The Los Angeles Auto Show is one of the biggest dates in the automotive calendar. Hundreds of thousands of car buyers, carmakers, influencers and enthusiasts descend on the convention centre for 10 days of exhibiting the latest developments in the industry. LA - if you didn’t know - is Americas largest new-car market, so it makes a lot of sense for Audi to unveil their new models here. So, what’s in store?
Firstly, the e-tron Sportback. This new Audi offering is only the second-ever electric Audi, following the e-tron SUV - it’s going to be making its way across from LA to Europe in the first half of 2020 and it looks like another really promising electric prospect. Buyers can expect up to 280 miles of a single charge, which is what a lot of SUV drivers would currently expect from a full tank of fuel.
That 280-mile figure isn’t completely alien to us, as it is the same as the e-tron SUV - both of which share the same powertrain. A lesser-powered (and more affordable) version with a smaller battery will be made available. What's the difference between the SUV and the Sportback? Styling, mostly. The Sportback is considerably more aerodynamic with a sloped rear and more aggressive styling, but both models share the same powertrain, platform and interior features.
The Sportback goes on sale next year and prices are expected from around £65,000.
Secondly, Audi is debuting another car which looks to be a real head-turner. Meet the RS Q8. It’s the most expensive Audi to wear the RS badge ever and it pitches itself right at the top of the Q range, as the most expensive, most powerful and most desirable ‘Q’ in the showroom. Under that massive bonnet sits a 4.0 litre V8 with 600 horsepower and, interestingly, a mild hybrid system to help get the wheels turning and get the car started. Don’t expect anything that will save the planet though, this ‘mild-hybrid’ RS Q8 will still only return about 25 mpg when driven around town.
The RS Q8 is still based on the regular Q8, so you keep a nice big boot, an extremely luxurious interior and air-ride suspension to keep everything nice and comfy. Of course, this is an RS car though, so performance is paramount. Audi has said this model is the fastest SUV around the Nurburgring - faster than the Lamborghini Urus - and it will go from 0-60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 190mph when de-limited.
The RS Q8 goes on sale with a starting price of £110,000 before adding any extras. When buying brand-new you’re likely to be spending around £135,000.
Both models have been displayed for the first time in LA and both models will be on sale in the UK next year, but which would you rather? The blisteringly fast SUV or the sustainable and sensible EV? Let us know which takes your fancy in the comments section below!
