Latest news with #Quattro
TimesLIVE
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
The Audi RS Q8 is a high-riding supercar
With the hammer dropped all the way, the 4.0l motor spits out 471kW/850Nm, with a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.6 seconds. We have tested faster from Audi — the electric RS E-Tron GT comes to mind. But this offers a different sensation entirely. Old school and visceral, the mechanical symphony that happens as pedal depression translates to pace is something to savour. On a hard launch, you can feel the Quattro system gripping as it sends the hefty RS Q8 from rest and towards road-shredding higher velocities. To say accessing its full performance capabilities is foolproof might be an overstatement because even with its leech-like all-wheel drive system, the RS Q8 could be a lethal weapon in overzealous hands. One needs full sensitisation to its weight and deceptively brutal acceleration before getting into a proper, comfortable rhythm of dynamic driving. A tag of R3,265,100 is what the model goes for, before options and individualisation. This includes a five-year/100,000km maintenance plan. For reference, the Lamborghini Urus begins at R4,875,000 while the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT comes in at R4,506,000.
Auto Express
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too
You're looking at the all-new Audi Q3, the brand's critically important small SUV that makes up a huge proportion of its sales here in the UK and across Europe. Yes, lots of new Audis have been flying out of factories of late, but the new Q3 is the first from the brand's next generation of smaller models and packs some impressive powertrain figures, plus a rather high-end interior. Advertisement - Article continues below Priced from £38,300 when it arrives in September this year, UK models will be offered in three trim lines, topping out at just over £50,000 for the fully-loaded Edition 1 with the highest performing 262bhp petrol engine, equipped with Quattro all-wheel drive. A sleeker Sportback variant will join the range in a few months time, but Audi has been a little more coy on the possibility of a mid-spec S or a new iteration of RS Q3 model – for those we'll have to wait and see. At launch, buyers should find plenty to like, starting with the A3's plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Q3, just like before, finds its base in the VW Group's MQB platform giving it a transverse engine layout and front-wheel drive on most models. Yet despite a design that very closely resembles the Q5, which uses Audi's more traditional longitudinal arrangement, the two are actually very different under the skin. The key difference is largely down to packaging, with Audi being able to squeeze in the engine, gearbox and, in some cases, hybrid elements with less of an impact on passenger space. It's therefore no surprise to see the Q3 sharing many of the powertrain options from the smaller A3, including its impressive plug-in hybrid powertrain. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The PHEV package is made up of a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine matched with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Unlike former Q3 PHEV powertrains, the petrol engine itself has been given more specialised engineering, including a clever Miller combustion cycle. This should help with efficiency, of course, but also give it a power and torque delivery that's more suited to working alongside that electric motor. In this case, the e-motor is mounted between the engine and transmission, feeding power through the gearbox. It's driven by a chunky 25.7kWh battery, which Audi says can achieve a range of up to 74.4 miles, significantly more than the previous generation. All in, Audi quotes a peak combined power figure of 268bhp with 400Nm generated between both petrol and e-motors. The company will also offer an entry-level 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol with a mild-hybrid system, a pure 148bhp, plus a 2.0-litre diesel with the same 148bhp power figure but a generous bump in torque. Finally, a pair of 2.0-litre petrols, initially with 263bhp and, later, with 200bhp will round out the range with a Quattro all-wheel drive system as standard; all other Q3s are front-wheel drive and come with a seven-speed dual-clutch. If you've been a fan of Audi's latest design language, you'll love the new Q3 and its mini-Q5 appearance. The front end includes a new take on the single-frame grille with slim upper lighting units taking care of the customisable daytime running lights and indicators, while below sits a set of hidden main headlights that feature optional matrix beams. The rear end uses the latest A6 Avant for its inspiration, rather than Q5, with a similar setup of rear lighting units that feature complex upper elements, a slim light bar and separate brake lights below. Audi also integrates an illuminated version of its four-ringed badge, with an aggressive faux grille opening where the exhaust pipes might once have sat. