Q8 e-tron & SQ8 e-tron: Audi’s Got a New Top of the Line Electric SUV
With the Q8 e-tron Audi brings a new name, design, and performance to its flagship electric SUV. Expect a spring 2023 for Europe.
Audi introduced the e-tron line about four years ago and has since sold about 150,000 units. The automaker currently has eight electric models and by 2026 they expect that number to be over 20. By 2030 Audi is expected to be a fully electric brand. The new Audi Q8 e-tron is another significant step towards that new reality. “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.” Said Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG.
With the Q8 e-tron Audi is going with a new face, new name and new corporate identity. The Audi Q8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron will be the top rung electric SUV models for the brand. The new models will instantly be recognizable as not just an Audi product. But as an all-electric Audi product. These models will be the first to usher in a new two-dimensional design of the four rings on the exterior. The new model will also feature Audi lettering on the B-pillar. But this newest e-tron is about much more than badges and lettering.
More Range
Here in the U.S., we can expect to receive a Q8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron. The expected power outputs are 402 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque for the standard SUV. And 496 horsepower and 718 pound-feet of torque for the SQ8 e-tron. The base model should hit 60 mph in about five and a half seconds and the SQ8 e-tron should be about a second quicker. The real story though is the range and charging performance. It is expected that in ideal conditions using a DC fast charger the battery can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 31 minutes. That should be good for up to 260 miles of range. On a full charge, Audi is looking for a range of more than 360 miles.
Comfort and Sport
The new Q8 e-tron comes standard with an air suspension. The height of the car body can be varied by a total of 76 millimeters, depending on the driving situation. To attack corners with verve the gear ratio in the steering has been revised so it responds more quickly. The suspension bearings on the front axle have been firmed up. “Steering movements are thus transmitted to the wheels more directly, and feedback from steering reactions is improved as well. All the chassis control systems were adjusted, but they remain balanced and perfectly attuned.”
Technology
The Audi Q8 e-tron will be equipped with up to about 40 driver-assist systems. There will be up to five cameras and five radar sensors, and twelve ultrasonic sensors. Remote park assist plus is a new feature that can help the SUV be maneuvered into tight parking spaces. Great for parking but maybe not so great for avoiding door dings from careless neighbors. Digital Matrix LED headlights will also be a new option. These will mark the car’s position in the lane when driving on the highway.
Interior
Audi has long been known for their interiors and that will continue with the Q8 e-tron. There will be a glass panorama roof. Two-zone climate control is standard and four-zone is optional. The contoured seats can be ordered with a massaging function. Porous wood veneers in ash or sycamore are available. You can also select aluminum or, in the SQ8, carbon fiber. There will also be two large high-resolution touch displays. The top one will be 10.1-inches and the lower one will be 8.6-inches. These screens will handle just about all vehicle functions. So, if you are a fan of knobs, that is too bad.
Timing and Price
In Europe, the new Q8 e-tron model is expected to come to market at the end of April 2023 with base pricing starting around $74,400 USD. For the U.S., it’s looking more like Summer 2023 launch with a similar product lineup, albeit stay tuned for specific USA pricing, options, and range specifications.
Images: Audi
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