> Fresh exterior, new brand design, and dynamic driving characteristics
> Net-carbon-neutral production and the first-time use of recycled materials in a safety-related component
INGOLSTADT: The Audi e-tron came to market in 2018, marking the start of the electric future for the four rings. It has since sold 150,000 units.
Audi's electric portfolio now comprises eight models. By 2026, it will have more than 20. At that point, Audi will only be releasing fully electric models on the global market.
By calling this model the Q8, Audi is making a clear statement that the Audi Q8 e-tron is the top model among its electric SUVs and crossovers. The Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron are immediately identifiable as fully electric models at first glance.
This is thanks to the new front and rear designs with the characteristic Singleframe mask, the inverted grille, and blade above the redesigned rear diffuser, which systematically carry Audi’s electric design language forward. An exclusive highlight on the edition S line package is the Singleframe grille, which is finished in body color.
The Q8 e-tron ushers in the new corporate identity with a two-dimensional design of the four rings on the exterior.
Additionally, the Q8 e-tron is the first model to feature the new model badge with Audi lettering on the B-pillar.
Maximum amount of space and comfort
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 a maximum amount of space and comfort.
The SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 Sportback e-tron are each 2mm lower and 39mm wider. 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, the so called “frunk”.
Three drivetrain variants
For both body shapes, three drivetrain variants with electric all-wheel drive can be selected.
With their two motors, the base models of the Q8 50 e-tron and the Q8 Sportback 50 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 Q8 55 e-tron and Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron generate 300 kW in boost mode and 664 Nm of torque. Their ranges are up to 582 km for the SUV and up to 600 km for the Sportback, in accordance with the WLTP. Their top speed, and that of the Q8 50 e-tron, is limited to 200kph.
The top-end SQ8 e-tron and 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. Their top speed is limited to 210kph.
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, the battery capacity usable for customers has increased as well. At a high-powered charging station, the 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 percent during a roughly 31-minute charging stop – under ideal conditions, this corresponds to a range of up to 420km (according to WLTP).
At an AC charging station or wallbox, the Q8 e-tron charges at up to 11 kW. Audi offers an optional AC charging performance of up to 22 kW.
Under ideal conditions, 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 Q8 e-tron comes standard with the Plug & Charge function. At compatible charging stations, the vehicle authorizes itself when inserting the charging cable and activates the charging point. Billing happens automatically.
The new charging service Audi charging, which is set to launch in 2023 and will in the future replace the existing e-tron Charging Service, will allow for convenient access to around 400,000 public charging points across Europe.
Improved dynamics
For the new Q8 e-tron, the asynchronous motor concept on the rear axle was modified. Instead of 12 coils generating the electromagnetic field, there are now 14. The motor consequently generates a stronger magnetic field with similar electricity input, which in turn allows for more torque.
If this isn’t needed, the electric motor requires less energy to generate torque. This lowers consumption and increases range. With the e-tron range’s S version, Audi used a three-motor concept for the first time in large-scale production.
This was refined for the new SQ8 e-tron. A 124-kW electric motor is at work on the front axle.
On the rear axle, there are two electric motors each with 98 kW of output that each separately power a rear wheel. This allows for a boost performance of up to 370 kW. The drive torque can be distributed across both rear electric motors between both wheels within a split second.
The new Audi Q8 e-tron comes standard with an air-spring suspension with controlled shock absorption. The height of the car body can be varied by a total of 76mm, depending on the driving situation. To optimise the lateral dynamics of the vehicle, its air-spring tuning was adjusted.
Aerodynamics has been improved, resulting in a reduction of the drag coefficient from 0.26 to 0.24 cw for the Q8 Sportback e-tron and from 0.28 to 0.27 cw for the Q8 e-tron. The wheel spoilers mounted on the underbody help divert airflow around the wheels. The spoilers on the front axle were enlarged, and the Q8 Sportback e-tron now has spoilers on the rear wheels as well.
With the SQ8 Sportback e-tron, spoilers are only mounted on the rear axle. In the area around the grille, this is the first time an Audi model has had a self-sealing system in addition to the electric shutters that automatically close the radiator.
There are around 40 driver assistance systems available in the Q8 e-tron. Up to five radar sensors, five cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors provide environmental information that’s then analyzed by the central driver assistance control unit.
Something new is remote park assist plus, which will be available to order starting in 2023. With its help, the Q8 e-tron can maneuver into even the tightest parking spaces. Customers can control the parking procedure through the myAudi app on their smartphones.
The Q8 e-tron optionally comes with digital Matrix LED headlights. While driving on the highway, the orientation light marks the car’s position in the lane and helps the driver remain securely in the centre in narrow spaces.
Three other new features are available as well: enhanced traffic information, the lane light with a direction indicator and the orientation light on country roads.
Luxury-class interior
The glass panorama roof makes the interior appear lighter and reinforces the sense of airiness and expansiveness.
As an alternative to the standard two-zone automatic climate control, Audi is also offering four-zone automatic climate control and an air quality package. The three-stage ventilation provides for comfortable seating, even at high outdoor temperatures.
Like all luxury-class Audi models, 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.
On the German market, the Audi Q8 e-tron will come standard with MMI Navigation plus.
The Audi Q8 e-tron will be certified as net-carbon-neutral1 for customers in Europe and the USA. Audi also uses recycled materials for some components in the Q8 e-tron. These materials, treated through a recycling process, reduce the amount of resources used and ensure a closed, efficient and sustainable material loop.
In the interior of the Audi Q8 e-tron, Audi uses recycled materials for insulation and damping, as well as for carpeting. The decorative inlay above the display, called the Tech Layer, is available with a new anthracite-coloured technical material that’s partially composed of recycled PET bottles.
With the S line equipment package, the sport seats are upholstered in synthetic leather and the microfiber material Dinamica. Dinamica is made from up to 45 percent polyester fibers that are manufactured from recycled PET bottles, used textiles and fiber residue. In contrast to previous microfiber quality, the production of Dinamica is also solvent-free – another contribution to environmental protection.
The market launch of the new Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron, which will be available to order starting in mid-November, is planned to happen at the end of February 2023 in Germany and the most important European markets. In the US, the model is expected to come to the market at the end of April. It is expected to arrive in Malaysia in early summer 2023.
The base price for the Audi Q8 e-tron in Germany will be €74,400 (RM348,000).
