HORSES FOR COURSES

First things first: The 2021 Audi RS Q8 drives nothing like the platform-sharing Lamborghini Urus. I defy you to find anything about the Audi’s driving manners, engine note, shift patterns, steering, braking, design, or styling that would conjure thoughts of its Italian affiliate.

Does it drive better than an Urus? I guess that depends on the type of driver you are. And whether “better” is worth it depends on the depth of your pocketbook, as the Lambo is likely $100K upward of Ingolstadt’s edition.

In fact, the RS Q8 seems to have more similarity with Audi’s RS 6 wagon than it does the Urus. It’s the same sausage, different shapes in this corner of the Audi delicatessen.

Can the Audi match the Urus’ 3.0-second 0–60? Audi suggests a 3.8-second dash to 62 mph (100 kph) is routine. Does that mean the RS Q8 is slower than the Lambo? Not necessarily.

A few months back, the Audi Sport unit ran the RS Q8 to a 7:42.253 SUV-record lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife. (Lamborghini’s