Audi SQ7, SQ8 get gasoline versions in the USA

The German car manufacturer has made an exception for the United States, making its SUVs gas-powered for the market.

By default, all customers in Europe get their SQ7 and SQ8 with four-liter, eight-cylinder diesel engines fitted with dual turbochargers, an electric supercharger, and a starter/generator on top of all that. The complex drivetrain churns out respectable 435 hp (324 kW) along with 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque.

The U.S. version will ship late this spring armed with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 good for 507 hp (378 kW) and 770 Nm (568 lb-ft) of torque. The Audi RS Q8 packs the same engine boosted to 600 hp (447 kW) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft). The Lamborghini Urus improves upon the design even further, extracting 650 hp (480 kW) along with 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) of maximum torque.

The U.S.-spec SQ7 and SQ8 will ship with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the same AWD system as their diesel counterparts. The four-wheel steering is included in the base spec, but controlled rear differential and active stabilization are both paid features.

The gas-powered SUVs are faster than their diesel siblings, hitting 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.3 seconds rather than 4.8. The top speed stays unchanged at 250 km/h (155 mph).

There has been no announcement from Audi on whether the new SQ7 and SQ8 will eventually become available in other regions as well.