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The whole effect is more substantial and grown up than before, looking closer than ever like its larger siblings. Yet ironically, while it does look similar to other Audis, the Q3 actually shares most of its core body, including its doors with the Cupra Terramar that was revealed over 12 months ago. Wheel sizes vary from 17 to 20-inches, with aero-optimised options available in 18 and 19-inch options. There's also the usual Sport and S-Line body styles, plus a range of 11 colours including some unique to just the new Q3. It's inside where customers will arguably see the greatest change, with the former Q3's rather underwhelming interior replaced wholesale with an all-new setup. The biggest initial impression is led by the dual-screen display, which in this case is a touch smaller than the similar-looking unit you'll find in the Q5. Here, the Q3's setup combines an 11.9-inch display for the driver, with a slightly larger 12.8-inch touchscreen in the centre. This main infotainment display and the slightly different aspect ratio has required a new user interface, which Audi has applied with a new and simplified menu structure. Gone is the small shortcut panel near the driver, and instead the system displays a standardised collection of menu tiles, plus a static set of climate functions at the screen base. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The screen sits on a highly sculpted, three-dimensional base which can be specified in various different finishes. Below this section sit the air vents, plus key switches for the drive modes and the volume knob. Look closely at the centre console, and you'll notice that aside from the starter button and a couple of cup holders, there's something else missing that you might expect to find on a modern Audi – and that's a gear selector. That's because instead of mounting it in the centre console, Audi has designed a new arrangement of stalks that sit behind the steering wheel. To the right is the gear selector, with the wipers and indicators taken care of on the left. But rather than just housing them onto the usual stalks as one might see on a modern Volkswagen Tiguan, they're formed into a static wraparound panel that sits behind the steering wheel. They also work slightly differently, as rather than physically tapping the stalk down to activate the indicators, they now operate on a rocker panel, the wipers meanwhile are accessed via a small scroll wheel. An array of different material choices will be available depending on the model, including perforated ambient lighting in the doors, but the full-width light bar mounted under the windscreen in larger Audi models has been ditched, replaced instead by more visible lines following the contour of the dash front. As one of Audi's smaller models, the high-end stereo option is a Sonus system rather than Bang & Olufsen, and we're not upset to see the Q6's complex door-mounted switch panel also be given the flick. The boot is impressive in terms of space, with 575-litres with the second row in place, rising to 1,386 with the second row flipped down. The rear bench can also be moved forwards and back, and comes with adjustable backrests. Auto Express Find A Car can help you find the best deals out there on a new Audi Q3 or top prices on used Audi Q3 models ... Find a car with the experts New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can't be anything but popular Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can't be anything but popular The Kia Sportage has earned its popularity over the years and deals like our Car Deal of the Day for June 14 won't do it any harm at all. New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only
Top Gear
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron Price & Specs
Advertisement Title 0-62 kWh BHP Range (Comb.) Price 285kW Quattro 100kWh S Line 5dr Auto [S+V] 5.9s 100 kWh 382.2 359 miles £74,950 285kW Quattro 100kWh S Line 5dr Auto 5.9s 100 kWh 382.2 361 miles £74,950 285kW Quattro 100kWh Sport 5dr Auto [Sound+Vision] 5.9s 100 kWh 382.2 388 miles £71,950 285kW Quattro 100kWh Sport 5dr Auto 5.9s 100 kWh 382.2 389 miles £71,950 225kW Performance 100kWh S Line 5dr Auto [S+V] 6.7s 100 kWh 301.7 372 miles £72,645 225kW Performance 100kWh S Line 5dr Auto 6.7s 100 kWh 301.7 374 miles £69,450 225kW Performance 100kWh Sport 5dr Auto [S+V] 6.7s 100 kWh 301.7 400 miles £69,645 185kW 83kWh S Line 5dr Auto 7.6s 83 kWh 248.1 310 miles £65,950 225kW Performance 100kWh Sport 5dr Auto 6.7s 100 kWh 301.7 402 miles £66,450 185kW 83kWh Sport 5dr Auto [S+V] 7.6s 83 kWh 248.1 332 miles £66,145 185kW 83kWh Sport 5dr Auto 7.6s 83 kWh 248.1 333 miles £62,950 185kW 83kWh S Line 5dr Auto [S+V] 7.6s 83 kWh 248.1 309 miles £69,145 You might like
Top Gear
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Audi's new Q5 e-hybrid will go 62 miles without its engine, yours from £56k
