The New Audi Q8 e-tron: Improved Efficiency and Range, Refined Design

Since the introduction of the Audi e-tron round 4 years in the past and gross sales of 150,000 items, Audi has been following a scientific electrical roadmap. Its electrical portfolio now contains eight fashions. By 2026, it can have greater than 20. At that time, Audi will solely be releasing absolutely electrical fashions on the worldwide market. “With our corporate strategy ‘Vorsprung 2030’, we’ve set a fixed date for our withdrawal from combustion engines and clearly decided that Audi will be a fully electric brand within 11 years,” stated Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “The new Audi Q8 e-tron, with its improved efficiency and range and refined design, is another important component in our electric portfolio to get people excited about electromobility with emotional models that are suitable for everyday use.” Audi Board Member for Technical Development Oliver Hoffmann additionally targeted on the shopper advantages enhanced by these refinements. “In the new Q8 e-tron, we were able to significantly increase both battery capacity and charging performance. This allowed us to achieve an optimal balance between energy density and charging capacity, as well as to increase efficiency,” Hoffmann stated. “On top of that, we improved the motors, progressive steering, and chassis control systems – and thus the dynamic driving characteristics that are typical of Audi in all versions of the Q8 e-tron.”

New face, new title, new company identification

By calling this mannequin the Q8, Audi is making a transparent assertion that the Audi Q8 e-tron is the highest mannequin amongst its electrical SUVs and crossovers. The Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron are instantly identifiable as absolutely electrical fashions at first look. This is due to the brand new entrance and rear designs with the attribute Singleframe masks, the inverted grille, and blade above the redesigned rear diffuser, which systematically carry Audi’s electrical design language ahead. An unique spotlight on the version S line bundle is the Singleframe grille, which is completed in physique coloration.

As a prestigious electrical SUV mannequin from Audi, the Q8 e-tron ushers within the new company identification with a two-dimensional design of the 4 rings on the outside. In order to raise the household emblem as a central factor, Audi highlights the automobile’s face with the projection gentle Singleframe. Additionally, the Q8 e-tron is the primary mannequin to function the brand new mannequin badge with Audi lettering on the B-pillar.

Maximum quantity of house and consolation

With a automobile size of 4.915 meters, a width of 1.937 meters, and a peak of 1.619 meters for the Sportback and 1.633 meters for the SUV, the Q8 e-tron gives a most quantity of house and consolation. The SQ8 e-tron ^{and SQ8 Sportback e-tron are every two millimeters decrease and 39 millimeters wider. Its wheelbase of two.928 meters permits for lots of legroom within the again seats too. It has a beneficiant storage quantity of 569 liters for the SUV and 528 liters for the Sportback. There are additionally 62 liters accessible within the entrance storage space, the so known as “frunk”.}

Three drivetrain variants

For each physique shapes, three drivetrain variants with electrical all-wheel drive might be chosen. With their two motors, the bottom fashions of the Audi Q8 50 e-tron ^{and the Audi Q8 Sportback 50 e-tron generate 250 kW in enhance mode and 664 Nm of torque, and they get a variety of as much as 491 km (SUV) and as much as 505 km (Sportback), in accordance with the WLTP.}

With their two motors, the Audi Q8 55 e-tron ^{and Audi Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron generate 300 kW in enhance mode and 664 Nm of torque. Their ranges are as much as 582 km for the SUV and as much as 600 km for the Sportback, in accordance with the WLTP. Their prime pace, and that of the Q8 50 e-tron, is proscribed to 200 km/h.}

The top-end Audi SQ8 e-tron ^{and Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron are powered by three motors. Their enhance efficiency quantities to 370 kW and 973 Nm of torque.}

The vary of the S fashions is as much as 494 km for the SUV and as much as 513 km for the Sportback. Their prime pace is proscribed to 210 km/h.

