Road test review of Audi RS Q8 and RS 6 Avant reveals ferocious duo
While looking different, the Audi RS Q8 and RS 6 Avant are closely related, designed for the speed-loving household
Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Parking your brain outside the cinema is the best way to watch any Fast and Furious movie.
Taking the whole household along to watch the ninth iteration recently, the franchise does highlight that the appeal of quick cars is alive and well.
Coinciding with the movie’s launch was a back-to-back test of Audi’s ferocious family duo – the RS Q8 and RS 6 Avant.
Sharing a twin-turbo V8 engine, it begs the question: Which one would you choose?
Our crew put the pair through their paces with a surprising result.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
KEL: Spectacular doesn’t seem enough. They look mean and aggressive, with an edge of sophistication.
GRANT: Audi has traditionally done an impressive job of making its quickest cars look classy without giving away their under-bonnet credentials. Yet this pair sound and look the part fitting of the RS badge – which is as good as it gets with four rings on the grille.
KEL: Inside it looks equally amazing. And expensive … dare I ask?
GRANT: Neighbourhood exclusivity is almost assured with both. Drive-away, they both surpass $225,000, with the wagon version slightly more expensive.
KEL: They certainly look like they’d involve some bank manager input. That would position them among some powerful company.
GRANT: You’re certainly in the Porsche Cayman GT4 realm, along with a Nissan GT-R, BMW 8 Series and Jaguar F-Type, but they’re all coupes. Wagon rivals are near non-existent, apart from the Porsche Panamera or Mercedes-AMG C63S, while in SUVs there is also the BMW X6 M Comp, Range Rover Sport or Porsche Cayenne.
THE LIVING SPACE
KEL: Hi-tech equipment looks like part of the reason for that price tag. It’s not too dissimilar to some of the other high-end Audis we’ve driven, but these two feel a little more special.
GRANT: The triple-screen set-up, one for infotainment and satnav, another for aircon controls and a digital display for the driver: it’s a familiar formula but a classy one.
KEL: The leather trim feels premium, and I like the contrasting stitching, flat-bottom steering wheel, gloss black combined with aluminium across the dash, and Alcantara features on the doors.
GRANT: Some of those features are optional extras, and on the RS 6 we had a special grey package, which added another $2900. Yet collectively, it’s a stunning package and operationally I find it easy to use.
KEL: I found the touchscreen buttons sometimes really needed a serious press.
GRANT: They work with haptic feedback so can take a little getting used to, but I didn’t have any issues and I like the way you can change the aircon temp fast by sliding your finger up or down the control.
KEL: Cupholders in the console are among my priorities, and that’s looked after, along with door bottle holders.
THE COMMUTE
GRANT: Sharing its hardware with the Lamborghini Urus, there beats a serious heart within these two cars. Both have the same outputs of 441kW/800Nm but slightly different rev ranges for peak performance.
KEL: Those numbers mean nothing to me, but the pairing are fast and sound amazing when you plant your foot.
GRANT: The wagon can reach 100km/h in 3.6 seconds – the SUV is a shade slower. That’s near supercar territory.
KEL: There was nothing that could stick with me from the lights and they weren’t difficult to drive.
GRANT: Supercars aren’t known for comfort, but the RS 6 and RS Q8 come with air suspension and various drive modes, which make the everyday easy. Dial up dynamic and that increases the heart rate.
THE SHOPPING
KEL: If only the trolleys were as quick and luxurious as the Audis.
GRANT: Then I’d definitely be in the aisles. The Q8 has better boot space compared to the wagon, but both easily accounted for a weekly grocery shop – but the latter is easier to lift bags into.
KEL: Parking was relatively simple, although the high kerbs in the concrete jungles always give me anxiety.
GRANT: Strange, it seems you have no aversion to the retail carparks. But those gigantic rims, 23 inches on the SUV and 22s on the wagon, have low-profile rubber, which can easily be chopped if you’re not careful.
KEL: My shopping centre visits are purely for research. The 360-degree cameras used by Audi are brilliant and I love how they show exactly where you’re positioned in the park.
GRANT: The rear seats also fold 60-40, and they can be dropped from the rear of the car. That helps make fast work when loading sporting gear or other equipment.
SUNDAY RUN
KEL: While I loved the baby RS Q3, these two are on a greater level.
GRANT: This pair will belt outright sport cars for straight line speed. Even a Porsche 911 Carrera. They’re also not too bad when it comes to a bend.
KEL: I felt comfortable behind the wheel and they felt flat in the corners. Those big brakes aren’t for show either, they proved responsive and quick to slow things down quickly when required.
GRANT: My choice would be the wagon, even though the Q8 does a stellar job of keeping things measured in the bends with limited “head toss”. The lower centre of gravity delivers slightly greater control with outstanding levels of grip, aided by the all-wheel drive system that is biased toward the rear end – real drivers will love that feeling.
THE FAMILY
KEL: Both our boys were massive fans, loving the look and the sound.
GRANT: They are sporting machines without clamouring for attention. Those who know their cars are well aware of what’s under the bonnet, and they certainly got some attention from the youngsters at school pick-up.
KEL: Families who still want performance without sacrificing space and comfort will appreciate the sizeable cabins. The ride is also smooth, with only nasty ruts like railway lines upsetting things.
GRANT: Fuel bills would be a drawback, with official numbers about 12 litres for every 100km. Although during our test the wagon achieved 10.8L/100km, while the Q8 was two litres more – both dropped below 10 on the highway.
KEL: Don’t they also so something fancy by coasting on occasions?
GRANT: When not under load the mild hybrid system takes over and the cars coast, while on occasions four cylinders can also shut down to save fuel.
KEL: USB ports in the back are handy, and the Q8 also has heated seats in the back as well as the front.
GRANT: Both models come with the safety equipment I’d expect, like autonomous brakes that step in if a frontal collision is detected and the driver fails to act, lane keeping assistance and radar cruise control that also works in traffic jams.
VERDICT
KEL: Both cars are awesome with brilliant driving dynamics, and cabins that don’t discriminate against families. Choosing one is difficult, but I really like the Q8 with its higher driving position.
GRANT: It’s like picking your favourite over-achieving child. The wagon is the winner in my book for its slightly greater driving prowess, yet you wouldn’t be unhappy with either in your driveway. Come on Powerball.
How ‘dumb luck’ launched a $1 trillion opportunity
Stonepeak founder Mike Dorrell was in the right place at the right time. But the highly sought after fund manager is rewriting the rules on infrastructure.
Can Nine really change its shocking ways?
There is little confidence the same board that fundamentally allowed an appalling corporate culture and poor leadership to thrive, can also fix it.