New 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron unveiled as range-topping electric SUV
Audi has thoroughly revised its e-tron SUV with better efficiency and a new look
The e-tron SUV was the oldest pure-electric model in Audi’s lineup, launching in 2018. Now it’s received a facelift, but it’s also got a new name - meet the Q8 e-tron.
The Q8 e-tron represents a significant update to Audi’s top-of-the-line electric SUV. The use of the ‘Q8’ name also ensures it won’t be confused with Audi’s rapidly growing EV SUV lineup. As before (and like most of Audi’s internal-combustion-engined SUVs), there are two bodystyles to choose from, a regular full-size model and a more rakish coupe Sportback version. Both are on sale now, with the entry-level model starting at £68,585. Audi expects the first UK deliveries by April 2023.
Kicking off the range is the Q8 e-tron 50 Sport which features an upgraded 95kWh battery with up to 281 miles of range for the regular SUV and a claimed 290 miles for the more aerodynamic Sportback. The Q8 e-tron 55 and SQ8 e-tron both use a larger 114kWh battery. For the 55, which starts from £77,085, this delivers up to 330 miles in the SUV and 343 miles in the Sportback, while the £98,295 SQ8 e-tron does up to 284 or 295 miles for the SUV or Sportback versions respectively. This represents an increase of more than 73 miles over its e-tron S predecessor.
The entry-level Q8 e-tron 50 Sport kicks off the range, and it features an upgraded 95kWh battery with up to 281 miles of range for the regular SUV and a claimed 290 miles for the more aerodynamic Sportback. The Q8 e-tron 55 and SQ8 e-tron both use a larger 114kWh battery. For the 55, which starts from £77,800, this delivers up to 330 miles in the SUV and 343 miles in the Sportback, while the £97,800 SQ8 e-tron offers up to 284. The £100,795 SQ8 Sportback managed 295 miles on a single charge. This represents an increase of more than 73 miles over its e-tron S predecessor.
The greater efficiency has been achieved by optimising battery cell chemistry, Audi says, along with more advanced energy-management software and packaging of the cells, plus tweaks to the rear motor windings. There are now 14 coils instead of 12, allowing the motor to generate more torque from the same electrical current.
Outputs stand at 335bhp and 664Nm of torque in the 50 models for a best 0-62mph time of 6.0 seconds. The 55 model serves up the same torque output, while power increases to 402bhp, dropping the 0-62mph time to 5.6 seconds. The hotter SQ8 variants feature a three-motor set-up that delivers 496bhp and 973Nm of torque, with 0-62mph taking 4.5 seconds.
The smaller-battery 50 model can charge at a maximum rate of 150kW, while the bigger-battery cars push this up to 170kW. As a result, a 10 to 80 per cent charge takes 28 or 31 minutes respectively. All Q8 e-tron models feature standard 11kW AC charging (nine hours and 15 minutes for a full charge on the 50).
Audi Board Member for Technical Development Oliver Hoffmann said: “We were able to increase battery capacity and charging performance. This allowed us to achieve an optimal balance between energy density and charging capacity. We also improved the motors and the dynamic characteristics that are typical of Audi in all versions of the Q8 e-tron.”
The Q8 e-tron lineup consists of four trim levels for the 50 and 55 versions. Entry-level Sport models get 20-inch rims, keyless entry and start, a powered tailgate, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, dual-zone air-conditioning and a wireless phone charger. Standard safety features include lane departure warning and Audi’s parking system with 360-degree sensors.
Upgrade to the S line and you’ll get 21-inch wheels, adaptive sport air suspension, S line front and rear bumpers, tinted windows, sportier seats and a three-spoke steering wheel with an ‘S’ logo. In 50 e-tron trim, the S line costs an additional £5,000. Spend £2,350 more in 50 or 55 guise and you can get the ‘Black Edition’, which adds gloss black wheels, black door mirrors, window surrounds, grille and bumper trim. The three-spoke leather steering wheel gets a flat-bottom style.
For an additional £14,650 you can step up to the range-topping Vorsprung equipment level. Over the Black Edition this adds 22-inch wheels, a Vorsprung logo in the Audi headlight beam, virtual door mirrors, adaptive windscreen wipers, front “Super Sports” seats with S logos, a carbon inlay to the interior and heated leather steering wheel. It also includes various packs as standard, including a Bang and Olufsen sound system, 360-degree camera, four-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control and park assist. The Vorsprung also gets a panoramic roof as standard - which is available on lower models with Audi’s ‘Technology Pack Pro’ option. The SQ8 e-tron model is only available in Black Edition or Vorsprung.
Standard-fit modified air suspension, a new ESC calibration and tweaks to the progressive steering are said to boost the car’s agility and responses, combined with more rigid suspension bearings in the front axle.
For the Q8 e-tron, Audi’s designers have tweaked the front-end styling to redefine its look as part of the brand’s e-tron electric range. The new grille has clearly been inspired by the e-tron GT, with a gloss black panel surrounding the main air inlet, while the revised LED clusters (digital matrix LEDs are standard on top-spec cars) are joined by an LED strip at the top of the grille. Audi says aerodynamics played a significant part in the new car’s styling, with the SUV’s drag coefficient dropping from 0.26 to 0.24Cd, and the Sportback improving from 0.28 to 0.27.
The cabin isn’t too far removed from that of the model it replaces. Boot space stands at 569 litres for the SUV and 528 litres for the Sportback, while both cars feature a 62-litre front storage area.
With an increasing focus on sustainability, the Q8 e-tron features a significant number of recycled materials in its construction. There’s also a new 2D four-ring Audi logo on the grille, while the lettering and Audi badge on the B-pillars are new touches.
The Q8 e-tron updates are part of an Audi range revamp. The next A4 saloon will be renamed the A5, while the A6 model will become the A7 as the A6 e-tron all-electric saloon takes its place in the line-up. Indeed, the brand has already revealed a sleek A6 e-tron Avant concept, which will become a production reality next year, based on the firm’s PPE platform for pure EVs and sharing technology with the 2023 Q6 e-tron.
Expect an A4 e-tron model in time, with the A7 and A5 to be sold alongside the A6 e-tron and A4 e-tron models, giving Audi buyers a choice of powertrains.
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