Audi’s large electric SUV gets a new name and big updates

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INGOLSTADT, GERMANY

Remember the Audi e-tron? With new electric vehicles from all major brands flying through the door at an unprecedented rate, the original Audi e-tron from 2018 could almost be forgiven for getting buried in the mix, but now it’s back, with a dramatic update and big change of name. It’s now been renamed the Audi Q8 e-tron, and if you’re not too keen on the boxy SUV body shape you can also get it in the curvier, yet to be revealed, coupe-SUV Q8 Sportback e-tron form.

It’s really a big update to the Audi e-tron and the new name gives naming consistency to the brand’s lineup, identifying the Q8 e-tron as the electric pseudo-sibling of the larger, standard Audi Q8 SUV, which is also available in the very powerful, very fast, RS Q8 guise.  

The new upside down design of the singleframe nose is the signature look of Audi’s electric cars, and the Q8 e-tron is the biggest of the range right now. It measures 4.9 metres in length, and is 39mm wider than before, though it still seats only five occupants. The longest ranged version of the Q8 e-tron has a claimed range of 600km as measured on the WLTP cycle. This slightly exceeds the driving range of the Mercedes-EQ EQS 450+, which at time of writing is the longest ranged series production EV you can buy in Singapore right now.

Back to the Audi Q8 e-tron, the car will be available in three motor configurations starting from the standard Q8 50 e-tron, which features a 95kWh battery capacity, twin-motor all-wheel drive, a peak combined power output of 335hp, or 250kW, and a range of up to 491km. The Q8 Sportback 50 e-tron goes slightly further for a claimed range of 505km on the account of its more aerodynamic body shape. 

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Next up the ladder is the Audi Q8 55 e-tron, which ups the combined power output to 402hp, or 300kW. A higher capacity 114kWh battery fitted as standard allows for a total range of up to 600km for the Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron, and 582km for the SUV shaped Q8 55 e-tron, as measured on the WLTP cycle.

Both the Q8 50 e-tron and Q8 55 e-tron are electronically limited to a top speed of 200km/h. 

If you really want a big, luxurious, sporty and fast electric SUV, the Audi SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 Sportback e-tron feature three electric motors with a combined power output of 496hp and a massive peak torque of 973Nm. Expect to cover up to 513km with the SQ8 Sportback e-tron and 494km with the standard SUV body. Top speed is electronically limited to 210km/h. 

The Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron variants accept a charge rate of up to 170kW, enough to take the batteries from 10 to 80 percent charge in 31 minutes.

The base model Q8 e-tron has a peak charging rate that is slightly less, at 150kW. All the Q8 e-trons accept 11kW AC charging, with the option of faster 22kW AC charging also available.

Notable updates to the new e-tron’s drive systems include upping the coil windings in the motors. The previous-gen car had 12 coils around the individual motor rotors, and the new version increases this to 14 coils. The additional windings allow for more torque output, and when cruising at constant speed the motors draw less power, making them more powerful and efficient at the same time.

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All variants also come with air-sprung suspension dampers, and the ride height can be varied by up to 76mm depending on the driving situation. The progressive steering has been revised as well, with a more direct, quicker input ratio supported by more rigid front suspension bearings. 

The interior details have not yet been revealed at time of writing, but it’s likely to follow closely on the form of the Audi e-tron GT.

The Audi Q8 e-tron is expected to begin sales in the Asian region from the second half of 2023, though prices for Singapore have not yet been set.

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