Audi’s first electric car has received a mid-life facelift, with a new name and bigger batteries offering up to 44 per cent more driving range.
The Audi E-Tron electric SUV has been given a facelift – and a new name, now badged the 2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron – with the first Australian arrivals expected mid next year.
The Audi E-Tron large SUV was launched in 2018, but the brand’s electric line-up has since grown to include the Q4 E-Tron and E-Tron GT.
Audi says it is time for a new name to differentiate the original E-Tron from its newer stablemates.
The Q8 E-Tron signifies the new model as Audi’s largest and most luxurious electric SUV – and which will sit alongside, not replace the petrol and diesel-engined Q8 in showrooms today, Audi officials have confirmed.
Headlining the Q8 E-Tron’s upgrades is more driving range and power than before, allowing the most efficient variants with the largest batteries to cover up to a claimed 600km on a charge, according to European WLTP testing.
The entry-level Q8 E-Tron 50 has swapped the current 71kWh battery for the 95kWh (gross; or 89kWh usable) pack in today’s E-Tron 55 – while the range-topping Q8 E-Tron 55 and SQ8 E-Tron have upgraded to a new 114kWh (gross, or 106kWh usable) battery, the latter with new nickel-cobalt-aluminium chemistry.
Driving range on Europe’s WLTP test cycle is rated at 491km and 505km respectively for the Q8 E-Tron 50 ‘wagon’ and Sportback (up 44 per cent from 341km and 351km previously).
Meanwhile, Audi quotes 582km and 600km for the Q8 E-Tron 55 wagon and Sportback (up 32 per cent from 440km and 453km previously), and 494km and 513km for the SQ8 wagon and Sportback (up from 374km and 379km).
Enabling the increased flagship battery capacity and driving range are more energy-dense battery cells – while reduced aerodynamic drag and a new rear electric motor (with more coils inside, claimed to improve performance and increase range) have contributed for all models.
Outputs in ‘boost’ mode range from 250kW/664Nm in the entry-level Q8 E-Tron 50 (vs 230kW/540Nm previously), 300kW/664Nm in the Q8 E-Tron 55 (no change), and 370kW/973Nm in the SQ8 E-Tron (also unchanged).
All models are all-wheel drive – but whereas the 50 and 55 have dual motors, the SQ8 introduces a tri-motor layout, with one electric motor connected to each rear wheel for improved torque-vectoring capabilities.
Audi quotes 0-100km/h times for the 50, 55 and S models of 6.0 (down from 6.8), 5.6 (down from 5.7) and 4.5 seconds (unchanged) respectively. Top speeds are 200km/h in the Q8 E-Tron 50 and 55, or 210km/h in the SQ8 E-Tron.
Connected to a compatible DC fast charger, Audi says the Q8 E-Tron 50 can recharge at up to 150kW – up 30kW on the old E-Tron 50, but matching the outgoing E-Tron 55 – while the Q8 E-Tron 55 and SQ8 E-Tron can now recharge at up to 170kW.
Models with the larger battery can cover a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 31 minutes.
AC home charging at up to 11kW is standard – allowing for a full charge in nine hours and 15 minutes for the 50, or 11 hours and 30 minutes for the S – while 22kW charging is optional, cutting those times to four hours and 45 minutes, and six hours respectively.
Adaptive air suspension is standard, allowing the height of the body to be varied by a total of 76mm. Chassis changes for the facelift include a quicker steering ratio and tune, and retuned suspension calibration.
Contributing to the improved driving range ratings are aerodynamic changes, which have cut the coefficient of drag from 0.28 to 0.27 for the Q8 E-Tron ‘wagon’, or 0.26 to 0.24 for the Q8 E-Tron Sportback – the latter matching the far lower E-Tron GT sports sedan.
Audi attributes these to new wheel spoilers under the body (and under the rear wheels on some models), larger aero spoilers below the front axle, tweaked active grille shutters, and a “self-sealing” system around the grille.
The exterior has been refreshed with a restyled front end closer to newer Audi models – housing redesigned air intakes and an LED light bar at the top of the grille – plus a new rear bumper inspired by the Q4 E-Tron, and updated wheel designs.
Simplified Audi badges with a white, two-dimensional look feature around the car – which are set to spread to future electric Audis – while the model name is now printed on the pillars behind the front doors, in addition to the tailgate.
Digital matrix LED headlights remain available as an option, and can now project traffic information, navigation directions and the car’s position in its lane on the road ahead.
Inside, there have been few changes, with three screens – a 12.3-inch display for driver instruments, a 10.1-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, and an 8.6-inch touchscreen for air-conditioning controls – carrying over.
Additions for 2023 include light brown walnut wood and recycled bottle-derived ‘technical’ dashboard inlay options, and a greater focus on sustainable materials, including synthetic Dinamica microfibre seat inserts in S Line models (made partly from recycled plastic bottles), and recycled plastic from old cars used in the seatbelt buckles.
Luxury highlights carried over from the current E-Tron include heated, ventilated and massaging seats, traditional leather seats, a panoramic glass roof, and two, three or four-zone automatic climate control.
Safety has seen an upgrade, with a new remote park assist plus feature (available next year) allowing drivers to maneuver the car into tight parking spaces from a smartphone app, while the human stands outside of the vehicle.
Audi executives recently told media 2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron electric SUV is due in Australia in late autumn or early winter next year – pointing to about June next year. Pricing will be announced closer to launch; the current model is priced from $147,700 to $173,900 plus on-road costs.
The entry-level E-Tron 50 variant was axed in Australia earlier this year, for Model Year 2023 production. It remains to be seen if it returns for the facelifted Q8 E-Tron, now it is equipped with a bigger battery pack.
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