Audi Middle East continues to expand its product portfolio in the region with a dynamic range of new models and latest innovations at the 2016 Qatar Motor Show, which runs from January 27 till February 1. 

Audi is displaying three regional premiers at this year’s show, including the first RS model in the Q series - the Audi RS Q3.  The Audi SQ5 is also shown for the first time together with the new S8 plus which is the pinnacle of performance in the premium class sedan segment.

Also new for Qatar are the all-new Audi R8 and the all–new Audi A4, which feature the brands latest technology innovations. For selected VIP guests, the Audi A8 Security Car is on show to impress customers with an array of outstanding protection features. 

Speaking at the Qatar Motor Show, Benoit Tiers, managing director of Audi Volkswagen Middle East said: “Audi Middle East is looking forward to an exciting year in 2016 with many new models arriving in our dealerships very soon. Qatar is an important market for Audi that has shown consistent growth, and the recent opening of the new workshop for Q-Auto has ensured our customers here are given an even better customer experience.”

Audi is making a strong statement with the reveal of the Audi S8 plus. With a power output of 605 hp and a top speed of up to 305 km/h, the new Audi S8 plus delivers even more enhanced driving performance. The new top model reinforces the brand’s position in the segment of premium class sedans.

One strength of the large sedan is its lightweight design. Its body is made almost entirely of aluminium. The design is based on the Audi Space Frame (ASF) and weighs just 231 kg – which is the lightest among the competition.

The new S8 plus reveals its position as the sportiest top model of the model series in its design detailing. The standard spoiler lip on the rear lid catches the eye. It is painted in the exterior body colour, and it is also available in carbon fibre as an option. The flaps in the side air inlets and the blade on the front apron are made of carbon fibre. The mirror housings in body colour are optionally available in gloss black or carbon. The Single-frame grille and double bars are in gloss black, while the honeycomb structure of the side air inlets and radiator screen are in matt black. The trim strips on the side windows and at the rear are gleam in black. Distinctive design characteristics of the S8 plus also include darkened tail lights and a gloss black diffuser insert, which has an additional carbon surround. The dual-branch sport exhaust system branches into two oval gloss black tailpipes on the left and right. As an alternative, customers can choose the S8 styling package.

The second regional premiere on the Audi stand is the Audi RS Q3, which is the first RS model of the successful Q range of models: this car combines outstanding everyday practicality with dynamic driving performance: It takes just 4.8 seconds to complete the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. The 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo produces 340 hp and has an average fuel consumption of just 8.4 liters of fuel per 100 km.

An award-winning high-performance engine, the 2.5 TFSI, is at work under the hood of the RS Q3. This five-cylinder engine has been named “International Engine of the Year” in its class for three consecutive years.

The new Audi SQ5 is the third regional premier on the Audi stand. This sporty member of the Q5 family produces 354 hp and 470 Nm of torque. It sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h. 

The new Audi SQ5 is powered by a free-revving, supercharged, three-litter V6 engine with a displacement of 2,995 cc. Its compressor sits in the 90-degree V of the cylinder banks and is belt-driven by the crankshaft. Two rotors inside the supercharger spin at over 20,000 rpm. The air gap between them is just a few thousandths of a millimetre. The supercharger compresses the intake air to as much as 0.8 bar; two intercoolers then cool it for greater power.

The brand with the four rings also showcased the most secure Audi ever, the Audi A8 L Security car.

Audi has once again further developed its armoured high-security sedan. The car will satisfy the criteria of the class VR 9 ballistic protection standard, currently the most stringent requirements for civilian high-security sedans. – TradeArabia News Service