New Model News

500-horsepower Audi SQ7, SQ8 coming to the U.S. this spring

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Jan 15, 2020, 2:37 pm

Audi has introduced sportier versions of their popular SUVs.

Photo courtesy of Audi AG

It's safe to say that the Q7 and Q8 aren't the most invigorating models in the Audi lineup. The family haulers have proved themselves with premium interiors; high-tech comfort, convenience, and safety technology; and the type of drivability expected of the German brand. Now, they're getting a power upgrade as they prepare to land on U.S. shores.

The SQ7 is the first performance variant of the Audi Q7 three-row SUV. The SQ8 slots between the Audi Q8 and Audi RS Q8. The models are both tuned to be sportier than their Q7 and Q8 counterparts, delivering some much-needed fun behind the wheel.

2020 Audi SQ8 The Audi SQ8 isn't as powerful or sporty as the RS Q8, but it is a big step forward from the Q8.Photo courtesy of Audi AG

The 2020 Audi SQ7 and 2020 SQ8 are both equipped with a 500-horspower, twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that can get the SUVs from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. It's quick off the line thanks to its 568 pound-feet of toque. Audi is pairing each V8 with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

All-wheel drive is standard. A sport differential is standard and is able to send up to 80 percent of the vehicles' power to the rear wheels, which is helpful in inclement driving conditions. Additional tech can turn the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front wheels.

Active roll stabilization is also available.

The exterior of the 2020 SQ7 and SQ8 is adorned with differentiated with Alu-optic or Black-optic design elements, including air intake blades, side sill blades, standard silver mirror caps and quad exhaust outlets. SQ7 models wear an octagonal Singleframe grille and ride on standard 20- or available 21-inch wheel designs. The SQ8 features an Alu-optic grille surround and comes standard with 21- and has available 22-inch wheel designs.

The cabins of the model feature the usual design notes for Audi's mid-grade sport models. There's standard front S sport seats each with heating and ventilation and cross-stitched leather.

The SQ7 and SQ8 arrive at U.S. Audi dealer lots in the late spring, with final pricing and packaging to be announced closer to their on-sale dates.

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2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime features and powertrains broken down by trim level

Plug it in to get 42 miles of all-electric range.

Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.

At last year's LA Auto Show, Toyota debuted the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime, a plug-in variant of the best-selling SUV in the U.S. Now that the model is about to go on sale, the Japan-based automaker has revealed how much it will cost.

The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) will have a starting MSRP of $38,100. Toyota will offer the model in just two grades: SE and XSE. Those two trim levels denote the SUV's underlying sporty drive characteristics according to traditional Toyota nomenclature.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Hyrbid New Toyota RAV4 plug-in is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime. Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.

While most PHEVs are designed to sacrifice power for range, the RAV4 doesn't. Its power plant is able to achieve 302 horsepower and can get to 60 mph off the line in 5.7 seconds. Toyota says that time makes the RAV4 Prime the quickest four-door model in their lineup.

The RAV4 Prime has 42 miles of all-electric range. Americans travel, on average, about 30 miles per day to run errands around town so theoretically whomever owns the SUV would be able to do all their errands without using a drop of gasoline. This range also gives the SUV the distinction of having the highest all-electric range of any plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) SUV on the market.

Toyota estimates that the SUV will achieve 94 MPGe combined. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, which is also a PHEV, gets 90 MPGe. The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV gets 42 MPGe and the 2020 Volvo XC60 PHEV gets 57 MPGe. Each model listed comes standard with all-wheel drive.

All Toyota RAV4 models come equipped with standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE

The SE trim level has a unique front grille and lower front spoiler. Piano black exterior accents are featured throughout the body. The SUV rides one 18-inch painted and machined alloy wheels.

Its standard equipment list is fitting for its price point and includes heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, a 7-inch multi-information display in front of the driver, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert technology, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob with red stitching, power hatchback, 8-inch infotainment touch screen, Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

The car also comes standard with a 3-kilowatt-hour on-board charger.

The available Weather & Moonroof Package (+$1,665 upgrade) features a number of upgrades including a heated steering wheel, heated rear outboard seats, and rain-sensing windshield wipers with de-icer function.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE starts at $41,425 and builds on what is offered in the SE model. It's available with a two-tone paint scheme that pairs a black roof with select colors, including the Supersonic Red paint that joins the RAV4 lineup for the first time.

