AVID2300: Cameron’s Journey in Audi’s Most Powerful SUV

The Avid 2300 road trip in an Audi RSQ8

– Words by Cameron Fahey.

From the moment I slid into the driver’s seat of the Audi RSQ8, I knew the journey ahead would be something special. Christchurch faded behind me as the twin-turbo V8 settled into a low, confident rumble – like it already knew the South Island was its playground.

Day 1: The first stretch toward Wānaka was a symphony of winding passes and long, open straights. The RSQ8 ate the road effortlessly, quattro gripping each corner with the precision of a mountain goat on the cliffs above. Lake Pukaki’s unreal turquoise shimmered beside me, and as Aoraki/Mt Cook appeared on the horizon, the Audi’s panoramic glass roof made it feel like the scenery was spilling into the cabin itself.

Dropping into Wānaka, the lake was still, reflecting the mountains like a perfect mirror. I parked the RSQ8 by the waterfront, its sharp lines and hulking stance almost sculptural against the alpine calm.

Day 2: The next morning, Franz Josef awaited. The Haast Pass, one of the finest drives in the country, was a chance to let the RSQ8 stretch its legs. The engine surged with effortless power as the landscape shifted from golden tussock to rainforest dripping with moss. Waterfalls burst from cliffsides, mist hanging in the air. By the time I reached Franz Josef Glacier, the air was cool and heavy with the scent of ice and forest. The Audi looked almost futuristic parked under the prehistoric peaks, a contrast that somehow just made sense.