Audi has rebooted its first electrical car, the E-tron, for 2024, full with a brand new identify, badging and enhanced aerodynamics.
The Q8 E-tron and Q8 Sportback E-tron, rebadged to replicate their place as Audi’s all-electric flagships, nonetheless look very very like Audis.
That’s a part of the plan: Audi thinks conventional followers of the model, in addition to early EV adopters, are simply as keen and prepared to contemplate one of many two EVs.
Automotive and Driver calls it “gimmick-free and extra delicate than rivals from BMW, Genesis and Tesla.”
Whereas the outside nonetheless says Audi, the gear within the stomach is the place the large modifications relaxation.
An even bigger, lithium ion battery with 114 kWh helps vary enhance about 30 p.c to 285 miles on the Q8 E-tron and as much as 300 on the Q8 Sportback E-tron.
Peak horsepower is 402 and the highest pace is 124 mph. Total curb weight will increase by 11 kilos.
The Q8 E-tron’s rear-biased drivetrain options two motors, and for 2024, the rear motor options two additional windings, up from 12, permitting it to create a stronger magnetic subject from the identical quantity of electrical energy. The replace creates extra torque and decrease vitality consumption.
With 170 kW DC quick charging, the Q8 E-tron could be charged to 80 p.c from 10 p.c in 31 minutes, Audi mentioned.
Vary can also be enhanced by an 8 p.c enhance in aerodynamic effectivity, principally because of the Q8 E-tron’s revised entrance air curtains, electrical grille shutters and entrance wheel spoilers. The drag coefficient was diminished to 0.27 from 0.28 on the Q8 E-tron and to 0.24 from 0.26 on the Q8 Sportback E-tron.
The second-generation EV is out there in Premium, Premium Plus and Status trims. The bottom value will increase by $3,600 over the outgoing mannequin to $75,595, together with delivery, however the EV gives extra vary and Stage 2 adaptive cruise management.
We have rounded up some opinions from the automotive press.
“I’ve pushed loads of electrical SUVs and crossovers, some by the identical coastal roads I skilled final week, however this trip felt completely different in a whole lot of methods. After I turned out of the resort, I naturally gunned it to see what the Sportback e-tron may do. Admittedly, I used to be underwhelmed by its giddy-up, however I may instantly inform this was a reasonably heavy car.
“Though its 0-60 time is nothing to drool over, the acceleration grew on me due to the general trip. It’s so easy and quiet that you do not even discover the acceleration. I discovered myself instantly going 25-30 mph over the pace restrict (no one likes a snitch) with out a single hair on my neck standing up – it simply felt pure.
“Since a few of our route went by spotty cell areas, we used Audi’s UX navigation for the route fairly than Apple CarPlay. That being mentioned, I related to CarPlay wirelessly and solely had one situation — every time I bought a textual content, the middle display screen would swap over to CarPlay, and I would must faucet again to Audi navigation. Form of annoying, however I had my subsequent two activates show in entrance of me due to the HUD, which was top-notch, in my view.
“The haptic contact took me some time to get used on the middle display screen as, at first, I wasn’t tapping onerous sufficient for it to register. As soon as I bought the cling of it, I nonetheless noticed some delays between the faucet, the haptic buzz and the precise motion going down. This was in no way a deal breaker, however the software program may very well be optimized a bit for responsiveness.
“The menu was simple to navigate, although I discovered the tap-through course of for sure menus a bit too labyrinthine, particularly whereas driving. I’d have favored the drive mode menu to be a bit simpler to entry as I shifted by the modes typically to get the total expertise. Within the Q8 e-tron Sportback, I felt probably the most at residence in Auto Mode.”
— Scooter Doll, Electrek
“The regenerative braking system would not supply a full one-pedal driving mode, and the selectable regen (dealt with by the steering wheel paddles) is not robust sufficient for my liking. EV first-timers would possibly prefer it because it feels akin to engine braking in a gasoline automobile, however I want Audi gave of us the choice for full-fat 1PD. The automobile will maintain your regenerative braking desire in the event you’re in Dynamic or Eco modes, however in any others, it’s going to revert to the least aggressive setting the subsequent time you contact the accelerator, making it really feel a bit inconsistent.
