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Audi SQ7/SQ8 2022: twin-turbo petrol V8 engine to replace diesel in Australia

 

Out goes the TDI V8 engine of the past and in with a turbocharged TFSI V8


Audi will ditch its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 diesel engine for the SQ7 and SQ8 sports SUVs for 2022, replacing it with a turbocharged TFSI petrol V8 of the same displacement.

The updated petrol V8 SQ7 and SQ8 will be released in Australia in the later half of 2022 in Australia as the last of the diesel units bow out.

The replacement 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 will produce 373kW of power and 770Nm of torque and will be able to complete the 0-100km/h sprint 0.7 seconds quicker than the diesel unit – now 4.1 seconds. 

Audi SQ7 TFSI 2022 rolling shot
The SQ7 and SQ8 will receive a twin-turbo petrol V8 engine displacing 4.0-litres

The new engine is a detuned version of the powertrain found in the RSQ8, which shares its unit with other vehicles in the Volkswagen Audi Group including the Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga and the Audi RS6 and RS7.

The above power and torque will be sent to Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system via a eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. 

The petrol V8 powertrain replaces the 4.0-litre twin-turbo diesel V8 which produced 320kW of power and 900Nm of torque. The diesel produces more torque than its petrol replacement and is considerably more fuel efficient, delivering a claimed combined consumption of 7.6L/100km – a staggering 4.5L/100km less than the new petrol.

Audi SQ8 TFSI 2022 cutaway
Along with a new engine, the SQ7 and SQ8 will receive Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system

The change results from the Volkswagen Group’s decision to move away from diesel powertrains this decade. The deletion of the diesel V8 from Audi Sport’s largest SUVs follows a similar removal from the related Bentley Bentayga luxury SUV, and the Volkswagen Touareg 310TDI R-Line.

The SQ7 and SQ8 currently cost $162,377 and $166,377 respectively, so expect the new petrol models to not be far off these price points. 

The SQ7 and SQ8 compete in the large luxury SUV segment with the likes of the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S and BMW X5 M Competition.