The rumors have finally been confirmed: the Audi e-Tron and e-Tron Sportback will change names with the arrival of their mid-life restyling. From now on, the two largest electric SUVs from the firm with the four rings will be called the Q8 e-Tron and Q8 Sportback e-Tron, aligning with the rest of the manufacturer’s range.
The one in charge of announcing this change has been Audi itself through a series of advances. The presentation of the new models is scheduled for next November 9. Although the new name does not appear in the images shared by the company, the following can be read in the notes of said publications:
“Q8 e-Tron: energy consumption (combined) in kWh/100km: 24.4–20.1, CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0; // Q8 Sportback e-Tron: energy consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 24.1–19.5, CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0». As is the case with the current e-Tron, the Sportback body will offer slightly lower consumption thanks to its better aerodynamics.
The design of the newcomers, advanced by the e-Tron Prototype concept, will not vary too much from its predecessors. Both the Singleframe grille and the bumpers will receive some minor changes, while the headlamps will receive new lighting technology. The modifications in the rear will be nuanced.
The new Audi Q8 e-Tron and Q8 Sportback e-Tron could exceed 600 kilometers of range
In contrast, the update at the mechanical level is expected to be very deep. Although the Q8 e-Tron and Q8 Sportback e-Tron will continue to use an adapted version of the MLB thermal platform, their electrical system will take a significant leap forward to close the gap with last-batch proposals such as the BMW iX or the Mercedes EQE SUV.
Compared to the 95 kWh battery used so far (which provides a range of 436 km WLTP to the e-Tron and 446 km WLTP to the e-Tron Sportback), the restyling will bring with it a new pack of about 110 kWh. If we add to this the use of more efficient engines, we will have as a result a range that will exceed 600 km WLTP.
The charging system (currently limited to a maximum of 150 kW of power in direct current) will become faster, although without reaching the figures of the e-Tron GT (5-80% in 22.5 minutes), since the Q8 e-Tron and Q8 Sportback e-Tron will continue to use an electrical architecture of 400 volts instead of 800. How could it be otherwise, the technological and safety equipment will also be updated.
