AUDI Australia is now taking orders for the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Q8 60 TFSI e, due right here from the fourth quarter of this yr, providing clients a bigger, extra highly effective SUV choice than the not too long ago launched Q5 55 TFSI e.
Ingolstadt’s electrification offensive is displaying no indicators of slowing down with This fall, Q6, Q8, and A6 E-Tron fashions coming onto the worldwide market and its PHEV vary can also be rising, providing “better of each worlds” efficiency for purchasers.
Just like the Q5 PHEV and in keeping with Audi Australia’s dedication to efficiency with its hybrid fashions, the Q8 chosen for this market is the extra highly effective of two variants out there globally – a choice Audi Australia says was deliberate.
“This automotive is efficiency targeted, nevertheless it’s additionally economical as effectively. That was the entire technique of going with the upper energy model and that’s the identical for the Q8 as effectively,” Audi Australia product supervisor Matthew Dale advised GoAuto on the current Q5 PHEV launch in Brisbane.
The Q8 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 producing 250kW/450Nm, bolstered by a 100kW/400Nm electrical motor, with a mixed output of 340kW/700Nm transferred to the street by way of Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
It makes the Q8 a potent straight-line performer, hitting triple figures in a claimed 5.4 seconds onto a prime pace of 240km/h – nudging it into SQ8 territory however with eco-friendly credentials besides. Below electrical energy solely, the Q8 will nonetheless attain a (greater than) highway-suitable 135km/h.
Audi has built-in the compact electrical motor inside the eight-speed automated transmission, enabling coupling and decoupling with the petrol engine as required and fed by a battery pack beneath the rear baggage compartment.
Upon beginning, the Q8 PHEV – just like the Q5 PHEV – shall be in electrical car (EV) mode, solely activating the petrol engine when the accelerator is depressed past a sure level.
The EV mode might be left on, which makes use of as a lot electrical help as attainable, in addition to providing drivers the selection of Auto, Cost and Maintain modes.
Cost mode is geared toward charging the batteries, whereas Maintain maintains present cost, and Auto will self-adjust between electrical and petrol energy relying on pace and cargo.
The Q8 PHEV has a 17.8kWh battery, which might be charged from flat-to-full in round 2.5 hours, gives as much as 59km (NEDC) of all-electric driving vary and Audi claims gasoline use of simply 2.6L/100km.
A coasting mode, additionally featured on the Q5 PHEV, will disengage the petrol engine in low load situations permitting as much as 25kW of regeneration, and underneath braking as much as 80kW of recuperative energy is obtainable.
Quite a lot of drive choose modes are included masking consolation, effectivity, auto, dynamic, particular person, and even an off-road mode that makes full use of the Quattro all-wheel drive system.
“This automotive, very like the Q5 plug-in hybrid, is ideal for somebody who desires to enter that electrification journey however won’t but be prepared for a full battery-electric car. In order cliche because it sounds, it’s one of the best of each worlds,” stated Audi Australia product planning govt, Chris Kwok.
Priced from $148,375 earlier than on-road prices the Q8 PHEV undercuts the performance-oriented SQ8 by round $20,000, however regardless of comparable energy outputs it’s a full 1.3 seconds slower to 100km/h than its sportier sibling – probably as a consequence of its further wight and being focused at a ‘greener’ buyer.
The beneficiant checklist of ordinary inclusions considerably explains the hefty price ticket, with out-of-the-box S-line styling together with new 21-inch wheels, HD matrix LED headlights, pink brake callipers, and inside it scores leather-based upholstery, Bang & Olufsen sound system, and Audi’s full suite of lively security know-how.
