For a while you can either buy a gasoline engine Audi Q8 five-seater SUVor an all-electric Audi E-Tron five-seat SUV. Today, the naming becomes a little simpler, because Audi reveals its New Flagship electric SUV: the Q8 E-tron. Finally, the naming convention makes sense. But first, let’s talk about what you can expect from this Audi electric crossover.
2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron: Transmissions, Range and Batteries
HHere in the United States we will be get two versions of the Q8 E-Tron: the Q8 55 E-Tron and the SQ8 E-Tron. Both go come with a 106-kWh battery pack. Audi says the 55 will do Zero to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds, with two motors (one at each axle) producing a total of 402 hp and 490 lb-ft of torque.
Go to SQ8 E-Tron, and you’ll get three motors: one on the front axle and two on the rear, one per wheel. Audi says tits top-of-the-line electric SUV will do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, thanks to a total of 496 hp and 718 lb-ft of torque.
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Audi says the Q8 55 E-Tron will go up to 373 miles on a fully charged battery in Sportsback configuration, and 362 miles in the slightly straighter standard body style. These numbers dip considerably if you switch to performance SQ8, which offers a claimed 307 miles of range for the standard crossover and 319 miles for the Sportback. All of these numbers are easily beaten the current range of E-Tron until 225 miles.
In terms of charging, Audi says both the Q8 55 and the SQ8 can charge up to 170 kW. That means, in theory, you’ll be able to recharge a battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron: Exterior Design
Audi says putting “Q8” in front of the E-Tron’s name makes it clear that it is the top dog in the company’s electric crossover portfolio, which starts with the Q4 E-Tron and will soon expand to a new Q6 E-Tron, which is yet to be released.
The Q8 E-Tron and Q8 Sportback E-Tron both get new front and rear fascias that are part of Audi’s EV design language. Small styling updates help the 2023 stand out, like a flattened Audi badge and the model designation laser-engraved on the B-pillar and front and rear light bars. You can also choose the color of the grille surround for some customization.
Audi worked on the aerodynamics of the Q8 E-Tron family in order to cover every last kilometer of autonomy. The drag coefficient was lowered from 0.26 to 0.24 for the Sportback and from 0.28 to 0.27 for the standard crossover. Overall updated vehicle size hasn’t really changed. It is 16.1 feet long, 6.4 feet wide and 5.4 feet high (5.3 feet tall for the Sportback). The SQ8 will be about 0.8 inches lower and 1.5 inches wider than the standard model, thanks to larger fender flares and a lowered sport suspension..
Good news – there IThere isn’t a single piece of unpainted plastic on the exterior of the Q8 E-Tron. Rejoice.
2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron: Interior
Please keep in mind that Audi did not provide us with interior photos of the new E-Tron. We’I said it’isn’t radically different from the vehicle it replaces, but there are a few new touches. You can now get a whole bunch of new dashboard overlays including ash, sycamore or walnut woodaluminum, or even carbon fiber on the S models.
And there are durability options. Audi says you can opt for padding made from recycled plastic bottles. In fact, the Q8 E-Tron is said to be “certified carbon neutral” thanks to its use of recycled materials, particularly in the insulation, soundproofing and carpeting. If you opt for the S-Line Trim you’ll also be able to get synthetic leather seats and a microfiber material called Dinamica – which is also made from recycled materials.
Audi’s MMI infotainment the system has also been updated. For better or for worse, the two screens replace just about every button or change, compliment the Audi virtual cockpit display behind the wheel.
2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron: Chassis and Suspension
All Q8 E-Tron models come standard with air suspension that can raise or lower up to three inches, and revised progressive steering for faster response.
At this time, Audi has not released any pricing data for the United States. But we shouldn’t have to wait too long to find out: Production is expected to begin in early 2023, with vehicles expected to begin arriving in US showrooms next spring.
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