padraic deane
With the e-tron, Audi entered the world of e-mobility in 2018, marking the start of the electric future for the German brand.
Since then, the model has been a leader in the electric luxury-class SUV segment - and the new Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron are now building on this.
Both versions are now available from dealerships nationwide, with a starting price of €86,400.
Audi's new SUV and crossover impress with their optimised drive concept, improved aerodynamics, higher charging performance, and battery capacity and increased range of up to 582 kilometres in the SUV version and up to 600 kilometres in the Sportback version. Significant changes, especially at the front of the vehicle, lend the new flagship SUV a fresher appearance.
With a vehicle length of 4.915 metres, a width of 1.937 metres, and a height of 1.619 metres for the Sportback and 1.633 metres for the SUV, the Q8 e-tron offers high levels of space and comfort. Its wheelbase of 2.928 metres allows for a lot of legroom in the back seats too. It has a generous storage volume of 569 litres for the SUV and 528 litres for the Sportback. There are also 62 litres available in the front storage area.
For both body shapes, three drivetrain variants with electric all-wheel drive can be selected. With their two motors, the base models of the Audi Q8 50 e-tron and the Audi Q8 50 Sportback e-tron generate 250 kW in boost mode and 664 Nm of torque, and they get a range of up to 491km (SUV ) and up to 505km (Sportback ), in accordance with the WLTP.
With their two motors, the Audi Q8 55 e-tron and Audi Q8 55 Sportback e-tron generate 300 kW in boost mode and 664 Nm of torque. Their ranges are up to 582km for the SUV and up to 600km for the Sportback (WLTP ). Their top speed, and that of the Q8 50 e-tron is limited to 200 km/h.
Meanwhile, the top-end Audi SQ8 e-tron and Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron are powered by three motors. Their boost performance amounts to 370 kW and 973 Nm of torque. The range of the S models is up to 494km for the SUV and up to 513km for the Sportback. Top speed is 210 km/h.
Two battery sizes can be selected. The battery of the Q8 50 e-tron has a storage capacity of 89 net kilowatt-hours (95 gross kWh ), while the more powerful versions of the Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron have 106 net kWh (114 gross kWh ).
Thanks to an adjustment to the battery management system, Audi says the battery capacity usable for customers has increased as well. At a high-powered charging station, the Audi Q8 50 e-tron reaches a maximum charging performance of 150 kW. With the Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron, the maximum charging performance increases to up to 170 kW.
The big battery can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent during a roughly 31-minute charging stop - this corresponds to a range of up to 420 kilometres. At an AC charging station or wallbox, the Audi Q8 e-tron charges at up to 11 kW.
According to Audi, the Q8 50 e-tron can completely charge in around nine hours and 15 minutes (22kW: around four hours and 45 minutes ) using alternating current. The big battery’s numbers are around 11 hours and 30 minutes at 11 kW and six hours at 22 kW.
The Audi Q8 e-tron comes standard with the plug and charge function. At compatible charging stations, the vehicle authorises itself when inserting the charging cable and activates the charging point. Billing happens automatically.
Inside, the Q8 e-tron uses the MMI touch response operating system. Its two large high-resolution displays – the top one with a 10.1-inch diagonal and the bottom one with an 8.6-inch diagonal – replace nearly all conventional switches and knobs. Beyond operation with the two touch displays, a lot of features can be activated through natural voice control.
The digital display and operating concept in the Audi Q8 e-tron is rounded out by the standard Audi virtual cockpit with full HD resolution. Specific graphics depict all the important aspects of electric driving, from charging performance to range. A heads-up display can be added as an optional extra. The car also has an integrated WiFi hotspot for the passengers.