Toyota's list of features for the RAV4 Prime XSE includes 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels, vertical LED accent lights, paddle shifters, a moonroof, SofTex seats, wireless charging, ambient interior lighting, automatic dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink universal transceiver, and a 9-inch infotainment touch screen.

Toyota is also offering the model with a Premium Audio package that includes dynamic navigation and a JBL speaker system.

Available options for the XSE grade include:

  • Weather Package (+$815)
    • Heated Steering Wheel
    • Heated Rear Outboard Seats
    • Rain Sensing Wipers w/Wiper De-Icer
  • Weather and Audio Package (+$2,435)
    • Weather package plus:
      • JBL Premium Audio
      • Dynamic Navigation with 3 year trial
      • Destination Assist with 1 year trial
  • Weather with Audio and Premium Package (+$5,760)
    • Weather and Audio package plus:
      • AC (6.6kW) Enhanced Charger
      • Digital Rearview Mirror
      • 120V/1500W AC power outlet in cargo area
      • Panoramic Moonroof
      • Kick-Type Power Back Door
      • SofTex®-trimmed seats with sporty red accents and stitching
      • Bird's Eye View Camera
      • 4-way power adjustable front passenger seat with seatback pocket
      • Smart Key System on all doors
      • Perforated Heated & Ventilated Front Seats
      • Parking Assist with Automatic Braking
      • Adaptive Front Headlight System
      • Head-Up Display

Prices are manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) excluding the delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $1,120. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary. RAV4 Prime customers also may qualify for an $7,500 federal tax credit. Individual states have additional incentives that can be either be applied at time of purchase or via a rebate program, depending on the state. Individual state incentive information can be found at https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/state.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid goes on sale this summer.

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It's official! Ford Mustang Mach 1 is making its long-awaited return for 2021 model year

Ford is bringing the Mustang Mach 1 back.

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

It was from a stage in Detroit a few years ago that Ford's then-CEO Mark Fields stood in front of several thousand journalists and proclaimed that the Mach 1 name was making a return. Fast forward half a decade and one new CEO and today the company is making it official.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 will feature a 5.0-liter V8 engine giving global customers the option of buying a vehicle with a name that first shined during the golden age of muscle cars. Ford does not directly sell the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 in Europe so this new model could fill a hole in that market.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 teaser spy photo Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

"Mach 1 has a special place in Mustang history, and it's time for this special edition to claim the top spot in our 5.0-liter V8 performance lineup and reward our most hardcore Mustang enthusiasts who demand that next level of power, precision and collectability," said Dave Pericak, director, Ford Icons. "Like the original, the all-new Mustang Mach 1 will be true to its heritage, delivering great looks and as the most track-capable 5.0-liter Mustang ever."

The Mustang Mach 1 first debuted in 1969. It carved a niche for the buying public - better performance than the Mustang GT with a price tag that made it cheaper the the Shelby or Boss grades.

"Mach 1 has always been that bridge between base Mustangs and the Shelby models," said Ted Ryan, heritage brand manager, Ford Archives. "From a style and handling perspective, the original Mach 1 managed to stand out as unique, even in the Mustang lineup – and as the name implies, it could really move."

Ford changed up the Mustang Mach 1 in 1971 and 1974 even offering an available Rallye Suspension Package. Then, it disappeared.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 teaser spy photo Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

The name was revived for the 2003 and 2004 model years and featured a blend of modern power and 1970s-era nostalgic design. Its Mach 1 handling suspension with larger Brembo front-disc brakes improved on-road performance, while its matte black spoiler and hood stripe helped the coupe standout.

While Ford hasn't released many details of the new coupe model, it did release some teaser images including a close-up of the car's wheel. In that photo, the Mustang Mach 1 is wearing Michelin Radial X Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires sized 305/30ZR19 (98Y)($442.70 each on TireRack.com right now) that fit on 19-inch wheels. The car is wearing red Brembo calipers and five-double Y-spoke black wheels.

The car looks to have unique front and rear fascia though most of the body of the vehicle is straight from the 2020 Ford Mustang playbook. The two circular objects in the front of the car on the unique grille are a new addition, likely for additional engine bay cooling however there's some historical precedent for those spots to inhabited by lights. There's also a sizable spoiler and quad exhaust that look like they're straight from the GT500.

Seventeen years later, the all-new 2021 Mustang Mach 1 is set to return. on official debut date or pricing has been announced.

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