“Past that grievance, nonetheless, I genuinely get pleasure from driving the Q8 E-Tron. With customary four-corner air suspension and adaptive damping, it was a refined and comfy automobile through which to tootle by all that building site visitors, dispatching hard-edged enlargement joints with poise and management. Even in its cushiest setting, the suspension remains to be fairly agency – extra so at freeway speeds when the automobile robotically hunkers down decrease for aerodynamic causes – but it surely by no means feels harsh or unyielding. There’s at all times a thick layer of buttercream frosting between you and the potholes under.
“The E-Tron can also be impressively hushed at pace due to the sleeker aerodynamics and the dual-pane acoustic facet glass that comes customary on Premium Plus, Status and Launch Version fashions. There is a trace of wind noise coming over the windshield header, but it surely is not distracting within the slightest. In reality, Audi would not even add fake electrical propulsion noise besides at low speeds to warn pedestrians. Anthony Garbis, the corporate’s senior supervisor of product planning, mentioned this was a deliberate transfer that each showcased the Q8 E-Tron’s zero-emissions raison d’etre and referred to as out opponents for utilizing propulsion audio to masks highway noise.”
— Brett T. Evans, InsideEVs
“Extra vital are the tech upgrades. 5 years is a very long time on the earth of electrification, and battery vitality density is at all times bettering. The entry-level 50 model sees its usable capability rise from 71 to 89 kWh, whereas the 55 mannequin (and performance-oriented SQ8 E-tron) goes from 89 to 106 kWh, which can be greater than the approaching Kia EV9. Now we’re speaking.
“The motors have additionally been revised, and the automobile’s aerodynamic effectivity additional optimized. Audi claims a spread of ‘as much as 330 miles’ for the 55, and DC charging speeds are improved, too. These have gone from 150 to 170 kW, although that is nonetheless a way off the 240-kW restrict loved by the wonderful Genesis GV70 and others. The battery will go from 10 to 80 p.c cost in 31 minutes, however this time that may’t beat the EV9’s 800V electrical structure, which may do the identical in beneath 25 minutes.
“The Q8 E-tron has additionally gained some dynamic enhancements. The steering is quicker and extra alert, the suspension has been finessed — all variations trip on air springs— and the steadiness and traction management algorithms have been tweaked. The 55 has a complete of 402 bhp and 490 pound-feet of torque, and it sits between the 335-bhp 50 model and the 496-bhp SQ8. That one good points a 3rd motor.
“The twin-motor 55 is a automobile that has an imperious really feel with out being what you would possibly name interactive. However then no electrical SUV is really working off a mission assertion to entertain — not least as a result of, whatever the chassis wizardry or engineering smarts at play, the E-tron weighs north of two.5 tons, and the physics at work are immutable.
“It is actually up there with the BMW iX, though like all premium German machines of this ilk, there’s nonetheless a lurking and spurious emphasis on ‘sportiness.’ For what it is price, zero to 62 mph takes 5.6 seconds, and its prime pace is 124 mph. Not one for a YouTube-friendly drag race movie, then.
“Much better to settle right into a gentler groove, one which’s solely interrupted by a trip high quality that may be a little bit agency, significantly on the U.Ok.’s appallingly maintained B roads. The powertrain is silky in operation, the controls easily modulated. You may alter the quantity of regenerative braking on the fly by way of steering-column-mounted paddles, or depart the automobile to take cost itself within the adaptive drive mode.
“Throughout a 100-mile journey that combined again roads with freeway in disagreeable climate circumstances, I used to be averaging 2.5 miles/kWh, for a complete vary of round 270 miles. Though a way in need of Audi’s declare, it is about what I would anticipate in real-world circumstances. And tolerable.”
— Jason Barlow, Wired
“It is not a profound facelift that Audi’s made to its flagship electrical SUV, however the Q8 e-tron is without doubt one of the best methods to go electrical – you will hardly discover you are doing it. It hits all the proper Audi notes of premium, stable high quality with out resorting to brash gimmicks to attempt to get you to note it.
“It is heavy, sure, and costly, too, so it is hardly prefer it’s making electrical propulsion out there to the lots and has no specific claims to be saving the planet. That is the electrical car as a luxurious software, and as a refined, imposing grand tourer it makes a stable case for itself over most of its electrical rivals.
