This all-electric Audi SUV can float effortlessly into a number of disciplines and by no means appear misplaced or behind the pack
August 19, 2023 at 12:33
The 2024 mannequin yr for the Q8 e-tron marks a shift for Audi. Up to now, this identical mannequin was merely often known as the e-tron however because the automaker continues to skew towards a fully-electric lineup, differentiating one from the others is significant. So for 2024, that is now the Q8 e-tron and it’s meant to be the model’s clear flagship electrical SUV in the identical method that the ICE Q8 achieves that function on the gas-burning facet of the enterprise.
Quite than merely add to the identify, Audi has additionally seen match to refresh the mannequin with numerous enhancements on the identical time. It now includes a bigger battery pack than it did prior to now, the vary is larger too as is the utmost charging velocity. The suspension and steering are totally different and the outside advantages from a number of neat nips and tucks right here and there to maintain issues recent.
Are all of these modifications sufficient to maintain the Audi Q8 e-tron related in a area that’s swelling with an increasing number of electrified choices? Is it even worthy of being the flagship EV for such a storied model? We bought our fingers on one for a number of days and took it far up into the mountains of Colorado to search out out.
Audi sells the Q8 e-tron in 4 trim ranges together with Premium, Premium Plus, Status, and Launch Version. MSRP begins at $74,400 however can shoot up into the low $90,000s fairly simply. All use the identical powertrain, comprising a 117 kWh battery pack and dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 402 hp (299 kW). For a deeper dive into every of the trim ranges together with pricing see our explainer right here. Our check car is a Launch Version model with non-compulsory Daytona Grey paint and a Flint grey inside.
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Powering Up
As talked about, each Q8 e-tron makes use of the identical fundamental battery and motor package deal together with a 117 kWh battery and two electrical motors, one on every axle. They mix for a most of 402 horsepower (299 kW) and 490 lb-ft (663 Nm) of torque when in full use. In most driving conditions although they rein issues right into a barely extra manageable 355 hp (264 kW) and 414 lb-ft (560 Nm) of torque.
In earlier years, the e-tron may solely cost at 150 kWh speeds. This yr, the Q8 e-tron will get a bump to 170 kWh, which signifies that it might go, in an optimum scenario, from 10% state of cost to 80% in simply 31 minutes. The difficulty, after all, could possibly be with discovering a public station that prices at that velocity. We suspect most consumers will cost at residence however Audi has some intelligent options to enhance that have too.
It comes with a 9.6 kW onboard charger which lets it cost on a 240v family outlet in 13 hours. An non-compulsory 19.2 kW onboard charger cuts that point to simply 6.5 hours. Audi additionally presents a charging port on all sides of the e-tron particularly in order that consumers who cost at residence can park on both facet with out having to think about it. Take into account although that the DC fast-charge port is simply on the motive force’s facet of the automotive.
Typically talking, when utilizing a charger that really labored, we discovered the transaction to be simple and fast. The Q8 e-tron has an EPA-estimated 285 miles (459 km) of vary and our expertise was proper in keeping with that. In actual fact, when rolling down mountains, it picked up sufficient cost that over the course of 1 30-mile journey we’d misplaced simply 7 miles (11 km) of vary.
Smooth Inside Styling
Audi has lengthy been creating cabins which can be clearly crafted for optimum ergonomics. The Q8 e-tron continues that pattern with a really driver-centric structure that includes stacked infotainment and local weather management screens together with a fully-digital gauge cluster and a vivid easy-to-read heads-up show.
In observe, that infotainment system is clean, quick, and largely intuitive. Some controls, like that of the seat bolstering, are considerably buried within the system although so we want there have been a number of extra easy easy bodily controls as a substitute. The sprint is angular, futuristic, and enticing with out being overly luxurious or dripping in extra.
The middle console itself consists of a giant middle elbow relaxation together with a hand relaxation and a protruding trapezoidal gear lever. Between the 2 is a cupboard space the place one can place two drinks, a cell system, and some different issues. Audi included a small clip the place one’s cellphone goes to maintain it snuggly pressed towards the wi-fi charging pad. That’s a pleasant contact.
Learn: We’re Driving The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron What Do You Need To Know?
