10 Days With The Audi SQ7

Audi SQ7 – Introduction

So far, the Audi SQ5 was my favourite everyday car. But a couple of days ago, I picked up the brand new Audi SQ7 – pretty curious if it will change my mind.

So why am I not talking about the SQ5 and not the Q7?

  1. I didn’t drive the Q7 yet
  2. The former Audi Q7 didn’t attract me a lot (it somehow appeared big and clumsy & the consumption was huge)

Audi SQ7 – Pick Up ¦ Day 1 – 3

Audi just launched their brand new model: The Audi SQ7. My excitement was high, simply because it’s now the biggest Diesel engine you can get in an SUV.

Wait, seriously?

Audi is now using a 4 litre V8 Diesel engine – triple turbo charged. So the acceleration is very intense, despite the SUV is 2,3 tons heavy.

The Audi SQ7 in figures?

  • 900nm of torque (that’s totally insane and more than many supercars)
  • 435bhp
  • 4,8 seconds from 0-100

I’m reading triple turbo charged, how does that work?

Yes, there is an additional electric compressor (EAV in German), this particular addition supports the engine during the start & speed-up. An interesting method to get rid of the famous turbo lag.

EAV – Here is how it works:

Audi SQ7 – The Driving ¦ Day 3 – 8

Let me tell you, this is a new driving experience. I’m reviewing a lot of cars these days, but the Audi SQ7 kicked me into a new dimension. Why that?

The new Audi SQ7 is almost self-driving

24 (!) assistant tools are part of the SQ7. Let me list a few really interesting features:
  • Cruise- and distance control with a logic that analyses the signs and automatically adjusts your speed
  • The car takes over the steering & speed in traffic jam until 65km/h
  • Included lane departure system
  • Auto-breaking during dangerous situations
  • Control of the upcoming road and detection of pedestrians and animals in the night
  • Auto-parking
I’m pretty sure I could keep counting the endless options of the SQ7, it’s definitely the most advanced car I drove so far. But there is another benefit.

Audi SQ7 – Comfort & Space

Yes, Audi’s new SUV is huge! 5 meters long and 2,2 tons heavy – very spacious. An ideal everyday car for a family with 2-3 kids. I’m 6.4 tall and I still have a whole arm of space when sitting in the back, brilliant!

Audi SQ7 – My Résumé ¦ Day 8 – 10

Floating is the word that describes the driving experience with the Audi SQ7. There is a lot of power available if you need it, but usually you just float. There is really a lot of space and comfort, the perfect car for your holidays. The self-driving is impressive and also for a ‘behind-the-wheel-enthusiast’ a very cool feature. The colour you’re seeing here is called ‘sepang blue’ & you can get this model with all the fancy options for 145’000 CHF.

Any disadvantages?

Well, Audi claims the consumption is around 7 litres diesel, I didn’t make it under 10 though. You might have some difficulties to find a parking space in the city – but the assistant can fix that too. 145k is not cheap, but still the car delivers a lot of value.

Would I buy it?

Well, we don’t have kids yet. So it’s a bit ‘too big’ for us. But with a family? Absolutely yes.
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Lion’s Run – Our First Supercar Rallye With The Nissan GT-R

Lion’s Run – Introduction

First things first: This event has absolutely nothing to do with any sort of race or similar. It’s an event where like-minded people meet to share a passion: supercars.

The Lion’s Run route went from Vienna to Zagreb, Split, Opatija, Trieste and finally Monaco. It’s definitely a journey to meet fantastic people with a lot of entrepreneurship.

6 Reasons To Join The Lion’s Run

Certainly, there are a few reasons why you should put a supercar rallye on your bucket list:

  1. You will meet great people – the perfect place to expand your network.
  2. It’s exciting and a lot of fun.
  3. The tour goes through several cities, you will see and experience a lot.
  4. You can share your supercar passion.
  5. It’s a lifetime memory.
  6. There are fans and car spotters waiting for you everywhere!

Lion’s Run With The Nissan GT-R

Such a rallye requires a matching car. And as a supercar fan, I absolutely wanted to put the Nissan GT-R under the ultimate test. A tour through Europe with supercar enthusiast seemed to be the perfect thing to do.

My First 3 Hours With The Nissan GT-R

Our day started with picking up the Nissan GT-R in Zürich – direction Vienna. Of course, we were super excited to drive it, simply because it was the first time with the GT-R. The car looks immensely cheeky,  powerful, yet fascinating for every supercar lover – a typical Japanese beast that attracts a lot of attention.

But honestly, I spent the first 3 hours in this car looking for a button that makes it exciting. But there is no button, the facelifted 2017 Nissan GT-R sounds like a hairdryer. But let me explain more…

A calm sound doesn’t make it slower, right?

Nope, the new GT-R is staggering fast. The numbers are almost scary:

  • A twin-turbo charged V6 sits underneath this beast
  • The 2017 GT-R is now upgraded to 570hp & 637nm of torque
  • It runs from 0-100 within 2,8(!) seconds

It also feels really fast, and on top of that you don’t get how quick you’re actually going. Driving a speed of 140 km/h feels like you’re going 100 km/h. Watch your speedometer carefully!

What else has been changed?

We talked about this, there is more power. Else, the Nissan GT-R has been made much more comfortable (might be the reason it doesn’t produce sound).

