New name and fitness program

Of course, the most obvious innovation in the Audi Q8 E-Tron is the model name. As the first model of the new PPE platform, the Audi Q6 E-Tron, will appear in 2024, the Ingolstadt-based company is adapting the nomenclature of its electric models. The first electric SUV Audi E-Tron available since 2018 is the second generation Audi Q8 E-Tron as a result.

However, not only the designation has been adapted for the second model generation. Audi is also upping the tech for the new Q8 E-Tron. Of course this was necessary. While e-SUV pioneer Audi has sold 150,000 e-trons since its launch four years ago, competition has already caught up with new electric models in the SUV segment, and the e-tron suddenly threatens to lag behind the competition.

Bigger batteries, more range

This will not happen in the new edition. Visually, not much has changed in the 4.92-metre-long and 2.5-tonne electric SUV flagship. But new battery technology is making it competitive again. The base version Q8 50 E-Tron has a larger battery with 95 kilowatt hours (kWh), the Q8 55 E-Tron, and the top model SQ8 E-Tron has a newly developed battery with an impressive capacity of 114 kWh. The Q8 E-tron 55 reaches a range of 600 WLTP kilometers, an increase of 32 percent, with its larger battery and 7.5 kilos lighter battery cover on the vehicle floor.

More aerodynamic body

However, for greater range, grinding has been done elsewhere as well. For example in aerodynamics. The wheel spoiler and aerodynamically positioned vents direct air more effectively than the wheels. Together with a new rear diffuser, these measures reduce the friction value of the Q8 E-Tron to 0.26; Even 0.24 with the coupe-like Sportback. The camera exterior mirrors are probably left for aerodynamic considerations. However, it is unclear why the monitors in the cockpit, which were already criticized for the E-Tron, were not positioned higher. Driving the Q8 E-Tron with optional camera rear view mirrors also takes a lot of getting used to.

Faster load times

The significantly revised electric SUV not only offers about a third more range than its predecessor, but also charges significantly faster. Peak charging power increases from 120 to 150 kilowatts (kW) for the small battery and from 150 to 170 kW for the large battery. That’s reasonable, but still incomparable to cars like the Porsche Taycan or Genesis GV60 with 800-volt technology. But the important thing is not only the peak of charging, but also that charging can be carried out at the highest possible level for as long as possible. Audi pays special attention to this point – the large 114 kWh batteries are charged from 10 percent to 80 percent after about 30 minutes. The Q8 E-tron draws 11 kW of electricity from an AC charging station, but up to 22 kW is also possible on demand, which should please any home charger.

Significantly better steering

Those who value good driving dynamics will also enjoy it. Audi technicians took criticism from the past seriously, especially when it comes to the steering wheel of the Q8 E-Tron. In any case, on our first test drive on winding roads, the steering responded much more harmoniously than before. He reacts faster from the middle position, looks much more direct but never nervous. Steering feel is much more intuitive and feedback is clearer. “This is also due to the wishbone bushings on the front axle, which are 1.5 times stiffer,” chassis developer Dieter Weidemann proudly admits. Combined with some tweaks to the chassis, which still consists of an air spring and adaptive dampers, the Q8 E-Tron turns more directly, looks lighter and stays neutral for long, even in fast, tight corners. At the beginning of the test drive we were uncomfortable with the perception of the electronic brakes with longer pedal travel, but by the end of our ride we were already used to it.

Our conclusion

With the Audi Q8 E-Tron you can be fast on demand but still comfortable on the road. Even in comfort mode, the body does not wobble uncomfortably when cornering. After our test drive on the Q8 55 E-Tron, with a few meters of altitude and lots of reverse, the trip computer shows a consumption of 28.5 kWh/100 km – 4.1 kWh above factory specification. A range of about 550 kilometers should actually be realistic. Prices for the Q8 E-Tron start at CHF 84,900 and the first models are expected to be delivered in February 2023. The most powerful SQ8 E-Tron will follow next, possibly from the second quarter of 2023 – only then will their prices be communicated.