More battery capability and greater charging efficiency

Two battery sizes might be chosen. The battery of the Q8 50 e-tron ^{has a storage capability of 89 internet kilowatt-hours (95 gross kWh), whereas the extra highly effective variations of the Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron have 106 internet kWh (114 gross kWh). Thanks to an adjustment to the battery administration system, the battery capability usable for purchasers has elevated as nicely. At a high-powered charging station, the Audi Q8 50 e-tron reaches a most charging efficiency of 150 kW. With the Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron, the utmost charging efficiency will increase to as much as 170 kW. The massive battery might be charged from ten to 80 p.c throughout a roughly 31-minute charging cease – underneath excellent situations, this corresponds to a variety of as much as 420 kilometers (in response to WLTP). At an AC charging station or wallbox, the Audi Q8 e-tron fees at as much as 11 kW. Audi gives an non-compulsory AC charging efficiency of as much as 22 kW.}

Under excellent situations, the Audi Q8 50 e-tron ^{can fully cost in round 9 hours and quarter-hour (22kW: round 4 hours and 45 minutes) utilizing alternating present. The massive battery’s numbers are round 11 hours and half-hour at 11 kW and six hours at 22 kW. The Audi Q8 e-tron comes normal with the Plug & Charge operate. At appropriate charging stations, the automobile authorizes itself when inserting the charging cable and prompts the charging level. Billing occurs mechanically. The new charging service Audi charging, which is about to launch in 2023 and will sooner or later substitute the present e-tron Charging Service, will enable for handy entry to round 400,000 public charging factors throughout Europe. The e-tron route planner supplies dependable help when looking for charging factors alongside your route.}

Revised rear-axle motor and electrical torque vectoring for higher dynamics

For the brand new Audi Q8 e-tron, the asynchronous motor idea on the rear axle was modified. Instead of 12 coils producing the electromagnetic discipline, there are actually 14. The motor consequently generates a stronger magnetic discipline with comparable electrical energy enter, which in flip permits for extra torque. If this isn’t wanted, the electrical motor requires much less power to generate torque. This lowers consumption and will increase vary. With the e-tron vary’s S mannequin, Audi used a three-motor idea for the primary time in large-scale manufacturing.

This was refined for the brand new SQ8 e-tron^{. A 124-kW electrical motor is at work on the entrance axle. On the rear axle, there are two electrical motors every with 98 kW of output that every individually energy a rear wheel. This permits for a lift efficiency of as much as 370 kW. The drive torque might be distributed throughout each rear electrical motors between each wheels inside a cut up second.}

Balancing act between consolation and sportiness

The new Audi Q8 e-tron comes normal with an air-spring suspension with managed shock absorption. The peak of the automobile physique might be assorted by a complete of 76 millimeters, relying on the driving state of affairs. To optimize the lateral dynamics of the automobile, its air-spring tuning was adjusted. Moreover, its digital stability management (ESC) will enable for much more maneuverability sooner or later – particularly in tight corners. The Audi Q8 e-tron handles these with noticeably extra agility due to its revised progressive steering. The gear ratio of the steering system was modified in order that the steering responds far more shortly, even when making delicate steering actions. The impact of the direct steering ratio is supported by extra inflexible suspension bearings on the entrance axle. Steering actions are thus transmitted to the wheels extra straight, and suggestions from steering reactions is improved as nicely. All the chassis management methods had been adjusted, however they continue to be balanced and completely attuned – true to the Audi DNA.

Further improved aerodynamics

With the Audi Q8 e-tron, the subject of aerodynamics was a prime precedence. This resulted in a discount of the drag coefficient from 0.26 to 0.24 c_w for the Q8 Sportback e-tron and from 0.28 to 0.27 c_w for the Q8 e-tron. The wheel spoilers mounted on the underbody assist divert airflow across the wheels. The spoilers on the entrance axle had been enlarged, and the Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron now has spoilers on the rear wheels as nicely. With the SQ8 Sportback e-tron^{, spoilers are solely mounted on the rear axle. In the world across the grille, that is the primary time an Audi mannequin has had a self-sealing system along with the electrical shutters that mechanically shut the radiator. This system additional optimizes the airflow on the entrance of the automobile and prevents undesired losses.}

Convenient parking with distant park help plus

There are round 40 driver help methods accessible within the Audi Q8 e-tron. Up to 5 radar sensors, 5 cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors present environmental data that’s then analyzed by the central driver help management unit. Something new is distant park help plus, which shall be accessible to order beginning in 2023. With its assist, the Audi Q8 e-tron can maneuver into even the tightest parking areas. Customers can management the parking process by the myAudi app on their smartphones. When the automobile reaches its ultimate place within the parking house, it mechanically switches off, places on the parking brake, and locks the doorways. To go away the parking house, the motor is powered on by the myAudi app, then the automobile maneuvers out sufficient for snug entry.

