Audi’s Q8 was first introduced in April of 2019 within the local market as a response to the BMW X6 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. Since the Q8 is a sporty SUV based upon the Q7, its potential target audience may be after something with a more dynamic slant. With this in mind, join us as we compare the two models within the range to determine which is best, the petrol or the diesel.
The figures
|
|
Audi Q8 55 TFSI quattro |
Audi Q8 45 TDI quattro |
|
Engine |
3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, turbo petrol |
3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, turbodiesel |
|
Power/Torque |
250kW/ 500Nm |
183kW/ 600Nm |
|
Transmission Type |
8-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
|
Driven wheels |
All |
All |
|
Towing Capacity (braked) |
3 500kg |
3 500kg |
|
Fuel Consumption(claimed) |
9.1 L/100 km |
7.8 L/100 km |
|
0-100km/h |
5.9 seconds |
7.0 seconds |
|
Price |
R1 517 500 |
R1 573 500 |
Related: Audi Q8 45 TDI quattro (2020) review - Add torque, add a diesel
Two models, two engines
Excluding the potent RS Q8, the local Q8 range consists of two models, one diesel and one petrol. They make for a relevant comparison as both are priced similarly, both feature V6 engines, the same gearbox and are near identical in terms of the standard specification.
Related: Video Review: 2019 Audi Q8 55 vs 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
The petrol
The petrol engine in the Q8 range is a turbocharged V6 seen in several other Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) products. It provides 250 kW between 5 000 and 6 400 r/min and 500 Nm of torque between 1 500 and 3 000 r/min which is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. With a kerb weight of 2 095kg, the 55 TFSI’s claimed consumption figure of 9.1 L/100km appears impressive.
The diesel
The 3.0-litre turbodiesel in the Q8, like its petrol counterpart, is also ubiquitous within the VAG product portfolio. In this state of tune, the engine produces 183 kW of power between 2 900 and 4 500 r/min and 600 Nm of torque between 1 500 and 3 000 r/min. The diesel also features the quattro all-wheel drive system and the same 8-speed automatic gearbox. The diesel weighs in more than the petrol at 2 145kg, but is more frugal, with a claimed consumption figure of 7.8 L/100km.
Analysis
The petrol and diesel engines in the Q8 range are both impressive, but in different ways. The petrol, as is to be expected, is more accelerative and indeed, produces its peak power far higher within its rev range than the diesel. The acceleration figures are closer than expected though, with just 1.1 seconds between the 0-100km/h times, in favour of the petrol.
There is also just a 1.3 L/100km discrepancy in fuel consumption between the two, in favour of the diesel. One area where the petrol out-performs the diesel notably is in terms of top speed, where the diesel tops-out at 220 km/h versus the petrol, which can reach a claimed 250 km/h. The petrol model was also R56 000 less in terms of its list price at the time of writing, meaning that the owner of the petrol model has a fair chunk of change to play with when it comes to offsetting the relatively marginal difference in claimed fuel consumption.
Verdict
Having viewed the figures, it is clear that both of the Q8 models are quite similar in terms of what they provide, with few major discrepancies when it comes to claimed fuel consumption and acceleration. From our experience, there is an enormous difference between a diesel and a petrol engine in terms of the driving experience each provides. While the diesel offers superior torque, the petrol is noticeably more powerful and will prove the more urgent of the two. Therefore, it is the 55 TFSI that claims victory in this comparison as it suits the sporty character of the Q8 better.
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