Selected Audi dealers in South Africa are currently taking orders for the marque's new flagship models ? the Le Mans-inspired R8 V10 and the most powerful diesel-production SUV developed by Audi, the Q7 V12 TDI quattro.

The breathtaking Audi R8 V10 enters the South African market on a platform that has been successfully set by it predecessor ? the Audi R8 V8 which was named the 2008 World Performance Car and received the 2008 World Car Design award. In South Africa alone from 2007 to 2009, a total of 132 drivers have taken ownership of the Audi R8 V8.

Its 5.2-litre, ten-cylinder FSI engine, almost identical in construction to the one in the racing version and combined with its legendary quattro all-wheel drive, churns out 386kW of power and 530Nm of torque ? rocketing from zero to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds. In the version with the sequentially shifting R-tronic gearbox it reaches 200km/h in another 8.1 seconds. Even then its propulsive power hardly lessens ? sufficient to reach a top speed of 316km/h.

Standard level of specification is extensive. Apart from being the first car in the world to be equipped with all LED headlights as standard, R8 gets forged aluminium wheels in 10-spoke Y design (with 235/35 R19 tyres at the front and 295/30 R19 tyres at the rear), flared sideblades with enlarged intakes, Satellite Navigation and B & O sound system, and a 90-litre fuel tank.

Eight local Audi R8 dealers are currently taking orders for this new flagship model. Waiting lists are growing as production in Germany is limited. Indicative pricing for the Audi R8 V10 is R2.0-million with retail commencing in September this year.

Q7 conqueror

Set to storm in simultaneously is the Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro, with its 6.0-litre V12 engine generating 368kW of power and 1000Nm of torque.

But despite the power, on average it requires 11.9 litres of fuel per 100km.

As in the R8 V10, standard features are extensive, including LED daytime running lights comprising 12 LED's on the left and right bumper, Satellite Navigation System with Bose sound system, Advanced Parking System front and rear ? with camera, seven-seat configuration and electrically-folding towbar.

But one of the highlights has to be the 20-inch ceramic brakes offered as standard and described as having "racing calibre braking performance".

Indicative pricing for the Audi Q7 V12 TDI is R1.5-million with retail also commencing in September this year.