Audi Q8 e-tron Revealed with longer range

After months of rumors and spy photos, Audi today revealed the long-awaited restyling of the e-tron, its first series-production electric car. This important update is accompanied by a name change because to integrate it into its range, the company has decided to name it Q8 e-tron.

Aesthetically, the most striking change is the new Singleframe radiator grille, which now sports a flatter logo design to integrate the safety assistant sensors. This facelift has been used to optimize the aerodynamics of the vehicle, whose drag coefficient goes from 0.28 to 0.27 in the Q8 e-tron and from 0.26 to 0.24 in the Q8 e-tron Sportback.

However, the most important evolution is hidden under the skin. And it is that the modifications introduced in the mechanical plane (motors, batteries, etc) are not few, which results in optimized performance and much greater range (until now, the e-tron was limited to 436 km WLTP and the e-tron Sportback at 446 km WLTP).

The range will be articulated in six versions, the result of combining the three power levels (50, 55, and S) with the two available bodies (standard and Sportback). Both the 50 and 55 variants have a powertrain made up of two motors (one per axle) and Quattro all-wheel drive.

Audi Q8 e-tron

The Audi Q8 e-tron will be launched in the first quarter of 2023

In Boost mode, the Q8 50 e-tron puts out a power of 340 hp (250 kW) and a torque of 664 Nm. Its batteries have a capacity of 89 useful kWh (95 gross kWh), more than enough to homologate between 491 km WLTP (Q8 50 e-tron) and 505 km WLTP (Q8 50 e-tron Sportback). This improvement has been achieved thanks to the use of a new and efficient asynchronous motor on the rear axle.

Audi Q8 e-tron

Something similar happens with the Q8 55 e-tron, which in addition to reaching 408 CV (300 kW) and 664 Nm, equips a pack of 106 useful kWh (114 gross kWh), which allows it to announce between 582 km WLTP ( Q8 55 e-tron) and 600 km WLTP (Q8 55 e-tron Sportback). Thus, it is compared to newcomers such as the BMW iX (632 km WLTP) or the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV (590 km WLTP).

Audi Q8 e-tron

The top of the range is the SQ8 e-tron, which is distinguished by mounting three motors (one on the front axle, and two on the rear). In this case, the maximum power is 503 hp (370 kW) and the torque is 973 Nm. The battery pack is the same as in the 55 variant, although the range remains at 494 km WLTP (SQ8 e-tron) and 513 km WLTP (SQ8 e-tron Sportback).

As for the load, it can now reach a maximum of 22 kW in alternating current and 170 kW in direct current. The chassis has not been neglected either, as, in addition to including new progressive steering, it is also equipped with pneumatic suspension as standard. The first deliveries will take place in February-March 2023.

Elenor Kling

A tech lover and generally a car enthusiast who likes to do a lot of research and share knowledge.

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