Audi expands e-Tron lineup with new Q8 e-Tron flagship SUV

Audi expands e-Tron lineup with new Q8 e-Tron flagship SUV 

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Audi entered the EV fray in 2018 with its e-Tron electrified products. Since then, the carmaker has been working hard to enhance its models.

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Now, Audi is expanding the e-Tron range with the introduction of the Q8 e-Tron, which is available in two variants, the Q8 e-Tron and Q8 Sportback.

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The new Audi Q8 e-Tron is available in Q8 50 e-Tron, Q8 55 e-Tron and range-topping Q8 SQ8 e-Tron guises. Starting with the former, it wields an 89 kWh battery pack that powers the two electric motors on each axle for a total of 250 kW in Boost mode and 664 Nm of torque. 

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This particular model in boxy body configuration can travel up to 491 km or 505 km for the Sportback variant while silently taking 6 seconds to get from 0-100 km/h.

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As for the Q8 55 e-Tron and Sportback variants, both produce 300 kW and 664 Nm, thanks to a bigger 104 kWh battery pack that also gives the pair 582 km or 600 km worth of driving range, respectively, depending on the body style. These hit 100 km/h from standstill in 5.6 seconds before maxing out at 200 km/h. 

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The SQ8 e-Tron on the other hand, comes with three electric motors; two at the back and one mounted on the front axle. With this setup, the SQ8 e-Tron pumps out 370 kW of power and an earth-shaking 973 Nm of torque, courtesy of a 104 kWh battery pack. 

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In standard body configuration, the SQ8 e-Tron can travel up to 494 km on a single charge and up to 513 km for the Sportback body shape. It completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds, with the top speed kicking in a tad faster 210 km/h. 

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The Q8 50 e-Tron has a maximum charging performance of 150 kW, while the 55 and SQ8 models hike the figure to 170 kW. The battery packs can be recharged from 10 to 80% in 31 minutes, adding about 420 km of driving range. The AC charging station or wall box allows up to 11 kW of charging performance, and buyers can have up to 22 kW AC as an option. 

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Aesthetically, the new Audi Q8 e-Tron follows the same design language worn by the current e-Tron models but with a new front end that consists of the Singleframe grille that has become synonymous with the four-rings manufacturer. It has new rear designs, an inverted grille, a reworked rear diffuser, and a front grille painted in the body shade.

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For the first time in an Audi, the Q8 e-Tron features the new model badge with Audi lettering on the B-pillar.

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Inside, the Q8 e-Tron features the same MMI touch response operating system fitted in luxury-class Audi models. A top 10.1" diagonal and a bottom 8.6" diagonal screen replace the conventional switches and knobs. There is also a standard Audi virtual cockpit with full HD resolution, and buyers can add a heads-up display as an option. 

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In terms of sizing, the cars measure 4.9 m in length and 1.9 m in width and sits 1.62 m high(Sportback), while the SUV variant measures 1.63 m in height.

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Audi open overseas order books for the new Q8 e-Tron in mid-November, and other markets will follow suit in the new year.