The last of its kind – with the Audi Q8 through Cape Town

“Are you as spontaneous as me and want to experience the new Q8 in Cape Town this weekend?”

“If it’s the Q8 e-tron, let’s talk on the phone!”

“It’s the combustion engine, but it’s a total eye-catcher!”

Three days later, I’m on a plane from Sarajevo to South Africa. Even though I only test e-cars, I was persuaded to get to know the facelift of the Audi Q8 in Cape Town and to drive the model because, as my colleagues at Audi promised me, I was going out into nature.

In addition to e-mobility, design is an absolute must for me. And there is another point to my decision. This Audi Q8 will probably be one of the last SUV models with a combustion engine to be produced.

I fly at night and arrive in time for breakfast. It’s warm and windy. I just have time to get changed before having a snack on the hotel’s roof terrace.

After a short introduction and briefing, the first test ride begins. Now you’re probably wondering how I can still be fit after the flight. Well, since I flew at night, as I mentioned before, I was able to sleep very well. And as Cape Town is only an hour away from our time zone, I didn’t have any jet lag.

“An exclusive model has been selected for you,” the Audi colleague grins at me.

It stands there proudly, the Audi Q8 TDI 2024 3l V6 with 286 hp. The sports SUV is painted in the exclusive Goodwood Green color. I like the newly designed single-frame radiator grille in mirror black. The logo has also changed. The four rings in chic gray are enthroned like a crown in 2D.

When I saw the headlights, I finally realized why Audi knew that this driving event would impress me. The HD matrix LED headlights with laser light, recognizable by the narrow blue stripe, are perfectly integrated into the front and form a harmonious surface with the radiator grille, whose curved shapes are reminiscent of the hanging harts of Semiramis, one of the seven wonders of the world.

In order not to disturb the harmony of the exterior, the exterior mirrors are also kept in elegant black.

The Audi Q8 is also a beauty from behind. Not just in terms of shapes. The new digital OLED tail lights and the redesigned rear apron with stainless steel pipes are striking.

Audi’s lighting design has inspired me for a long time. But this model raises the bar even higher. I can choose between four different new light signatures for the headlights in combination with the OLED rear lights. This means I can express my individuality not only in the interior with ambient lighting, but now also with one of the signatures on offer for the exterior.

But the rear light can do even more. Car to X Communication is the name of this pioneering function. Audi is developing a lighting language that is making its debut in this model. The Audi Q8 can communicate in case of danger. An example: I’m at a red light or in a traffic jam. A vehicle is approaching me too fast. If the vehicle comes closer than two meters, the rear lights light up red and, thanks to the sensors, signal STOP!

The green paint shines and shimmers in the sun. Goodwood Green, named after the legendary Goodwood Festival of Speed in southern England, which takes place every year on the grounds of a county town. Vintage cars worth millions line up alongside the fastest and most beautiful sports cars. I was lucky enough to take part in this unforgettable event once. That’s why I’m so fond of the green dress of my Audi Q8, which is mine for two days.

It’s time to set off. I get in. The interior is huge. An exclusive interior awaits me. Bedded on Valcona leather in diamond silver, I gaze at the large touchscreen with MMI system, which now also offers me an app store. Apple CarPlay, which allows me to listen to my favorite music in high quality thanks to Bang and Olufsen in 3D sound, is enough for me.

I press the start button. The Visual Cockpit starts. In Full HD, of course. A miniature Audi Q8 appears on the screen. Nice, I think. The head-up display is also active. I step on the gas in efficiency mode. That’s all you need in the city for now. It rolls off at a leisurely pace. The little car on the screen shows me everything I’m doing: flashing, braking, steering. Am I on track? Yes, although there is left-hand traffic here. But the brain quickly gets used to it.

I leave the city. Towards the Cape of Good Hope. The road leads directly along the coast. What can I say… Nature is incredible! I drive past Table Mountain and Lions’ Head. We continue to the southernmost point of the continent. I have to stop again and again. The vegetation is lush green, interspersed here and there with magenta, yellow or white flowers. The clear sea, shimmering in different shades of blue, is alive, the waves break on the mighty rocks or run out onto the endless sandy beaches.

I reach the national park at the Cape of Good Hope. The parking lot is a hive of activity. Many tourists from all over the world are on the move. When I get out, I am immediately asked about my car. People like the color and the radiator grille. Some tourists ask me if I’m from Germany because of the German license plate. No, I’m not, but because of its comfort, it would be the perfect companion for such an adventure that I would take it on.

I climb up the mountain to see the southernmost point of Africa. It’s hot and the climb is tough. Now I’d be glad of the air conditioning and cooling for the Q8 seats. That’s what I call whining at a high level. Once I reach the top, I am presented with an image that burns itself into my brain. A spirited sea dances beneath me in many shades of royal blue. Here, too, its mighty waves break on the high rocks. This collision of water and stone makes such a powerful noise that it echoes up to me!

A whole horde of sea lions sits on one of the rocks in the sea. I am thrilled. If someone had told me a week ago that I would be spending the next weekend here, I would have laughed at them. But as the saying goes: life is where you have not yet been. I am simply grateful to be here!

It’s hard to say goodbye to this place. I slowly drive back to the hotel. Slowly, very slowly along the coast. Everywhere I find it beautiful, I stop, get out and soak up the smells of the salty sea. Suddenly an emu walks past a few meters in front of me. Colleagues also report zebras. I’m not so lucky, but as I continue my journey a whole family of baboons crosses the road. The little ones are simply adorable, but we were warned to watch out for them as soon as we arrived. Yes, don’t feed them and always keep your distance. They are aggressive and when they want something, they go and get it. Even road signs warn of baboons!

Crazy! The drive to the hotel leads along a serpentine road. I switch to dynamic mode. The Q8 shows me just how powerful it is on the kick down. That sound that remains hidden in all other driving modes!

Thanks to the active air suspension, it also absorbs every pothole superbly and remains true to its sporty character! Perfect for some road conditions in Bosnia-Herzegovina, I think to myself. The roads here on the other side of the world are quite narrow and winding. But with the all-wheel steering I can drive safely around everything and the roll stabilization masters every bend perfectly. Overtaking is even fun, just like with an electric car! Another great feature of the Audi for Bosnia-Herzegovina, where overtaking is the order of the day.

When I arrive at the hotel – I’m the last one, of course – I’m amazed. The range is still 917 kilometers, even though I drove around 140 kilometers today, most of it uphill. My consumption is around 9 l/100 km. That’s really not much for such a large SUV. This economy is thanks to the 48-volt starter generator, which reduces consumption.

The next day I drive along the coast again. Sometimes I pass through small villages. The many cafés on the roadside are filled to capacity. And the street itself is also a hive of activity. Again and again I have to dodge passers-by or take a tight bend. No problem with the Q8. I feel completely safe with him. Dinner is waiting. I drive back to Cape Town towards the sunset. My Audi Q8 glistens in the sea water. Yes, it’s a diesel, but it’s economical thanks to the starter generator and sustainable thanks to ad blue. And yes, the trip was worth it. Not only because of the car, but also to get to know one of the most beautiful spots on our planet in one of the last SUVs with a combustion engine. What a crowning finale!

For those who prefer a little more power, we recommend the Audi SQ8 4l BiTurbo V8, 507 hp at 5500 rpm. A family car that can be quickly transformed into a sports car. With the Kick Down, it then goes from 0 to 100 in just 4.1 seconds.