AUDI turned the performance SUV segment on its head in late 2016 when it launched the Audi Sport-fettled version of its second-generation Q7 large SUV, with the new SQ7 underpinned by a new twin-turbo-diesel V8.

Fighting against rivals underpinned mostly by petrol engines, the SQ7 provided a point of difference for those preferring mountains of torque and superior fuel economy.

Now, the updated SQ7 has been joined by its all new sloped-back SQ8 sibling, making for a two-pronged oil-burning assault on other performance-enhanced SUVs.

So how do Audi’s two new flagship SUVs stand up to the competition?