By Mabuyane Mabuza
Photography: Shaun Mallet
It takes a special kind of car to awaken the almost dormant petrolhead in me. Since becoming a true country meisie, a lot of things go by without me even noticing. But when a truly gorgeous car pulls up at my gate for a week’s visit, my former self comes alive.
After playing hide and seek with Bra Willy from Audi South Africa, I finally got the date locked in my diary.
Love at First Sight
There it was, in blue: the SQ7 Black Edition. Plans were made with friends to paint the town red, or should I say blue? A lot of driving was done and enjoyed.
The beauty of the Audi SQ7 is that it does not need to shout to announce itself. It carries its power with quiet confidence. The lines are clean and muscular without being excessive, elegant without trying too hard. To the untrained eye, it may simply look like another premium SUV, but to a true petrolhead, it whispers something far more dangerous. I found myself having to exercise restraint for most of the time I was behind the wheel.
The Soul of a V8
That smooth power, delivered by the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine producing 373 kW and 770 Nm, is intoxicating even for an older version of me. But boy, did I have fun, within the legal limits of course.
That thunderous V8 feels gloriously old-school in the best possible way. One touch of the throttle and the entire machine comes alive with a deep, intoxicating growl that reminds you why internal combustion still has a soul. It is not just acceleration; it is theatre.
And because this was the Black Edition, every encounter with that thunderous V8 felt just a little more special.
The more I accelerated, the more convinced I became that I was not missing out on anything. The power is the kind that pushes you deeper into the seat while simultaneously awakening memories of an era when driving was more mechanical, more emotional and beautifully imperfect.
Need I say more?
Traffic Light Therapy
At the traffic lights, the SQ7 transforms from a sophisticated cruiser into a brute with impeccable manners.
Listen here, I am talking to you, my fellow petrolhead.
The launch is instant, almost violent, yet controlled with remarkable precision. As the exhaust note hardens and the SUV surges forward, it feels almost personal, as though your own chest is opening up with every roar from the quad pipes.
There is something deeply satisfying about watching the world disappear in the mirrors while the V8 sings its unmistakable anthem.
Going uphill from the N14 in Krugersdorp, leaving every car at the traffic light looking like they were standing still, was part of the excitement I am talking about.
Luxury Without the Drama
Yet what makes the SQ7 truly special is that it balances this rawness with extraordinary refinement.
Step inside and the cabin immediately cocoons you in modern luxury. The diamond-stitched leather, brushed aluminium finishes and ambient lighting create an atmosphere that feels both sporty and executive.
Audi has mastered the art of understated opulence, and the SQ7 is another example of that philosophy.
A High-Tech Command Centre
Then there is the technology, which is intuitive and seamlessly integrated into the driving experience.
The dual touchscreen setup feels futuristic without becoming distracting, while the Virtual Cockpit transforms the driver's display into a high-tech command centre.
Every detail feels engineered around the person behind the wheel.
And of course, a vehicle of this calibre deserves a soundtrack beyond the V8 itself. The premium sound system fills the cabin with rich, concert-like acoustics, whether you are listening to jazz on a quiet evening drive or something more spirited to match the engine's mood.
The Perfect Playlist
So, my choice of music for the SQ7 was 80s and 90s jams. My friends and I are mostly 70s and 80s kids, so you can imagine us jamming to the likes of Brenda Fassie, Toni Braxton, Stimela and Bongo Maffin.
The SQ7 is not merely about speed or luxury in isolation. It is about emotion. It is for those who still believe driving should stir something inside you. That feeling lingered long after Bra Willy collected his car.
Price
The Audi SQ7 Black Edition is not for the faint of wallet, you are looking at R2.5 million for a fully kitted version.
Our test vehicle ventured even deeper into premium territory, but then again, this is no ordinary family SUV.
Expensive? Absolutely. Worth every traffic-light grin? I'll let my fellow petrolheads decide.
