King Charles III Australia tour: Why he drives an Audi, Kyle Sandilands slams choice

KIIS FM host Kyle Sandilands has aired our one “national embarrassment” during the royal visit to Australia - but has missed a crucial detail.

The “hatchback” transporting King Charles during the Royal visit to Australia has been blasted as a “national embarrassment” by radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands.

Forget about a lavish limousine or an ornate horse-drawn carriage, the vehicle ferrying King Charles and Queen Camilla this week is an understated Audi SUV, the SQ8 e-tron.

Sandilands did not hold back on Kiss FM this morning when drawing attention to their choice of conveyance.

“Can I ask why are the king and queen being driven around Australia in an Audi hatchback. Like, what the hell is going on there?,” he said.

Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend a church service in North Sydney. Picture: NewsWire / Rohan Kelly

“Did everyone see that? The king is usually in this big custom-made Bentley and we’ve squeezed him in an Audi hatchback. What’s the go?

“That to me is a national embarrassment.”

“Why are they in an Audi hatch? Is there enough room?

“Why not the big A8, not the hatch.”

Though the Audi in use this week is not a conventional limousine, it is also a long way removed from compact hatchbacks.

Kyle Sandilands says King Charles getting around Australia in an Audi is embarrassing.

The SQ8 e-tron is an electric luxury car that costs about $188,000 drive-away in NSW.

Powered by dual electric motors at the front and rear of the car, it makes 370kW of power and 973Nm of torque, and can hit 100km/h in 4.5 seconds.

It weighs a whopping 2.7 tonnes before you factor in the potential for modifications such as armoured glass, additional radios or an upgraded climate control system capable of withstanding gas attacks.

King Charles III leaves the waiting crowd after an official reception at NSW Parliament House. Picture: NewsWire /POOL/ Jeremy Piper

A spokeswoman for Audi said “we are honoured to provide the King and Queen with the Audi SQ8 e-tron during their visit to Australia”.

“As our largest all-electric SUV, tis vehicle combines advanced technology, premium appointment, and practicality, ensuring a comfortable and secure experience for Their Majesties.”

The Royal Family has access to a wide array vehicles for official duties.

Andrew Doyle, Audi UK director and former boss of Audi Australia, confirmed in May that the brand would provide vehicles to the Royal Family for a further three years.

King Charles III waves to people waiting to see him in Sydney on October 20, 2024. Photo: David Gray – Pool/Getty Images

“I am truly honoured and delighted to be informed that Audi UK has been awarded a Royal Warrant by King Charles as a supplier of motor vehicles to the Royal Household”.

“The Royal Warrant is bestowed upon us for another three years and I couldn’t be prouder to work for the Audi brand at this time having received this news.”

Queen Camilla waves during departure from St. Thomas's Anglican Church, on October 20, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Toby Melville-Pool/Getty Images

King Charles occasionally drives an electric Audi e-tron SUV as a personal vehicle, and Prince William has been spotted behind the wheel of Audi’s e-tron GT sports sedan.

When exploring the Royal preference for high-end Audis on air for Kiss FM, radio host Jackie O said that “Charles prefers Audi due to their commitment to safety and reliability”.

Which Kyle said “sounds like a press release from Audi in all honesty”.