The e-tron was one of the first fully electric luxury SUVs to reach the U.S. market, and for 2024, it will receive a slew of revisions, including a new Q8 moniker. The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron retains its floor-mounted battery, standard all-wheel drive courtesy of front and rear electric motors, and two-row, five-passenger configuration, so it may appear that nothing has changed. Despite the similarities, the Q8 e-tron has a number of significant enhancements in key areas.
To the untrained eye, the new car and the old e-tron appear largely identical, which is acceptable to some; the previous e-tron was understated but attractive. Others would have welcomed a more radical departure from the previous automobile. However, there is always the BMW iX with its “interesting” exterior design if you want something truly radical. Small detail modifications, such as an active grille with closing shutters and a new LED light strip at the front, distinguish the Q8 e-tron from its predecessor.
The transition to Q8 e-tron includes a number of improvements that are not visible. While the exterior and interior remain largely unchanged, the Q8 e-tron gains the option for a larger battery pack, gains additional range, and will charge slightly faster than its predecessor. It will also be available in a variety of variations. There will be a Q8 50 e-tron with a 95-kWh battery pack and its Sportback equivalent, whereas Q8 e-tron and Sportback models with the “55” designation will receive the more powerful battery pack.
The performance-oriented S models return with their three-motor configuration and increased output. The SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron Sportback represent the pinnacle of the new Q8 e-tron lineup and will command the highest premium, despite the fact that prices have not yet been disclosed.
The previous e-tron was a solid all-around vehicle, but the 2019 model debuted as an all-new model. Mercedes, BMW, Genesis, and others have caught up to the e-tron in just a few short years. With any luck, the updated model will maintain its relevance and make another, more convincing bid for the luxury EV SUV title.
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Q8 e-tron figures for power and torque
The Q8 e-tron will be available with a variety of motor and battery configurations. First is the Q8 50 e-tron base model (and its Sportback equivalent). Standard all-wheel drive is provided by two electric motors, one at the front and one at the rear. In boost mode, the base Q8 e-maximum tron’s output is rated at 335 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. In boost mode, that is less than the 2023 e-402 tron’s hp and 490 lb-ft, but keep in mind that the 50 is the new base model.
If you desire a bit more pep in your step, you’ll need to upgrade to the Q8 55 e-tron. In boost mode, maximum horsepower increases to 402 hp, while maximum torque remains unchanged. There’s the SQ8 e-tron for those of you who desire serious EV power. The SQ8 e-tron produces 496 horsepower and 718 lb-ft of torque courtesy of its three electric motors (two in the rear and one in the front).
Small modifications to the electric motors (such as the addition of two more coils for a total of 14) result in the motors producing more power while consuming less energy, thereby increasing the vehicle’s efficiency. In 2024, a battery with a higher capacity will be available. The Q8 50 e-tron employs the same 95 kWh battery pack as the previous e-tron, whereas the larger battery pack found in other models has a usable capacity of 106 kWh. Even though the more powerful battery is not appreciably larger, improvements in efficiency result in substantial range gains.
How is the interior of the Q8 e-tron?
Inside, almost nothing has changed. The dashboard inlays and menu structures of Audi’s class-leading MMI infotainment system will undergo the most significant revisions.
To give you a better idea of the interior, we’ll revisit some of our prior impressions of the Audi e-tron:
The e-tron excels at a number of fundamental functions. It is easy to enter and exit because the seats are at the ideal height and the doorways are squared off. Passengers will enjoy ample space, while the driver will enjoy an excellent driving position and an unobstructed view.
In contrast, the controls are a mixed bag. The drive mode shifter is unique and required some adjustment, whereas the majority of the smaller buttons function properly. However, the climate control and infotainment systems rely excessively on touchscreen interfaces. They are beautiful but overly complicated.
We anticipate that our interior experience will remain largely unchanged in the new car, though we will likely continue to lament the scratchier plastics.
Range and charging times for the Q8 e-tron
Range is a significant area of development for the Audi Q8 e-tron. Audi had a clear objective to achieve, as all of its competitors offered EV SUVs that easily surpassed 300 miles of range. For context, the current e-tron offers an estimated EPA range of 222 miles for the standard SUV and 218 miles for the Sportback. In our real-world range testing, the e-tron achieved 248 miles in its standard SUV body style and 238 miles in its Sportback body style.
While official EPA estimates are not yet available, the new Q8 e-tron has undergone testing in Europe. Under the slightly more lenient WLTP testing procedures, the Q8 e-tron outperformed its predecessor by a wide margin. The base model Q8 50 e-tron is rated at 491 kilometers (305 miles) for the standard SUV and 505 kilometers (314 miles) for the Sportback.
Q8 55 e-tron SUV models are rated at 582 km (351 miles) and Q8 55 e-tron Sportback models are rated at 600 km (372 miles) Due to their power outputs, the top-tier SQ8 e-tron trims will have less range, with ratings of 494 km (306 miles) for the SUV and 513 km (305 miles) for the Sportback.
In addition to having a longer range than its predecessor, the new Q8 e-tron also charges more quickly than its predecessor. Audi claims that under ideal conditions, the Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron will be able to charge at up to 170 kW at a DC fast-charging station and can reach 80 percent capacity in approximately 31 minutes. Models with the smaller battery pack will have the same 150 kW rapid-charging capability as the previous e-tron.
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