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Audi

What: A8 
Variants: 3.0 V6, 4.0 V8
When: H2 
How Much: From S$400,000 with COE 

It’s been three years since the current A8 luxury limo debuted, so it’s time for the car’s mid-life facelift. Audi’s flagship four-door gets the usual nip-tuck treatment to keep it looking fresh, and it also gets improved Digital Matrix headlights, plus an OLED rear light bar with fancy features like flashing to warn approaching drivers if they get close too quick.

We expect the base model to be the A8 L 3.0, like what we tested with the pre-facelift here in Singapore, and the 560+ horsepower S8 high performance model should be one of the most action-packed lux limos here when it arrives.

What: E-Tron S / E-Tron Sportback S 
Variants: SUV, Sportback 
When: H1
How Much: S$500,000 with COE

On paper an S-ified version of the E-Tron electric SUV shouldn’t raise any eyebrows, but Audi has quite a bit to boast about here because the high-performance version of the E-Tron is the first EV to pack triple motors in Singapore – and almost 1,000Nm of torque. We have a full rundown in our news story on the car, but to sum up, the E-Tron S should be electrifying.

The rear axle has a motor powering each wheel, which means not just more acceleration, but also more cornering performance. Total output from the motors is 500hp and 973Nm of torque, which isn’t as quick as the E-Tron GT, but we bet the low-end grunt will be nuts. Audi claims a 0-100km/h of just 4.5 seconds, but we have known Audi to understate things before.

The car’s suspension has been tuned too, and it’s 50mm wider than a standard E-Tron. The S model has the same battery pack as the regular E-Tron, and has slightly less range, but is quoted at 360km on one charge. There’s also a Sportback model, if you like your SUVs coupe-styled. We’ve tested the normal E-Tron 55 and the E-Tron Sportback 50 if you want to know what they’re like in Singapore.

What: Q5 / Q5 Sportback 
Variant: 2.0 I4 204hp 
When: H2 
How Much: S$250,000 with COE

Audi’s mid-sized SUV, the Q5, was recently facelifted in 2021 and came here for the first time with both the regular SUV and coupe-ish Sportback versions (click to read our reviews), the sole choice being a 2.0-litre turbo with 249hp. For 2022, a less powerful and less expensive 2.0-litre turbo with 204hp is on the cards, the better to match against the BMW X3 xDrive20i and Mercedes-Benz GLC 200. 

What: RS 3 
Variants: Sedan, Sportback 
When: H1
How Much: At least S$250,000

We’ve reached an age where near super/rally-car performance is available for prices that normal people can obtain, and we’re not even talking VWs but Audis – prime example being the RS 3 which in its previous iteration was already all the car a person could want.

Naturally Audi Sport couldn’t let well enough alone with the new A3 Sedan/Sportback (launched here in 2021, tested by us as both a hatch and a sedan), 2022 sees the fastest A3 of them all return, also in hatch or sedan bodystyle. As detailed in our story on the car’s announcement, the RS 3 is even faster and tech-filled, so we expect it to be even more fun if only for the fact that the superb five-cylinder engine is retained and retuned. Oh and it can also drift.

What: SQ7 and SQ8 
Variants: 4.0 V8  
When: Q1
How Much: S$450,000 with COE

Audi’s hottened up its two largest SUVs with the medium-hot S treatment, so they will be for SUV fans who want more power and pace without resorting to RS extremes. Both cars have similar underpinnings and performance: Audi’s excellent 4.0-litre biturbo V8 provides 507hp/770Nm of torque, with quattro all-wheel drive that’s good for 0-100km/h in just 4.1 seconds and a limited 250km/h top whack (both cars).

There are plenty of options to make the cars more sure-footed and fast, including a trick electromechanical roll stabiliser as part of the advanced suspension pack. Inside, the cars pack the latest MIB3 infotainment system and Audi connect services. Given the RS Q8 costs S$625k, we expect the SQ8 to cost around S$450k to S$500k with COE, and the SQ7 to be slightly less expensive than that. 

What: R8 V10 Performance RWD 
Variants : 5.2 V10
When: H1
How Much: At least S$750,000

The Audi R8 is special, but it’s becoming even more special because of the dawn of the electric age. We knew and felt as much with the ‘non Performance’ R8 V10 RWD Spyder convertible we tested in 2021 – there’s still nothing quite like the thrill of a high-revving non-turbo engine in this age.

We argued that with its non-turbo engine and rear-wheel drive, it’s a throwback to Simpler and More Enjoyable (But Not Necessarily More Responsible) Times. The Performance model adds 30hp to that mix, and in coupe form it should be extremely thrilling in a way that’s increasingly rare. Audi’s 5.2-litre V10 – as seen in the Huracan – is still one of the best high performance engines out there. That alone should ensure a few at least will find a home with well-heeled petrolheads here. 

Page 3: BMW

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