Audi e-tron gets new name and longer range

10 November 2022

The charging speed, design, and name of the vehicle are just a few of the many things that Audi has improved on with the Q8 e-tron.

The Audi e-tron is an excellent EV but the one main area for improvement is its electric driving range, which is less than that of the smaller Audi Q4 e-tron.

However this issue has now been addressed with the announcement that the Audi e-tron is gaining a new, larger 114 kWh battery, giving a range of up to 343 miles, and the revised model will be called the Audi Q8 e-tron.

You’ll still be able to choose between an SUV and a Sportback body style, and there will also be an SQ8 e-tron and an SQ8 Sportback e-tron.

It’s not just the e-tron’s battery and driving range that have been improved, but there are also other updates including design tweaks, improved aerodynamics, and shorter charging speeds with up to 170 kW charging capability - and it even features a new Audi logo.

There will be three drivetrain variants, with each one featuring all-wheel drive. The Audi Q8 50 e-tron and the Audi Q8 Sportback 50 e-tron, with two electric motors delivering 250 kW (340 PS) of power in boost mode and 664 Nm of torque, feature a 89 kWh (95 kWh gross) battery, delivering WLTP Combined driving ranges of up to 281 miles for the SUV and up to 290 miles for the Sportback.

The Audi Q8 55 e-tron and Audi Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron also have two electric motors, and generate 300 kW (408 PS) in boost mode and 664 Nm of torque. Their ranges are up to 330 miles for the SUV and up to 343 miles for the Sportback, thanks to a 106 kWh (114 kWh gross) battery. The top speed, and that of the Q8 50 e-tron, is limited to 124 mph.

The Audi SQ8 e-tron and Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron feature three motors delivering up to 370 kW (503 PS) and 973 Nm of torque. The SQ8 models share the same 106 kWh (114 kWh gross) battery as the Q8 55 e-tron, delivering a range up to 284 miles for the SUV and up to 295 miles for the Sportback. Top speed is limited to 130 mph.

The Audi Q8 50 e-tron has a maximum charging capacity of 150 kW, which increases up to 170 kW with the Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron. The larger battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in 31 minutes, which could add 240 miles of range.

One of the most useful features of the e-tron remains: the Q8 e-tron SUV has a 569-litre boot, and the Sportback has a 528-litre boot. There are also 62 litres available in the front storage area (the ‘frunk’).

The Q8 e-tron comes as standard with air suspension which can raise the ground clearance by 76mm.

The Audi Q8 e-tron will go on sale in mid-November, with first deliveries due in April 2023. Full UK pricing and specification is yet to be confirmed.