The wait is over, Audi has finally unveiled the Q8 e-tron SUV. This is more of a facelifted version of the outgoing e-tron, which was Audi’s first electric SUV.
When compared to the predecessor, the Q8 e-tron and its Sportback version have also received significant exterior and interior styling changes. For the styling changes, the Audi Q8 and Sportback e-tron now get a dual-tone trapezoidal grille. We can also see the brand’s new two-dimensional ring emblem on it.
Other changes include a reworked front bumper, slightly different headlights, and new ‘Audi’ badging on the B-pillar. Coming to the rear, one can see the Q8 and Sportback e-tron with new LED tail-light clusters and a revised bumper. There’s also a new spoiler within the underbody. This addition will enhance the airflow around the wheels. Thus reducing the drag coefficient from 0.26 to 0.24cD for the Q8 Sportback e-tron and from 0.28 to 0.27cD for the Q8 e-tron.
Now for the interiors, Audi’s electric SUVs have new recycled upholstery and trim options. Not much has changed, but there are subtle new touches in a slightly revised cabin as well. The most prominent change is the multimedia interface (MMI). Both the Q8 e-tron and the Sportback version carry forward the 10.1-inch touchscreen screen at the top and the 8.6-inch screen at the bottom.
Customers can have the Q8 e-tron range in either 50, 55 or the top-spec S variants. The 50 and 55 versions of the EV will get dual motors, of which one sits at the front, one at the rear. On the contrary, the S versions get a twin-motor set-up at the rear.
The Q8 e-tron 50 models; power figures read as 340 HP and 664Nm. Whereas the 55 models produce 408 HP and 664Nm. The top-spec Q8 e-tron S models make a total output of 503 HP and 973 Nm of torque.
Battery and charging are where Audi has done most of the work. The batteries now use more advanced cells and a new management system. The result of this has increased the battery pack’s energy density by up to 20 per cent. Thus the updated 89kWh lithium-ion battery, for the 50 version of the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron can now achieve a range of 491km and 505km on the WLTP cycle, respectively. Meanwhile, the larger 104kWh battery pack in the Q8 e-tron 55 and e-tron Sportback 55 comes with a claimed range of 582 km and 600 km on the WLTP cycle, respectively.
The S versions of the Q8 e-tron and Sportback use the same 104kWh battery pack that comes with a WLTP range of 494km and 513 km, respectively. Audi now claims that the Q8 e-tron 50 models can be fully charged in 9 hours and 15 minutes with an 11kW AC charger. And with a 150kW DC fast charger, this will take 28 minutes. Talking of the larger battery pack in the Q8 e-tron 55 and S models, the charging time from 10 per cent to 80 percent via a 170kW DC fast charger is a claimed 31 minutes.
Audi will launch the Q8 e-tron in international markets starting sometime in February 2023. Chances are pretty high that we will get the Q8 e-tron for India as well. We expect the SUV to arrive sometime in July-August next year.
Also Read: Audi has installed 100+ chargers across 60+ cities in India.