Let’s get rid of the confusing part: everything you read next has nothing to do with Audi’s flagship crossover, the full-size Q8. No, it is a mid-cycle update of the German automaker’s e-tron, its first all-electric vehicle, which since its appearance just about 4 years ago has recorded worldwide sales of 150,000 units.
This whole update of the mid-size sports EV crossover, which will be a 2024 model, is accompanied by a trick of the call of the e-tron. speaking at the model’s recent Zoom presentation.
“In 2019, Audi brought its first battery-electric vehicle, the Audi e-tron SUV. A year later, the Sportback variant arrived. . . Since then, the circle of e-tron relatives [has grown]. We have announced two more electric vehicles, the Q4 e-tron family circle, as well as the e-tron GT supercar sedan,” Balkcom said.
“This is the right time to update the circle of Audi e-tron family members and that includes giving it a new name. Starting this fall, the e-tron family circle will be called the “Q8 e-tron family circle. “The goal is to integrate the e-tron into Audi’s new naming strategy, which will speak very simply, very accurately and very obviously to our consumers about the prestigious positioning of our electric SUV at the highest level.
It’s not that Audi hasn’t done this before. Forty years ago, it brought the capital Q Quattro sports coupe, which became the formidable rally car of the early 80s, with a then-new all-wheel drive system. , known as the petit-q quattro and which has the ultimate powertrain in almost each and every one of the upcoming Audi since then.
The history lesson is over, let’s be clear. The aforementioned Q8 crossover, the one that rivals Mercedes’ GLS and BMW’s X7, doesn’t have an electric powertrain, at least not yet. But Audi has followed what it calls “a systematic electric roadmap. “Its electric portfolio now includes 8 models. By 2026, it will have more than 20. At the time, the company announced that it would only market all-electric models on the world market.
Let’s go back to the updated Q8 e-tron, i. e. the crossover recently known as e-tron: its entire redesign starts with a significant increase in battery capacity and charging performance. “In addition to this,” says Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Audi Board of Management for Technical Development, “we have improved the engines, progressive guidance and chassis systems and thus the typical Audi driving dynamics in all versions of the Q8 e-tron.
Addressing the technical facets first: the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron 2024 will be presented in 3 variants – 50, 55 and S – with a choice of 3 all-wheel drive electric drivetrains. Equipped with two engines, the entry-level Q8 50 e-tron and Q8 50 Sportback e-tron will generate 335 horsepower (250 kW) in Spice Up mode and 490 lb-ft of torque, with Audi claiming diversity of up to 491 km (for the SUV) and 505 km (Sportback), according to the WLTP (Worldwide-harmonized Light Test Procedure).
With its two engines, the Q8 55 e-tron and the Sportback e-tron will generate 402 hp (300 kW) in Spice Up mode and 490 lb-ft of torque, with a diversity that will expand to 582 km for the SUV and six hundred km for the Sportback, it is again in line with the WLTP. The SQ8 e-tron is powered by 3 engines producing 496 hp (370 kW) combined and 718 lb-ft of torque. The diversity is up to 494 km for the SUV; and 513 km for the Sportback. These figures constitute a huge improvement over the existing 2023 e-tron, which has a distance of just 364km: smart when it first came out, but now surpassed by several electric cars that have hit the market. market since then.
For the new Q8 50 and 55 e-tron, the asynchronous motor on the rear axle has been modified. Instead of 12 coils that generate the electromagnetic field, there are now 14. The motor generates a more powerful magnetic field, which in turn allows for more torque. If more torque is not needed, the electric motor requires less energy to generate, which reduces intake and increases range.
With the Model S, Audi used a three-engine concept for the first time in full-scale production. A 166-horsepower electric motor is painted on the front axle. On the rear axle, there are two electric motors, one for wheel, reaching 131 hp. Torque can be distributed between the two rear electric motors between the wheels in a fraction of a second. Audi got rid of the 71kW battery (which doesn’t feature in the 2023 style in Canada) and manufactured the 95kW (gross) entry-level battery of the new Q8 50. The 55 and S versions, meanwhile, come with a 114 kWh (gross) battery.
Adjustments to the battery control formula increase usable capacity. At a charging station, Audi claims that the Q8 50 e-tron achieves a maximum charging functionality of 150 kW. With the Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron, maximum load functionality increases to 170 kW. Under ideal conditions, the giant battery can be charged to 80% with 10 seconds of charging of approximately 30 minutes, which corresponds to a diversity of up to 420 km (according to WLTP). At an AC charging station or wallbox, the Q8 e-tron charges up to 11 kW.
At 4. 91 metres, the new e-tron 50 and 55 Q8 are progressively longer than the existing model. The SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 Sportback e-tron are each two millimetres lower and 39mm wider. The crossover has a garage volume of 569 liters for the SUV and 528 liters for the Sportback. There are also 62 liters in “frunk”, the front garage area.
Aerodynamics have become a more sensible precedent for the new e-tron, Balkcom says. “Efficiency is one of the main drivers of the electrical diversity of a battery electric vehicle. We started boosting through aerodynamics, for example, by adding ailerons on the wheels to the underbody to better control the airflow around the wheels. The ailerons on the front axle have been enlarged and the Sportback e-tron now also has ailerons on the rear wheels.
With the SQ8 Sportback e-tron, the ailerons are only fixed on the rear axle. In the domain around the grille, the EV has a self-sealing formula in addition to electric blinds that close the radiator, a first for an Audi model. Formula extra optimizes airflow at the front of the car and prevents unwanted losses. In total, this resulted in a relief in the resistance coefficient to 0. 24 cd from 0. 26 for the Sportback e-tron and 0. 27 cd from 0. 28 for the e-tron.
The new Q8 e-tron comes popular with air suspension. The height of the frame can be adjusted through a total of 76 mm, depending on the driving situation. In addition, its electronic stability control will enable even greater handling, says Audi, especially in tight corners, thanks to the revised progressive guidance. The gear ratio of the guide formula has been replaced so that the guide responds much faster, even in “difficult” guide movements.
Switching to the cab, Audi offers an optional four-zone automatic climate formula as well as the popular two-zone formula. According to the automaker, the three-level ventilation provides comfortable seating even in high outside temperatures. In addition to the popular seats, fully adjustable separately contoured seats will be optional, with pneumatic seat and backrest changes and a massage function.
Like all Audi luxury models, the Q8 e-tron uses the MMI Touch Reaction operating system. Its two large, high-resolution presentations, the smarter 10. 1-inch and the rear 8. 6-inch, update almost all traditional switches and buttons. Beyond running with either touchscreen, many functions can be activated via voice command. The virtual demonstration and operating concept of the Q8 e-tron are complemented via the Audi virtual cockpit with Full HD resolution.
Obviously, Audi is confident that the full updates of the Q8 e-tron will put it back at the forefront of EV crossovers. “component of our electric portfolio to generate people’s enthusiasm for electromobility with emotional models suitable for use,” says Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG.
The market launch of the new Q8 e-tron is scheduled for the end of February 2023 in Germany and other European markets. In North America, the model is expected to hit the market by the end of April. Pricing for North America has yet to be announced. The base value of the Q8 e-tron in Germany will be 74,400 euros (approximately $99,400 Canadian at the time of writing); The value of existing 2023 style levels from approximately $87,000 to $96,000.
365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, ONTARIO M4W 3L4
© 2022 Driving, a department of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized dissemination, transmission or transmission is strictly prohibited.
This uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads) and allows us to analyze our traffic. Learn more about cookies here. By continuing to use our Array, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Change your possible options to eliminate cars if you need to charge more.
You can charge a maximum of five cars to your selections.