Only a few years ago, it looked like the writing was on the wall for the V-8 engine, the enduring symbol of gasoline-fueled automotive prowess and performance. Changing circumstances in the auto world have given the old metal block a more-than-temporary reprieve, and brands such as Audi have retooled the V-8 engine with an injection of technology to produce fearsome power. And, growls of exhaust that are anything but electro-synthetic.
That noise-and-guts combination is one of the key draws for the awesome Audi SQ8, the 500-horsepower variant of the company’s five-passenger-only, coupe-styled ultra-SUV. With a $98,000 starting point, the SQ8 and its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 provide an utterly audacious 568 pound-feet of pull that’s ideal for Colorado’s altitude, plus full-throttle sounds that are unforgettable. The SQ8’s price tag is also a relative bargain compared to the even faster, 631-hp RS Q8 edition.
Upgrade it with absolutely massive, 23-inch multi-spoke wheels and four of the widest, stickiest summer tires this side of a Corvette, and the SQ8 gains additional cornering capabilities that belie its 197-inch-long, 5,280-pound stature. All-wheel steering and an adaptive air suspension, combined with Quattro all-wheel drive, help you carve and careen like nobody’s business. The 15.8-inch front brakes and optional red brake calipers also do magical work in taming all that forward movement.
In-town travel can be a bit brisk, thanks to the Audi’s hyper-rigid chassis, though the vehicle’s sport seating is not quite as outrageously stiff as other higher-than-high-performance German SUVs. A gleaming, low-drama interior with a double stack of navigation and air control touchscreens is brightened with the Sport package’s red seatbelts. You’ve also got about 34 cubic feet of cargo room behind the comfortable, reclining rear seats, adequate for a high-speed weekend trip.
For more stats about the 2026 Audi SQ8, pick up the print issue of Denver Life Magazine at local newsstands or subscribe to the digital version.