“Audi will let you know about torque vectoring and improved dynamics, and will even attempt to upsell you to a triple-motor 496bhp SQ8 with a 284-mile vary, however do not be fooled. It is a 2,500kg+ automobile that you’re going to by no means throw round with intent, it is a waft-express that is cozy, isolating and quiet. A simple to reside with safe-bet, in case your pockets are deep sufficient.”
— Sam Burnett, High Gear
“Adjustments to the Q8 E-tron’s steering and suspension enhance the driving expertise. A faster ratio of 14.6:1 as an alternative of the earlier 15.8:1 ends in a extra responsive wheel. The entrance suspension will get a stiffer bushings, and the adaptive air springs, which provide 3.0 inches of top adjustment, take in bumps and ruts with aplomb. Together with the suspension settings, the Q8 gives seven completely different drive modes, which alter trip top, accelerator response, steering really feel, stability management programming, and energy supply. Brake-energy regen could be adjusted by way of paddles on the steering wheel, and probably the most aggressive setting will nearly convey the automobile to a whole cease. The brake really feel is implausible, with no grabby spots within the pedal journey because the Q8 transitions from regen to friction braking.
“As is commonly the case on California’s Freeway 1, we needed to cease a number of instances resulting from highway building. Within the Q8 E-tron Status, with its massaging seats, the delay afforded the chance to chill and admire the drifting coastal fog because it floated gently over the panoramic glass roof. Effectively, throughout the second cease, we had been ready to do that. The primary one was spent delving by the in depth menus within the 10.1-inch higher show display screen to determine easy methods to flip off the varied lane-keeping beeps. For the file, it is in each the settings menu and on the top of the turn-signal stalk.
“The Q8 is screen-heavy, with a second show for local weather controls under the primary infotainment display screen. There’s additionally screen-based instrumentation, and within the Status trim we drove, a head-up show. The Q8’s inside is very like the outside, with a design that may very well be extra radical however actually will not upset anybody. The middle console format would not make the very best use of area for storage, with cupholders crammed up towards the shifter and the vertical cellphone slot, however there’s a left-side drawer within the sprint that is excellent for parking-garage tickets and secret snacks. Human area is great; the seats are comfy each entrance and rear — even within the sloped-roof Sportback.
“Electrical automobiles and SUVs lend themselves to consolation and luxurious. Audi was smart to acknowledge that and never try to make the Q8 too targeted on dealing with or acceleration. The improved vary means much less fear about recharging, permitting drivers to loosen up and benefit from the easy, quiet trip.”
— Elana Scherr, Automotive and Driver
“The Q8 E-tron lives as much as its billing offering an especially easy and quiet trip. Whether or not I used to be on cruise management at 80 mph on the 101 or transferring alongside cracked and uneven facet roads, there was little or no cabin noise. That wasn’t at all times the case in my time driving a mannequin with larger-than-standard wheels, although — there was a noticeable enhance in highway noise hitting the cabin. Although it could not look as cool, I would advocate going for the smaller 20-inch wheels to get extra tire between you and the highway. It is a luxurious SUV, in spite of everything.
“The adaptive air suspension positively deserves some credit score for the trip high quality, which could be adjusted for each top and firmness relying on the drive mode you choose. Although ‘dynamic’ mode is out there for the sharpest efficiency, retaining it in ‘consolation’ I nonetheless felt like there was far much less side-to-side physique motion than to be anticipated — and naturally, it was far much less harsh. Paired with a brand new tighter steering ratio, the Q8 E-tron felt extra nimble than I anticipated for a 5,800-pound SUV.
“With 402 horsepower out there flowing by twin electrical motors, the Q8 E-tron is a lot quick. As I remarked at a lunch break midway by our drive, ‘This factor hustles greater than anybody would ever anticipate an enormous SUV to.’ The 5.4-second 0-60 time is subtly quicker than the gas-powered Q8 and is totally ‘sufficient’ for any regular driver. Like all EVs the ability is out there immediately, on a regular basis — and the twin motors will present peace of thoughts in inclement climate.
“Audi’s drivetrain programming is nice, too. Energy is delivered easily in any respect speeds, although there is a large variation in pedal responsiveness between ‘effectivity,’ ‘consolation,’ and ‘dynamic’ mode. Within the latter you unlock an additional portion of ‘enhance’ energy, bringing a little bit additional shove. In common driving, I appreciated the clever transition between coasting at excessive speeds to regenerative breaking at decrease speeds and in corners. Although you at all times have the choice of flipping the wheel-mounted paddles for on-demand vitality regeneration.”
