Why the facelifted Audi E-Tron gets such a confusing name

This is the facelifted Audi E-Tron. Incidentally, from now on we can no longer call it E-Tron, because Audi has come up with a new name. One that is confusing and totally illogical. Even Audi struggles to explain why this is the Q8 E-Tron.

Audi’s price list includes three all-electric models: the Q4 E-Tron, the E-Tron GT, and the four-year-old E-Tron. It is an SUV in the format of the Audi Q5, but suddenly gets the Q8 rating after its facelift. Why? Because Audi is already pre-sorting the successor to the E-Tron, which will be significantly larger and therefore deserves the name Q8 E-Tron.

Audi E-Tron with larger grille

Then the facelift. It actually has little to do with that. The E-Tron’s appearance remained largely the same, with the only obvious difference being the larger single-frame grille, which now features a bold bezel.

It’s a bit of a shame that Audi follows the trend slavishly and mounts an LED strip above the grille that connects the light units.

Bigger battery for Audi Q8 E-Tron

Nothing has changed inside the E-Tron, so let’s dive under the “bonnet”. And there we see a nice development. The Q8 E-Tron has a significantly larger battery than its predecessor.

The basic version goes from 71 to 95 kWh, so its range jumps from 336 to 491 kilometers in one fell swoop. He is also more powerful (plus 28 hp to 341 hp).

Range up to 600 kilometers

The Q8 E-Tron 55 and S now have a 114 kWh battery (previously 95 kWh) and a range of up to 600 kilometers (Q8 E-Tron 55 Sportback). Nothing else changes in their powertrain.

The 55 has two electric motors with a total of 408 hp. In the S you have three under your feet, with a total of 503 hp. Fast charging has been improved on all E-Trons to 150kW on the 50 and 170kW on the 55 and S.