Audi RSQ8: Like a god on wheels:
Next week marks the Mail & Guardian’s annual God Edition and during one of our daily diary meetings, our acting news editor Sheree Bega jokingly asked me how do we write a motoring story for that edition?
I was puzzled until I received the Audi RSQ8 on test last week. When I received it, the look and feel just made me think that this is like a god on wheels.
I just went through a very tiring but rewarding month of Ramadan and although I am aware that the effort and sacrifices I made during this month will be rewarded in the hereafter, I am also certain that this vehicle was a small prize for Eid.
It’s not every day that I drive to the mosque and have all eyes on me. It’s not something I like but when you are driving something that looks this good and makes a deafening noise, it’s something that you have to accept.
Looking at the RSQ8 from the outside, you can already tell that it is a machine just by the large mean grille that it comes equipped with in the front.
The vehicle also has customisable daytime-running lights that can be adjusted according to your mood through the central screen inside the vehicle.
The blacked out Audi badges on the front and back add to the mean feeling the car gives off and the huge 23 inch alloys that the car sits on just adds an added monstrous presence to the vehicle.
At the back, there is a lightbar that stretches between the two tail lights with a formula-one inspired brake light.
The RSQ8 also has frameless windows and soft-close doors to make sure that no one ever bangs the doors of this beast. On the inside, it’s everything you expect from an Audi. Let’s start with the seats. The RSQ8 gets RS sport seats plus in Valcona leather with honeycomb stitching that are heated, ventilated and have a massaging function.
The interior also has a lovely dashboard that features a blend of leather, alcantara and carbon fibre. The infotainment system which is well integrated into the dash with a separate screen below it used to operate the climate.
The two-tone ambient lighting adds to the car’s sporty feel from the inside and you can also enjoy a panoramic sunroof that stretches all the way from the front to the back.
What surprised me most was how spacious and comfortable this vehicle was both in the front and the back. The back seats have ample space for three passengers and that is why I feel that Audi found the perfect balance between comfort and performance.
But let’s get to driving the car. The Audi RSQ8 is built on the same platform as the Lamborghini Urus. Both vehicles are produced on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform, which is also shared with the Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Bentayga.
It also shares the same 4 litre twin-turbo V8 engine with the Urus. This engine delivers 471kW of power and 850Nm of torque.
That means that this vehicle, which has a curb weight of almost 2.5 tonnes will go from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds.
It’s also very easy to get carried away with it, because the vehicle just pushes off the mark with no remorse. Before you know it you are driving at the national speed limit, but it certainly feels like you are travelling at 60km/h.
Thanks to the RS-tuned adaptive air suspension with controlled damping, the RSQ8 provides a good balance between comfort driving and thrill-seeking speed.
Something that also speaks to the luxury of the vehicle is that while the outside world might hear that 4 litre V8 engine growl, the inside feels soft and silent when cruising in comfort mode.
The speed is always there if you need it but boy does it pack a punch. This vehicle throws you back when you put the pedal to the metal.
The only downside is the fuel consumption but then again, it is a performance SUV. Depending on which mode you drive in, it will fluctuate,but I mostly drove the car in comfort mode and averaged 13 litres/100km. Use the RS modes and you could be above 15 litres before you know it. That is not a wise move in today’s world.
Pricing and verdict
Ultimate SUV performance coupled with luxury does come at a whopping price of R3 266 100.
But is it worth it? Normally, I’m very sceptical about vehicles that come with a price tag this high but I have to hand it to Audi in every department. The brand has put out a performance SUV that has all the bells and whistles, is built on the same platform as the Urus and shares the same engine but comes in at almost half the price and is more practical for everyday driving.
In that sense, it is definitely safe to say that it is a bargain for what you are getting.
The Audi RSQ8 is a finalist for South African Car of the Year 2026.
A hotel room that can drive 1 000km:
When Leapmotor was introduced to South Africa in October 2025 it was more than just a new Chinese brand being thrown into the market. Its joint venture with Stellantis launched the C10, which introduced South Africans to a new form of new-energy vehicles (NEV).
