolution. It’s a hell of a good one.

FAST FACTS

Audi e-tron quattro 55

Price: £70,805

Mechanical: 405bhp (max). electric motors driving both axles via auto transmission

Max speed: 124mph

0-62mph: 5.9 seconds

Range: 239 miles

Insurance group: 50E

CO2 emissions: 0g/km

BiK rating: 0%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles