The automobile world is moving towards electrification, and every brand is coming up with its models and extensively working on flooding the market. Many European countries have already mandated to replace of internal combustion engine vehicles with EVs by a specific year in the future. Most car companies have developed a dedicated EV division developing electrified vehicles and are currently on sale conventional vehicles. These EV divisions have specific naming under car brands like ;
VW has “ID.”
Toyota has “ bZ ”
KIA has “ EV ”
Hyundai has “ Ioniq ”
Mercedes has “ EQ “
BMW has “ i “.
Audi e-tron
Well, for FOUR RINGS, you might have already heard the name “e-tron, “which is not new. Audi even placed “e-tron” badging on some electrified concept vehicles in 2009. A limited edition A3 hatchback with a fully electric version was also introduced in 2011. A Plugin hybrid version also carried e-Tron badging. The flagship Audi sports car, The R8, was also introduced with an electrified powertrain, a limited edition model, and had R8 e-Tron badging in 2015.
So, the e-tron name appeared on and off with Audi for over a decade. In 2015 Audi unveiled a concept vehicle and named it the Audi e-Tron Quattro. This was a sports utility vehicle with a battery-electric propulsion system. The model converted to a production version in 2018 and went on sale in early 2019. The vehicle carried over the name of “e-Tron” and became the first mass-production EV with only “e-Tron” in the name.
Later in 2020, Audi unveiled the famous 4-door model with, the name of e-tron GT. This time e-Tron’s name appeared along with the GT. In 2021, Audi unveiled a fully electric compact crossover Q4 e-tron, and this time e-Tron appeared with Q4. With Audi converging increasingly towards the electrified portfolio and new models, Audi introduced “e-Tron” as a division dealing in fully electric vehicles and pasting the badge with its more conventional existing naming scheme.
Audi Q8 e-tron:
Let’s now move to the main heading. The actual “e-Tron” crossover SUV, also well-known and sold in Pakistan, was introduced globally in 2018. The model recently underwent a facelift, and this refresh includes technical and some facial upgrades and a new name. The facelift model now carries the name “Q8 e-Tron “. This will align the model with the more contemporary and other in-production electric vehicles regarding naming.
Keep in mind Audi already has a Q8, a conventional flagship model with petrol, diesel, or plugin option. From now on, you will see Q8 and e-Tron badges on a model together. This means this is the fully electric Q8, previously known as only the “e-Tron” and the top model for Audi model lineup. Also, to point out that electrified version and conventional combustion version share the same VW’s MLB EVO platform; obviously the EV gets a modified foundation.
Exterior
So, what’s new on the new Q8 e-tron? Like pre-facelift, the model will be available in standard and the Sportback version. There are minimal updates on the exterior besides the new corporate identity in the form of redesigned front grill giving it a new face; although the headlights profile is the same, there is an updated computer-controlled matrix LED headlights. The front also gets a newly designed 2D logo, while a LED light bar is just on the top portion of grille connecting the two headlights. Q8 e-tron is also the first model for the brand to get a model name badge on the B pillar along with Audi lettering.
Nothing much can be said for the side profile as it remains similar to a pre-facelift, although slight design changes to the virtual side view mirror are available as an option. On the rear, minor changes to the lower portion of the bumper are visible; otherwise, nothing significant to report. Some upgrades are being done to the underbody for improved aerodynamics and reduced coefficient of drag like it is reduced from 0.26 to 0.24 for the standard model while 0.28 to 0.27 for the Sportback.
Interior
As for the interior, everything remains the same as the pre-facelift model, although there are software updates to the Audi MMI. Like the pre-facelift model, a 10.1″ infotainment screen and an additional 8.6″ screen for other control like HVAC stacked below result in complete knob-free control. There is a full HD Audi virtual cockpit behind the steering wheel, and a full-color high-definition heads-up display is also available. Panoramic glass panel, high-quality leather, 4 zone climate control, and Bang & Olufsen premium audio system is also available.
The facelift model also gets materials from recycling to make it carbon neutral. The recycled material is used for insulation, damping, and carpeting. Recycled plastic bottles & polyester fiber are used. As for safety, the Q8 e-Tron now gets almost 40 driver assistance technologies using five radar sensors, five cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. Remote parking is also now available with improvements and the ability to self-park in the tightest spaces.
Technical
While nothing much is different and only small updates on the exterior interior, the Q8 e-tron gets an improved efficiency and range thanks to battery and motors hardware and software upgrades. The asynchronous motor on the rear axle is modified. There are now 14 coils instead of 12, which results in a stronger magnetic field for the same electric input, thus resulting in increased torque and also using less electricity for the required torque. This results in improved battery efficiency and increased range. Both the standard and the Sportback versions will be available in two versions [ 50 & 55 ] based on battery capacity, and both versions will carry a dual motor setup. At the same time, a more powerful “SQ8 e-Tron” model will get more power courtesy of a third motor. Remember that all ranges given here are as per WLTP, lab conditions, and protocols. The real on-road ranges vary depending on driving style and weather conditions.
Variants of Q8 e-Tron
Q8 50 e-tron: The base variant, a Q8 50 e-Tron, will have a net useable 89 kWh battery pack [ 95 kWh gross ]. This is a significant increase from the net 65 kWh useable [71 kWh gross ] of the pre-facelift model. Upgraded motor and battery now result in a total 335hp & 664nm in boost mode, an increase of 26 HP, and an increased torque of 104NM more than the pre-facelift model. The base model now makes more power, but its range is also increased to 491km [an increase of 150 km] for the Standard model and 505km [an increase of 158km] for the Sportback version.
Q8 55 e-tron: The Q8 55 e-tron also benefits from an updated motor and battery package. This model now has a net useable 106 kWh [ 114 kWh gross ] battery. This is an increase from the 86 kWh useable [95 kWh gross ] battery capacity found on the pre-facelift model but the power and torque for this version remain the same as before and power of 402HP & 664NM of torque in boost mode. The range improves for this variant for the facelift with an increase from 440km to 582km for the standard vehicle, while the Sportback jumps from 453 Km to 600km.
SQ8 e-tron: The sportier and more powerful SQ8 e-tron uses the same battery pack as Q8 55 e-tron, but here the rear axle uses two motors instead of three, making it a tri-motor setup. This results in a power bump to 496Hp & 973NM of torque which is again similar to the pre-facelift” e-tron S. “Obviously, with more power, there is slightly less range; 494Km for the standard and 513km of Sportback version comparing other variants but it is still an improvement comparing 364km [ standard] & 370km [ Sportback ] for the pre-facelift version.
Charging Upgrades
Besides updates to the motor and battery, Audi has improved its charging capabilities also. The 50 version keeps the same charging speed of 150 kW DC as pre-facelift, but the 55 and S models have increased charging performance by 170 kW. This results in a charging speed of 10 to 80 percent in 31 minutes, corresponding to 420km of range per WLTP. All vehicles come with an 11kW onboard charger, while there is an option for 22Kw, which can be plugged in at home. The 11kW will take 9 hours 15 minutes while 4 hours 45 minutes to charge the 50 variant using a 22kw Charger. The 11kW charger will take 11 hours and 30 minutes to charge the 55 and S versions. If you use a 22kW charger, the time will be cut short to 6 hours.
Other mechanical updates include standard air spring suspension with computer-controlled shock absorption. The system can raise or lower the vehicle depending on the road conditions. The stability control, the steering system, and the entire chassis and suspension are also retuned for optimized and improved driving dynamics and handling.
Pricing
So lastly, the price, in Germany, the 2024 Q8 50 e-tron standard model will start around Euro-75,000/- while the 55 variant will start at Euro-85,300/-. The Sportback versions are a couple thousand more for each battery pack variant. Prices are not available for the SQ8 e-tron version, and it will be available sometime in the summer of 2023.
If you are in the market for the Audi fully electric SUV “e-tron,” it is now renamed as the Q8 e-tron. Additionally, if you plan to buy it in Pakistan, you must confirm with your dealer if it is a pre-facelift or facelifted model. I recommend that you wait and go for the updated version as it has improved battery range; you need to have your finances ready especially keeping in mind the current exchange rate of $ in the country.