The C10 is a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), which means it uses both a petrol engine and electric motor but the petrol engine will never be used to move the vehicle’s wheels. Instead, the engine acts only as a generator to replenish the battery and keep the electric motor running, which is what supplies power to the wheels and moves the vehicle.
Leapmotor promoted it as a constant flow of smooth electric driving, without the worries, like range anxiety. While the battery can be charged at a charging station, the engine can also be refilled. Leapmotor claims the battery will give drivers a range of 145km. The combined driving range is 970km.
While the concept of the REEV can help South Africans come to grips with the transition to NEVs and the range can take you as far as you need to go, there were a few pros and cons.
The frustrations
This is where the hotel room vibes begin. For starters, there is no key to open the Leapmotor C10 REEV. Instead, there’s a key card that uses the nearfield communication (NFC) panel on the vehicle. While that might sound cool, it could have been if there had been multiple NFC panels. However, the only NFC panel is on the driver-side mirror, making it inconvenient to open and lock the car. You can’t even open the boot without placing the card there.
Leapmotor, however, has said the app, which you can download on your phone, will resolve this issue. But there are other issues with the key card. It has to be placed on the NFC panel inside the car for it to start. The other frustration I had, which is not exclusive to the C10 REEV, was that there were only four buttons inside and those control the automatic windows. Everything else had to be operated through the larger-than-life infotainment screen. Whether it’s adjusting mirrors, opening the fuel tank or opening the boot from inside the vehicle.
What got me even more mad was that the car has camera and sensor technology that detects driver distraction and then makes a noise. But because everything had to be operated through the infotainment system, I had to keep looking at it and then was told off by the car.
Luckily, I could switch that off.
The pros
There’s some great things about the vehicle too. For starters, the drive is exceptional. The feeling of constant electric driving means you experience a smooth-sailing drive.
The vehicle has 158kW of power and 320Nm of torque and because it is only the electric motor moving the wheels, the torque delivered is instant, so it is easy to get around vehicles when you need to. The fact that you also have 970km of range on a full tank and full charge keeps you comfortable. Best of all is that even when I was using fuel to charge the battery, my fuel consumption sat at 6.9 litres/100km.
The Leapmotor C10 REEV probably has one of the best interiors on the market. Our top-of-the-range variant came in a camel brown interior that screamed premium. The way the air vents are structured and how the ambient lighting shines at night with the addition of the panoramic moon roof makes it all come together to create a pleasant place.
However, the coolest aspect is another hotel room feature. The car has “nap mode” that reclines the front seat almost 180 degrees, closes the cover of the moon roof and plays rain sounds to help you fall asleep.
Who needs to book a hotel room after driving 970km in this vehicle?
Pricing and verdict
While it took me some time to get over the frustrations, the Leapmotor C10 REEV’s good outweigh its bad. With new REEV technology, a stylish interior and some cool features, the starting price of R759 900 for the Style variant and R799 900 for the Design variant make this another Chinese vehicle worth the money.
The Leapmotor C10 REEV is a finalist for South African Car of the Year 2026.
The future of the forecourt is not fuel-led – diversify or decline: Nedbank:
South Africa’s forecourt sector is facing pressure as declining fuel demand, rising costs, and intensifying competition reshape the industry. Insights from the latest Forecourt Retail Report 2025/2026, presented at a Nedbank-hosted media briefing, highlight how convenience retail is fast emerging as the sector’s primary growth engine.
The session began with an economic overview by Nedbank Economist, Crystal Huntley, who outlined how domestic and global factors are shaping the fuel and retail landscape. She noted that South Africa’s economy is showing early signs of recovery, supported by easing inflation, lower interest rates, and improvements in electricity supply, rail performance, and port efficiency. Consumer spending is gradually returning and GDP growth improved in 2025, pointing to a slow but steady recovery.
However, Huntley cautioned that global risks remain significant. Geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz – which carries roughly 20% of global oil supply – have pushed oil prices higher and reintroduced inflationary pressure. ‘Domestic conditions are improving, and consumer activity is recovering, but global risks, particularly oil, continue to pose a major threat to stability,’ she said. ‘While inflation is easing, rising oil prices and a weaker rand could push it above the SARB’s target range, as we saw during the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. That episode illustrates how rapidly fuel-driven inflation can spill over into broader price increases and influence consumer behaviour.’
