But earlier than you propose that expedition to Saudi Arabia (residence to the Dakar Rally, as a result of who wants geography?), don’t anticipate the Q8 e-tron Dakar to supply off-road capacity to match a Toyota Land Cruiser or Jeep Wrangler. Instead, Audi has added a soupcon of additional go-anywhere capacity with out compromising on premium sheen.

The air suspension-controlled trip top is raised by 65mm in comparison with the common automobile in most drive modes, and 30mm increased in off-road mode, and the monitor is marginally wider (principally to permit for chunky wheel arches) It affords entrance and rear method angles of 21 and 28 levels, a ramp angle of 19 levels, and a wading depth of 300mm. Then there are the knobbly tyres: M+S rated 18in 265/60 R18 General Grabber AT3, fitted to new-to-Audi 8J x18in rims. But that’s about it: there’s no added underbody safety.

The result’s a automobile with a good degree of off-road capacity, as demonstrated with an prolonged and dusty check loop in southern Oman that featured gravel, mud, sand, steep elevation, the odd water crossing and loads of jagged rocks.

The off-road tyres and raised trip top give the automobile a floaty really feel that provides a touch of character lacking from the usual model, and at velocity on unfastened gravel it slides round sufficient to entertain. On steeper sections it maintained composure whereas the moment entry to 490lb ft of electrical torque lets you make quick work of steep contains or small boulders, and is well sufficient to compensate for the not-insubstantial weight of this huge batteried 2.5-tonne behemoth.