2022 Audi SQ7 and SQ8 switch to twin-turbo petrol V8 powertrains

The 2022 Audi SQ7 and SQ8 have dropped diesel, with the two performance SUVs switching to petrol power in the new year.

Audi has confirmed the SQ7 and SQ8 will both adopt 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol TFSI V8 powertrains, sending 373kW and 770Nm to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The new engine replaces the outgoing 4.0-litre twin-turbo diesel TDI V8, which developed 320kW and 900Nm.

While the new petrol models will reach 100km/h from a standstill in 4.1 seconds – 0.7 seconds quicker than the outgoing variants – fuel consumption increases by around 60 per cent.

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It seems the twin-turbo diesel V8 is being retired for good, with the Volkswagen Touareg R-Line dropping the engine in favour of a plug-in hybrid twin-turbo V6.

Porsche axed the diesel V8 from its Panamera line-up in 2017, while Audi pulled it from the A8 at the same time. The Bentley Bentayga used a version of the engine up until 2020.

A spokesperson for Audi Australia told Wheels further details would be announced closer to launch, with both models set to arrive in the first half of 2022.