Fuel consumption declined by 6.3% in 2024, highlighting structural shifts in demand. Huntley stressed that forecourt operators should plan for volatility, as price shocks, demand fluctuations, and cautious consumer spending will shape the market. ‘Even with some recovery, consumers remain highly price-sensitive, and margins will stay tight. Growth will need to come from diversification and operational efficiency,’ she added.
A shrinking pie amid growing competition
Nicola Allen, Forecourt Analyst at Trade Intelligence, said that this is not simply a cyclical downturn. ‘We are seeing long-term behavioural and economic shifts – ranging from constrained consumers and hybrid working models to improved fuel efficiency – that are fundamentally reducing demand.’
Despite declining fuel consumption since 2019, the number of forecourts continued to grow, increasing market saturation and intensifying competitive pressure on profitability. Industry stakeholders report that some forecourts – particularly in major metros – have experienced volume declines of 15 to 20% since the Covid-19 pandemic, with operators effectively ‘cannibalising’ one another in an already constrained market.
Additional challenges include rising operational costs, unregulated competition from informal and foreign-owned retailers, and illicit fuel trading, all of which further erode margins and sustainability.
Against this backdrop, forecourt convenience retail has emerged as a key growth driver. The segment grew by 4% to R40 billion in 2024, now contributing 15% to South Africa’s FMCG primary convenience channel. As fuel sales declined by 4.2%, rising convenience sales have helped stabilise overall forecourt income, with revenue per litre continuing to increase.
‘Forecourt stores are no longer just an add-on to fuel – they are becoming a central pillar of the business,’ said Allen. ‘For many operators, they represent the most viable path to sustained growth.’
Changing shopper behaviour reshapes the forecourt model
Research shows that forecourt stores are becoming credible retail destinations, with 46% of shoppers not purchasing fuel. Notably, over 1 in 5 consumers now see them as a destination rather than a stopgap, especially younger, late-night, and township consumers.
However, while convenience remains the core appeal, forecourts increasingly compete with supermarkets, quick-service restaurants, and delivery platforms, with a clear edge for on-the-go missions like snacks, meals, and travel essentials. Although regular forecourt store shoppers accept the ‘convenience at a premium’ trade-off, for non-shoppers, price perception remains the key barrier.
To remain competitive, forecourt operators are increasingly investing in partnerships, food services, and customer experience. Collaborations with major retailers and quick-service restaurant brands are expanding while food offerings, from barista coffee to hot meals, are becoming central to driving footfall and profitability.
Strategic merchandising, value-added services, and loyalty programmes are playing an increasingly important role in attracting and retaining customers, while banks and fuel retailers are leveraging partnerships and rewards programmes to influence where motorists refuel.
‘Every square metre of the forecourt is now an opportunity for attention,’ Allen explained. ‘Operators need to deliver a compelling, differentiated experience that is right for their specific catchment area and target market’.
Looking ahead: From fuel stations to mobility hubs
Looking ahead, the forecourt will continue to evolve. While electric vehicle sales more than doubled in 2024, they still account for a small share of the market, and infrastructure constraints are likely to slow near-term adoption. Although fuel will remain a key revenue driver in the short term, its contribution is expected to decline as convenience retail and alternative energy gain importance, shifting forecourts towards integrated mobility hubs.
‘The forecourt of the future will be defined by diversification,’ said Karen Keylock, National Retail Franchising Manager at Nedbank Commercial Banking. ‘As fuel volumes come under pressure, growth in convenience retail, strategic partnerships, and technology are creating new pathways to sustainable profitability. From a funding perspective, operators who adapt, diversify, and differentiate will be best positioned for long-term success.
At Nedbank, we offer more than just funding – we provide insight. As demonstrated today, we leverage our strategic partnerships to access deep sector intelligence, enabling us to support our clients to grow with confidence, manage risk effectively, and capitalise on emerging opportunities.’
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