  • Whilst the former GT-R looked like a Playstation inside, the new model is sorted and clean
  • Steering is incredibly direct, ideal for a day on the race track
  • Even though it’s 1750kg heavy, the traction is absolutely perfect
  • The GT-R now contains nice leather seats with stitches
  • A great working satnav (I’m really impressed)

Cool Facts About The Nissan GT-R

  • The Katsura Orange looks fantastic
  • The whole design and look is super cool
  • It works like a Swiss watch movement and doesn’t break down under tough pressure
  • You will have a lot of attention, fans filming and taking pictures

The Disadvantages Of The GT-R

  • There is no exhaust sound
  • The consumption is huge, we were always the first ones on the petrol station

So, what changed my mind?

Yeah, like I said… It din’t excite me the first few hours. But the longer we drove it, the more fun it was. But there might be another explanation for my mind-change:

Nissan GT-R Tuning – By Markus Brömmler

I met the one and only expert when it comes to tune a Nissan GT-R. And he gave me his GT-R for a nice route. Markus changed my mind of the GT-R world from scratch. The experience we had with his GT-R was my craziest in lifetime.

But why that?

Well, his GT-R sounds like an unleashed beast that was buried for a million years. And it’s much more powerful. He can actually boost it up to 950bhp… insane.

 

Nissan GT-R by Brömmler – Specifications

Specifications
Broemmler‐Motorsport GT‐R Clubsport II

Power
Adjustable from 700‐950 HP

Engine
Reinforced pistons, connecting rods and engine bearings

Turbocharger
Clubsport turbocharger (Broemmler‐Motorsport Spec) like GT3

Fuel system
1.050 ccm injektors, 2 bigger fuel pumps

Exhaust
Bigger catted downpipes (Broemmler‐Motorsport Spec)
Empty Y‐pipe (Broemmler‐Motorsport Spec)
Exhaust with 2 flaps system (Broemmler‐Motorsport Spec) 88‐102 mm

Transmission
1.000 HP clutch, upgraded full gear set and AWD clutch

Software
Ecutek based Clubsport II engine map (Broemmler‐Motorsport Spec)
Ecutek based GT‐R traction control (Broemmler‐Motorsport Spec)

Suspension
KW Clubsport version, SPL arms front & rear, SuperPro bushes

Safety
Clubsport rollcage (Broemmler‐Motorsport Spec)

Ferrari 488 GTB – Did It Beat My 458 Experience?

Ferrari 488 GTB – Introduction

Few days ago, I joined the Ferrari team to drive the Ferrari 488 GTB. Interestingly, I just drove the Ferrari 458 Spider before – a great opportunity to compare the two models.

The Italian supercar manufacturer is all about passion and excitement. I’m pretty sure it’s the first brand name every kid knows –  there is so much fascination and honestly, I’m also in love with most of their models.

Ferrari 488 Pictures

Ferrari collection

villa honegg events

Ferrari 488 GTB – What does it actually mean?

GTB stands for Gran Turismo Berlinetta, it’s the successor of the Ferrari 458. The 488 GTB not only delivers unparalleled performance, it also makes that extreme power exploitable and controllable to an unprecedented level even by less expert drivers.

So, I assume it’s quicker than the 458?

Yep, quite a lot quicker! But let’s see what changed:

  • A unique powertrain sits under the 488, a twin-turbo charged 3.9 litre V8 mid-engine
  • Engine and vehicle response times  (0.8 S and 0.06 S respectively) give the 488 GTB a unique character
  • The 488 GTB delivers 670 bhp at 8,000 rpm with a specific power output of 172 bhp/l, a new record for a road-going Ferrari, maximum torque of 760 Nm in seventh gear

That’s all Greek to me…

The Ferrari 488 GTB runs from 0 – 100 km/h within 3.0 seconds and 0 – 200 within 8.3 seconds with a dry weight of 1370 kg. Really impressive and in many ways: scary numbers. My humble opinion? The Ferrari 488 GTB looks tremendously good and handles in beast-mode. Considering you’re driving a Ferrari, the 488 feels a bit less complicated than other models.

ferrari schweiz

ferrari 488 gtb track

ferrari 488 gtb pictures

How can I differentiate it from the Ferrari 458?

Yes, a question I’m being asked from time to time. It’s not easy for a non-expert to tell the difference between a Ferrari 458 & the 488 GTB. But those two details will make it a lot easier for you to understand which is which:

  1. Its large signature air intake scallop
  2. The double exhaust plus LED lights

What else changed?

The 488 GTB is slightly larger (4,1 longer & 1,5 wider), aerodynamics have been improved & the front is characterised by the dual grille opening which channels air into the two radiators. There is also a double front spoiler which, on close inspection, looks very like those of the F1 single-seaters.

Ferrari 488 GTB – The Interior

I have to admit, I expected a bit more here. I hoped they improved the interior, but that’s simply not the case. The radio, its sat-nav and the buttons still look and feel like you sit in a Fiat. I’d expect a bit more these prices.

Ferrari 488 interior

Talking about the price, how much is it?

Ferrari 488GTB – CHF 257.300
Ferrari 488Spider – CHF 285.929

Note


The term ‘Spider’ or ‘Spyder’ (dependent what brand you’re driving) means you’re driving a convertible car.

So, did it beat my experience with the 458?

Yeah absolutely, the 488 GTB is a change for the better. It’s much more powerful, agile and responsive. Another car on my bucket list.
Ferrari Spider
ferrari logo red

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