Digital Matrix LED headlights

The Q8 e-tron optionally comes with digital Matrix LED headlights. While driving on the freeway, the orientation gentle marks the automobile’s place within the lane and helps the motive force stay securely within the heart in slim areas. Three different new options can be found as nicely: enhanced visitors data, the lane gentle with a course indicator and the orientation gentle on nation roads.

Luxury-class inside

The glass panorama roof makes the inside seem lighter and reinforces the sense of airiness and expansiveness. The glass parts open and shut electronically. The blackout sunshades are managed simply as conveniently. When it’s open, the two-part glass roof improves the local weather within the inside due to environment friendly air flow. An built-in wind deflector reduces wind noise as nicely. As a substitute for the usual two-zone automated local weather management, Audi can also be providing four-zone automated local weather management and an air quality package. The three-stage air flow supplies for snug seating, even at excessive out of doors temperatures. This is offered for the usual seats, whose leather-based is intricately perforated. The extremely adjustable particular person contour seats are the spotlight among the many inside choices. In addition to pneumatic seat and backrest changes, they can be ordered with a therapeutic massage operate. All furnishings include non-compulsory ornamental inlays of porous wooden veneers similar to grainy ash and sycamore, aluminum or, for the S line and version S line variations, a carbon fiber construction. New additions embody gentle brown walnut wooden and a sustainable technical materials made partially from recycled PET bottles.

High-resolution contact shows and voice management

Like all luxury-class Audi fashions, the Q8 e-tron makes use of the MMI touch response working system. Its two massive high-resolution shows – the highest one with a ten.1-inch diagonal and the underside one with an 8.6-inch diagonal – substitute practically all typical switches and knobs. Beyond operation with the 2 contact shows, numerous options might be activated by natural voice control. The digital show and working idea within the Audi Q8 e-tron is rounded out by the usual Audi virtual cockpit with full HD decision. Specific graphics depict all of the necessary features of electrical driving, from charging efficiency to vary. On request, a heads-up show might be added. On the German market, the Audi Q8 e-tron will come normal with MMI Navigation plus. Its media heart helps the high-speed knowledge transmission normal LTE Advanced, and it has an built-in WiFi hotspot for the passengers’ cellular gadgets. The navigation system intelligently recommends locations primarily based on beforehand traveled routes. On prime of that, the Audi join Navigation and Infotainment bundle contains car-to-X services.

Materials from recycling processes

The Audi Q8 e-tron shall be licensed as net-carbon-neutral¹ for purchasers in Europe and the USA. Audi additionally makes use of recycled supplies for some parts within the Audi Q8 e-tron. These supplies, handled by a recycling course of, cut back the quantity of sources used and guarantee a closed, environment friendly and sustainable materials loop.

In the inside of the Audi Q8 e-tron, Audi makes use of recycled supplies for insulation and damping, in addition to for carpeting. The ornamental inlay above the show, known as the Tech Layer, is offered with a brand new anthracite-colored technical materials that’s partially composed of recycled PET bottles. With the S line tools bundle, the game seats are upholstered in artificial leather-based and the microfiber materials Dinamica. Dinamica is made out of as much as 45 p.c polyester fibers which might be manufactured from recycled PET bottles, used textiles and fiber residue. In distinction to earlier microfiber high quality, the manufacturing of Dinamica can also be solvent-free – one other contribution to environmental safety.

Furthermore, some safety-related parts that partially comprise combined automotive plastic waste handled by a chemical recycling course of are used for the primary time – particularly, the plastic covers for the seatbelt buckles. As a part of the PlasticLoop mission, Audi labored with the plastics producer LyondellBasell to determine a course of through which chemical recycling shall be used for the primary time to reuse combined automotive plastic waste within the sequence manufacturing of the Audi Q8 e-tron. In this process, collectively carried out with LyondellBasell, plastic parts from buyer automobiles that may not be repaired are dismantled and separated from international supplies similar to metallic clips earlier than being shredded and processed into pyrolysis oil by chemical recycling. This pyrolysis oil is then used as a uncooked materials within the manufacturing of latest plastics in a mass-balance strategy².

Market launch in spring 2023

The market launch of the brand new Audi Q8 e-tron and Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron, which shall be accessible to order beginning in mid-November, is deliberate to occur on the finish of February 2023 in Germany and an important European markets. In the USA, the mannequin is predicted to return to the market on the finish of April. The base value for the Audi Q8 e-tron in Germany shall be 74,400 euros.