The new Audi Q8 e-tron boasts an optimized drivetrain, improved aerodynamics, higher charging performance, and larger battery capacity, the German auto giant said.
The flagship electric SUV and Sportback has increased range to 330 miles (WLTP) in the SUV and up to 343 miles (WLTP) in the Sportback for UK customers.
Audi's electric portfolio currently 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.
“With our corporate strategy ‘Vorsprung 2030’, we’ve set a fixed date for our withdrawal from combustion engines and clearly decided that Audi will be a fully electric brand within 11 years,” said Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “The new Audi Q8 e-tron, with its improved efficiency and range and refined design, is another important component in our electric portfolio to get people excited about electromobility with emotional models that are suitable for everyday use.”
The Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron are immediately identifiable as fully electric models, marked out by the new front and rear designs that carry Audi’s electric design language forward, the company said.
The vehicle is 4,915mm long, 1,937mm wide, and 1,619mm tall for the Sportback and 1,633mm tall for the SUV. The SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 Sportback e-tron are each two millimetres lower and 39 millimetres wider. Its wheelbase of 2,928mm allows for plenty of legroom in the back seats too, Audi claims.
For both body shapes, three drivetrain variants with electric all-wheel drive are available. Driven by two motors, the base models of the Audi Q8 50 e-tron and the Audi Q8 Sportback 50 e-tron generate 250kW (340PS) in boost mode and 664Nm of torque, and they get a WLTP range of up to 281 miles (SUV) and up to 290 miles (Sportback) in UK versions, the company said. This comes from a 89kWh net (95kWh gross) battery.
The Q8 55 e-tron and Sportback generate 300kW (408PS) and offer up 330 miles (WLTP) and 343 miles (WLTP) respectively, thanks to a 106kWh net (114kWh gross) battery. The range-topping SQ8 e-tron and Sportback use the same battery but with a tri-motor system delivering 370kW (503PS). The ranges are 284 miles and 295 miles respectively.
According to the company, the Audi Q8 e-tron charges at up to 11kW at an AC charging station or wallbox. Audi offers an optional AC charging upgrade of up to 22kW. Under ideal conditions, the Audi Q8 50 e-tron can completely charge in around nine hours and 15 minutes on a 11kW power source and in around four hours and 45 minutes on a 22kW power source. The Q8 55 e-tron's larger battery will charge in around 11 hours and 30 minutes at 11 kW and six hours at 22 kW.
With a DC charger, the Q8 50 e-tron supports up to 150kW and the 55 or SQ8 manage 170kW, allowing the latter to charge from 10 to 80% in just 31 minutes.
The Audio Q8 e-tron replaces the original Audi e-tron 50 and 55.