First Look Get ready to waft even further than before Skip 10 photos in the image carousel and continue reading The Audi's Q5 e-hybrid PHEV has arrived in both SUV and Sportback body styles, boasting a 295bhp powertrain and up to 62 miles of pure electric wafting. That new rear-mounted battery is 45 per cent larger (now 20.7kWh) than its predecessor, and signals a new 'cell-to-pack' approach for Audi. It means the cells are glued directly to the battery housing, as opposed to within the battery module; more power density crammed into a smaller space. Simple but smart. Advertisement - Page continues below It'll accept a maximum charge rate of 11kW at a three-phase AC charger, with a full juice taking around two-and-a-half hours. Not that many of us live in three-phase homes, mind. The engine is a 2.0-litre TFSI four-pot, itself delivering 248bhp and contributing to a total torque output of 332lb ft. 0-62mph is a not-at-all bad 6.2 seconds, with an 87mph top speed in EV-only mode and 155mph otherwise. You might like Aside from the sports suspension, seven-speed DCT gearbox and trusty Quattro all-wheel drive, the other main technical bits revolve around the regen braking. Audi says it has 'significantly' ramped up the Q5's performance, and will now harvest energy at up to 88kW. You can cycle through three levels of adjustment using paddles on the steering wheel. Speaking of which, the interior comes well furnished as standard. It'll have the same 14.5in central touchscreen and 11.9in Virtual Cockpit as the mild hybrids, with the option of an extra 10.9in display for the front passenger. There's a vented phone charger providing up to 15 watts of power, supplemented by a quartet of USB-C ports split between the front and back seats. Advertisement - Page continues below The Q5's rear bench also tilts and adjusts, so you can make small gains on the 438-litre boot space (433 litres in the Sportback) when necessary. Fold it down entirely, and this increases to 1,358 and 1,300 litres respectively. Prices start at £56,740 for the SUV, or you'll need to cough up an extra £2.5k for the Sportback. Deliveries are scheduled to start this September. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
Auto Express
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New plug-in Audi Q5 e-hybrid can do 62-miles as an EV
Audi has revealed details of its fresh plug-in hybrid powertrain for the new Q5 and Q5 Sportback, which will be available to order in the UK in July 2025. Called the Audi Q5 e-hybrid Quattro, the new system can travel up to 62 miles on electric power, making it a compelling option for those who aren't quite ready to switch to an electric car, or company-car drivers who can benefit from lower tax rates. Advertisement - Article continues below Fundamentally, the hybrid system is the same as the one announced for Audi's new A5 and A6, sharing their general powertrain layout and elements. It's made up from a 247bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired to an electric motor and a 25.9kWh battery pack. The 295bhp total system output powers Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system through a new dual-clutch automatic transmission. It accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds and tops out at 155mph. With a sizeable battery, Audi has increased the AC charging potential to 11kW – which will top up the pack in around 2.5 hours from empty – but has stopped short of offering any DC fast-charging capabilities. This new powertrain's other features include much higher levels of regenerative braking through both the brake pedal and when lifting off the throttle; the strength of this can be controlled via steering-wheel paddles. Audi says that around 90 per cent of all braking can be handled by the electric motor's regen braking, helping to top up those critical EV miles. As a result, the Q5 e-hybrid is capable of up to 62 miles on battery power alone, which is 45 per cent more than the previous generation, and smack bang in the middle of its two key rivals. BMW's plug-in X3 is rated to around 50 miles from its slightly smaller 20kWh battery pack, but the Mercedes GLC has a 75-mile WLTP range. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below However, while the new Q5 is only a few miles behind the Mercedes in its electric range, the weighted C02 figure of 56-75g/km put it in a higher tax bracket than the 13g/km capable from the Mercedes. This will have an effect on the tax bill for company-car owners. There has been some compromise in terms of boot space in order to fit the battery pack. Audi quotes 438 litres for the SUV and 433 litres for the Sportback, which is a loss of around 80 litres compared with non-PHEV models. This can be expanded by flipping the second-row seats down, but as with all its key rivals, there's little in the way of under-floor storage. Powertrain aside, the plug-in Q5 is otherwise identical to the existing models, featuring the same high-specification arrangement of displays up front and a restrained, familiar design outside. Pricing in the UK starts at £56,740 for the SUV and £59,240 for the Sportback, and features a slightly higher specification as standard, including S sports suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels and upgraded LED head and tail-lights. Auto Express Find A Car can help you find the best deals out there on a new Audi Q5 or top prices on used Audi Q5 models... Find a car with the experts Car Deal of the Day: A Volkswagen Golf R Estate for less than a GTI Car Deal of the Day: A Volkswagen Golf R Estate for less than a GTI The Golf R Estate is one of the best performance estates around – and right now it's criminally cheap. It's our Deal of the Day for 9 June. Should Citroen make a new 2CV? Some say oui, others say non Should Citroen make a new 2CV? Some say oui, others say non A new Citroen 2CV could be inbound, but would this be a French fancy or a financial flop? Car Deal of the Day: A fully-loaded Jeep Avenger for under £200 per month Car Deal of the Day: A fully-loaded Jeep Avenger for under £200 per month The petrol-powered version of Jeep's charming baby SUV is our Deal of the Day for 8 June
