AUDI is realigning its naming conference for its electrical automobile vary, giving the e-Tron SUV and Sportback mannequin strains a prefix acquainted to its current inside combustion engine vary.
The complete-sized and authentic Audi battery electrical automobile (BEV) SUV recognized merely as e-Tron turns into the Q8 e-Tron, topping an all-electric SUV vary that can comprise others together with the This autumn e-Tron and forthcoming Q6 e-Tron.
Audi has not indicated whether or not any change of designation will filter by to the flagship e-Tron GT sports activities sedan.
Delicate visible updates to the mannequin that debuted Down Beneath in 2020 (and globally in 2018) have yielded aerodynamic enhancements, the SUV variant dropping to a slippery drag coefficient of 0.27Cd (down from 0.28Cd) whereas the Sportback improves significantly to 0.24Cd (down from 0.26Cd).
The smallest battery pack dimension is now 95kWh (previously 71kWh) and the biggest 106kWh (up from 95kWh), whereas the rear motor has been upgraded from 12 to 14 coils to create better output from comparable electrical energy enter.
Mixed with the diminished drag, the larger battery and improved motor effectivity has helped improve driving vary to 491km (SUV) and 505km (Sportback) for variants with the smaller battery and 582km (SUV) or 600km (Sportback) for these with the bigger pack.
New two-dimensional badging options on the B-pillar and there may be now an illuminated badge on the grille of the Q8 e-Tron. The grille itself is now out there as a colour-coded merchandise on SQ8 e-Tron variants (which substitute the e-Tron S).
The up to date fashions are additional recognized by new lighting therapies, wheel spoiler and grille shutters that contribute to the improved aerodynamics.
Inside, the Q8 e-Tron receives twin portrait-style infotainment touchscreens measuring 8.6- and 10.1 inches respectively in addition to the acquainted Digital Cockpit digital instrument panel. New options embrace as many as 40 new driver help programs, distant park help, an up to date myAudi smartphone app
The cabin options all kinds of recycled supplies, together with these created from PET drink bottles and combined automotive plastic waste.
Acquainted 50 and 55 mannequin designations for the dual-motor all-wheel drive Q8 e-Tron SUV and Sportback point out respective outputs of 250kW/664Nm and 300kW/664Nm.
The tri-motor SQ8 e-Tron produces 370kW/973Nm, from a 124kW electrical motor on the entrance axle and twin 98kW motors on the rear, able to offering instantaneous torque vectoring.
The 50 has the smaller battery pack whereas the 55 and SQ8 have the bigger battery pack, the latter’s new vary figures being 494km (SUV) and 513km (Sportback).
Most DC speedy charging capability is listed at 150kW for the small battery and 170kW for the large battery, enabling the latter to be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 31 minutes.
Audi will even supply 22kW and 11kW AC house charging models, respectively providing charging instances of 9 hours and quarter-hour or 4 hours and 45 minutes on 50 variants and 11 hours and half-hour or six hours for 55 and SQ8 variants.
Commonplace air suspension – now on extra inflexible entrance axle bearings – comes with adjustable damping and could also be diverse in journey top by a complete of 76mm. Audi says the Q8 e-Tron’s stability management program has been up to date to enhance manoeuvrability, whereas the faster steering ratio supplies what its maker says is “noticeably extra agility”.
Though Audi Australia has but to advise timing or pricing for the incoming Q8 e-Tron, it’s understood the mannequin vary will arrive in Australia in direction of the center of subsequent 12 months.
The present MY23 ‘e-Tron’ branded SUV and Sportback vary is priced from $138,323 to $173,900 plus on-road prices.
As a information, the ICE-powered Q8 vary begins at $133,800 plus on-road prices for the Q8 50 TDI S Line Quattro and tops out at $220,600 plus ORCs for the fire-breathing RS Q8 TFSI Quattro.
The Audi Q8 e-Tron will vie in opposition to rivals together with the BMW iX, Jaguar I-Tempo and Mercedes-Benz EQE, in addition to the returning Tesla Mannequin X.