— Andrew Martonik, Digital Tendencies
“For the needs of a highway journey like this one up the coast and again from Healdsburg in Sonoma wine nation, the Q8 E-Tron is now good for 285 miles with its SUV physique model, and 296 for its ‘Coupe’ physique model that thus far has represented solely about 10-15% of gross sales. That is a considerable enchancment over the outgoing SUV’s 226 miles due to a brand new, extra effectively designed battery pack good for 114 kilowatt-hours versus 95 kWh. It additionally fees faster: a nonetheless so-so 170-kW max versus 150 at public quick chargers. AC residence charging is both an equally so-so 9.6 kW or, with the non-compulsory second charger, a nutty 19.2 kW that ought to futureproof your automobile for no matter superior residence chargers are launched (my state-of-the-art Wallbox Pulsar tops out on the identical 11.5 kW as lots of right this moment’s different EVs). All advised, I’d return after a day of driving – principally leisurely, however some bits extra vigorous – with 61 miles left. Good factor it bought these 59 additional miles, eh?
“Moreover the upgraded battery, these additional miles additionally consequence from the redesigned exterior’s aerodynamic enhancements that scale back drag by 6%. Additionally they enhance cabin noise, which Audi says is as quiet or quieter than the A8. Or, in the event you favor, my iPhone’s decibel meter app registered a median of 44 dB throughout a two-minute regular cruise at 60 mph. That is principally the identical quantity as an RS Q8 … parked.
“With that in thoughts and the Bundeswehr troop transport nonetheless ready for the sunshine to show inexperienced, it was time to make pattern of the Q8 E-Tron’s Bang & Olufsen sound system. As a result of, wow, is it ever good. The mixture of silent automobile, soft-touch inside surfaces and no matter speaker magic B&O cooked up ends in the closest factor you will get to a rolling recording studio. I heard issues for the primary time in tracks I’ve listened to numerous instances: birds chirping in Daisy the Nice’s ‘Report Participant’ and water babbling on the finish of Lord Huron’s ‘The Night time We Met.’ I may hear particular person Dua Lipa’s singing with Elton John on their quasi-duet of ‘Chilly Coronary heart,’ and much more of Alanis singing backup for Dave Matthews on ‘Spoon.’ I may swear the tambourine within the Beatles’ ‘Day within the Life’ was actually within the automobile banging away towards the lifeless pedal.”
— James Riswick, Autoblog
“Torque supply is easy and satisfying however acceleration just isn’t neck-snapping — watch for the SQ8 coming later this yr to really feel that. Vary is 285 miles for the SUV, 296 miles for the Sportback S Line, which have about 6 p.c much less drag than the outgoing E-Tron. The best vary is with the bottom Sportback with the Extremely bundle that’s rated for 300 miles from a single cost. It has 19-inch wheels with low resistance tires and a decrease suspension. And the Sportbacks haven’t got roof racks, solely the usual Q8 SUVs do.
“Electrical energy comes from the brand new 114 kWh battery pack that has 36 modules, every with 12 stacked prismatic cells that present about 20 p.c extra capability whereas including little weight and becoming into the identical area because the battery within the unique E-Tron.
“New Stage 2 charging at 19.2 kW cuts charging time to about 6.5 hours or it recharges in about 13 hours at 9.6 kW. The Q8 makes use of a 400-volt system. Audi will debut the 800-volt system on the Q6 E-Tron coming subsequent yr, which would be the first Audi on the Volkswagen Group’s new Premium Platform Electrical (PPE) platfor
“The opposite space that normally offers away an EV: harsh braking and aggressive regeneration that may take some getting used to. Within the case of the Q8, the braking feels pure and seamless. You could be forgiven for considering you’re in an ICE car. You may alter the quantity of regenerative braking with the paddle shifters on the steering wheel however the sensation is on the delicate facet. And there’s no one-pedal driving with the Q8 E-Tron fashions.
“A faster steering ratio and stiffened management arms shone throughout a day of twisty driving alongside California’s Pacific Coast after which wending by the redwood forests. Steering was simply heavy sufficient to really feel related to the chassis with out tipping the size in the direction of burdensome.”
— Alisa Priddle, Motor Development