Not every thing within the cabin is a complete smash hit although. The identical middle console part, for instance, options these lengthy plastic bars that run from the middle management stack again to the rear local weather management console. They don’t appear to serve a function however they do present a little bit of a pure impediment from stepping into the middle storage space. It appears as if the plastic runners could possibly be for resting one’s arm however the elbow pad does a much better job for that activity. Among the storage is de facto cool although.
Simply beneath and to the left of the steering wheel there’s a storage cubby that’s virtually egregiously deep. We imply that in a great way too. It’s massive sufficient to stow a small umbrella or no matter different belongings you would possibly carry which can be equally sized. It’s so uncommon and considerably forgettable that that’s precisely what occurred. I really misplaced my pockets for about 20 minutes solely to appreciate that I’d safely tucked it in there hours beforehand.
The rear seats aren’t as fancy as the remainder of the cabin although and will do with a bit extra bolstering in our eyes. The 40/20/40 split-folding characteristic is good although and even permits for reducing simply the center part. Whether or not or not Audi meant on it, that appears to harken again to the times of automobiles just like the A4 that had a ski-bag that might go into the cabin from the trunk by way of the identical area.
The trunk presents 28.5 cubic ft of storage which expands to 57 with the seat backs folded down. That motion might be completed from the rear cargo space however returning them to their upright place requires going again as much as the edges of the Audi. Whereas that cargo space isn’t as massive as one would possibly discover on some rivals, it was greater than large enough for a few highway bikes, some gear, and even a 3rd passenger.
The place We’re Going We Don’t Want Oxygen
This is likely to be a flagship however not each statistic makes it appear that method. For instance, Audi says it’ll take 5.3 seconds for this SUV to go from 0-60 mph (96 km/h). That’s not precisely fast for an EV nevertheless it feels lots quick in individual. Whereas straight-line velocity is the place the e-tron, like most EVs, makes its most evident impression, it’s within the bends the place enthusiastic drivers will find it irresistible most.
Audi added a faster steering rack and revised a few of the suspension elements on the entrance of the Q8 e-tron and it’s apparent. This huge and considerably heavy SUV corners extremely nicely given these aforementioned attributes. The electrified Quattro system brilliantly permits the automotive to pivot with out dropping front-end grip and the result’s an virtually chuckable 5,798-pound SUV.
The steering is considerably heavy however in a nice method that gives excellent suggestions. Furthermore, the nostril of the Q8 e-tron goes precisely the place one tells it to, even when that’s a nook that appears just too tight for it. The brakes and accelerator really feel virtually identically linear. Every presents clear communication about what it’s doing and every is straightforward to modulate.
The mountains of Colorado had been a terrific place to check as nicely as a result of whereas a combustion-powered automotive may need struggled within the skinny air, the Q8 e-tron had no such subject. It handled the steep grades and the tight bends of the roads between Copper Mountain and Fraser earlier than gaining again many miles of vary on the best way down into Denver. The Continental CrossContact tires had been quiet and confidence-inspiring no matter floor circumstances.
In actual fact, in most driving conditions, the Q8 e-tron is solely a composed on a regular basis SUV. There are a minimum of seven totally different drive modes and every is extra distinct than in years previous. Audi’s driver aids permit for full-speed stop-and-go cruise management which was as helpful because it was refined. Whereas some adaptive cruise techniques would possibly give away that an actual human isn’t on the helm, this one is buttery clean. When correctly geared up, the Q8 e-tron can tow as much as 4,000 kilos.
Battling Giants
The Q8 e-tron isn’t an enormous fish in a small pond the best way it was when it debuted as merely the e-tron. Now, it has competitors from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Cadillac, and Genesis, and naturally, Tesla isn’t going wherever.
The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron isn’t the quickest, the largest, essentially the most luxurious, or the most effective worth in its class nevertheless it would possibly simply be the good. It is rather athletic and it’s greater than posh and spacious sufficient for many. On high of that, it presents a sincerely enticing mixture of each typical Audi design and future-proof touches that assist it stand out. It’s sort of just like the cool protagonist you see in some media types.
They won’t be an ideal professional or grasp at anybody facet of life however the best way they effortlessly float between disciplines makes all of them the extra enticing. That’s the Q8 e-tron. An SUV that may do virtually something you want it to do all whereas having a candy spot for Mom Earth on the identical time.