More modern and refined look

The new Audi Q8 e-tron is available with SUV and Sportback bodies, has a higher capacity battery, better charging capacity and an autonomy of up to 595 kilometers

The Q8 e-tron impresses with optimized handling, improved aerodynamics, increased charging capacity and a larger capacity battery, which enables an autonomy – according to the WLTP cycle – of up to 575 km for the SUV and up to 595 km for the SUV. Sportback version. Design changes, especially significant at the front, give the new model a more modern and refined look.

Since the market launch of the Audi e-tron four years ago and with more than 150,000 electric vehicles on the market to date, Audi has followed a systematic step-by-step plan in its electrification strategy: the range of electrically powered vehicles in the current eight models, a number of that will increase to more than 20 by 2026. From that year, Audi will only launch new models with fully electric drive.

Adopting the Q8 name is quite a statement of intent from Audi, placing the new Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron as the top models between SUVs and electric ‘crossovers’. The Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron, recognizable at first glance as fully electric models thanks to the new exterior design at the front and rear, herald the brand’s new corporate identity, with a two-dimensional design of the four rings. The spelling of the model name inscription on the B-pillar is also new.

With a length of 4,915 meters, a width of 1,937 meters and a height of 1,619 meters for the Sportback (1,633 meters in the case of the SUV), the Q8 e-tron offers great habitability and maximum comfort. The body of the SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 Sportback e-tron is two millimeters lower and 39 millimeters wider. The wheelbase of 2,928 meters also provides plenty of legroom in the back seat. Trunk volume reaches 569 liters for the SUV and 529 liters for the Sportback; both have 62 liters of extra storage space under the front hood.

The two-piece panoramic glass roof makes the interior of the Audi Q8 e-tron brighter and enhances the feeling of space. The drive is electric and the opaque protective roller blind is operated with the same comfort. When the roof is open, the climate in the cabin is improved and an integrated deflector reduces wind noise. As an alternative to the standard two-zone climate control system, Audi offers a four-zone climate control system and the Air Quality package. Thanks to the three ventilation levels of the seats, you can enjoy a high level of comfort even at high outside temperatures. Among the available options for the interior, the seats stand out with individually adjustable contours, which can also have a massage function. It is possible to include decorative inserts in ash wood or aluminium. New is the option to choose the inserts in a sustainable technical material that is partly made from recycled PET bottles.

You can choose from three drive variants with electric all-wheel drive for both bodies. The Audi Q8 50 e-tron has a motor on the front axle and a motor on the rear axle that generate a system power of 250 kW and a maximum torque of 664 Nm in boost mode. The WLTP range is up to 486 km for the SUV; and up to 501 km in the Sportback.

Even with two engines, the power in the Audi Q8 55 e-tron reaches 300 kW, with a maximum torque of 664 Nm. The WLTP autonomy in this case is up to 575 km for the SUV and up to 595 km for the Sportback. The top speed of the Q8 50 e-tron and Q8 55 e-tron is limited to 200 km/h.

The top versions are the Audi SQ8 e-tron and the SQ8 Sportback e-tron, powered by three motors with a system power of 370 kW and a maximum torque of 973 Nm. The range in the S models is up to 465 km for the SUV and up to 483 km in the Sportback. The maximum speed in these versions is limited to 210 km/h.

The battery of the Q8 50 e-tron has a net storage capacity of 89 kWh (95 kWh gross), while for the Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron the net capacity is 106 kWh (114 kWh gross).

Thanks to an optimization of the battery management system, the usable capacity of the battery has also increased. In a high-power charging station, the Audi Q8 50 e-tron achieves a maximum charging capacity of 150 kW; in the Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron, the maximum charging power increases to 170 kW. This allows the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% of its capacity in about 31 minutes, which corresponds to a range of up to 420 km under ideal conditions, according to the WLTP standard. The Audi Q8 e-tron can be charged at an AC charging station or in a wallbox with a power of up to 11 kW.

As an option, Audi offers a 22 kW AC charger.

Under ideal conditions, with alternating current and a charging capacity of 11 kW, the battery of the Audi Q8 50 e-tron can be fully charged in approximately 9 hours and 15 minutes (22 kW: approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes); in the Audi Q8 e-tron with the highest capacity battery, the time required for a full charge is approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes (22 kW: 6 hours).

For the new Audi Q8 e-tron, the asynchronous motor concept on the rear axle has been improved, increasing the number of coils generating the electromagnetic field from 12 to 14. In this way, it produces a stronger magnetic field with a comparable electrical input, which in turn guarantees higher torque. Since the electric motor requires less energy to generate torque, this translates into lower fuel consumption and a longer range.

This concept has been further refined for the new SQ8 e-tron, which is equipped with a 124 kW electric motor at the front and two 98 kW electric motors, each driving the rear wheels separately, allowing the full system power to be achieved: 370 kW.

Source: La Verdad

Ida

I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.