Electric Vehicle Review - Audi Q8 e-Tron
EV Review: Audi Q8 e-tron
What is it?
All manufacturers love to give their cars a refresh. Audi included. The e-tron has been the firm’s range-topping electric SUV and was the car to kick start the ‘e-tron’ name as a separate brand in the first place. The Q8 e-tron is particularly distinctive in Sportback guise.
But as the e-tron range has expanded, the naming of this big electric SUV has become more confusing. It’s why Audi has renamed it ‘Q8 e-tron’ to help to differentiate it from the rest of the line-up. And for good measure, it has given it a nice little nip and tuck across the board too.
What’s new?
But there’s more going on than just a change of name. No, the Q8 e-tron also uses a new, larger battery which results in more range than before, while you might notice the inclusion of Audi’s new ‘flat’ logo design. The exterior has been given a light refresh too in order to make things look a little sharper.
Changes to the car’s aerodynamics also mean that the Q8 e-tron can slice through the air more efficiently which, again, means more miles in between trips to the plug.
What’s under the bonnet?
We’re behind the wheel of the new 55 quattro model today and when in super-slippery Sportback design, allows the Q8 e-tron to return up to 343 miles of range from a single charge. The ‘regular’ Q8 e-tron delivers slightly less range thanks to its slightly boxier proportions, but it’s still respectable at 330 miles and significantly more than the 274 miles you’d get from the previous e-tron 55.
Performance is more than enough for most occasions, too. Audi claims zero to 60mph in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 124mph. Plus, rapid charging means you can take the Q8’s 106kWh battery to 10 to 80 per cent in 31 minutes when you’re plugged into a speedy charger.
What’s the Audi Q8 e-tron like to drive?
It’s pleasing to report that Audi has left the original e-tron’s great levels of comfort and refinement uninterrupted for its transition to the Q8. The steering has been revised slightly, but it’s still very well-judged and makes piloting the car easy. The Q8 e-tron also still accelerates far more rapidly than you’d expect a car of this size.
Overall the Q8 e-tron feels just as plush to drive as ever. Audi has done a good job to dial out the vast majority of exterior noises from entering the cabin, too. It’s required, too, as the lack of any engine noise means that any squeaks or rattles are almost instantly flagged up in an EV.
How does it look?
Audi has made quite the effort to breathe new life into the e-tron’s design - and it was never a bad-looking car in the first place. Whereas the previous model was quite under-the-radar in its appearance, however, this new one takes a far bolder approach with the single light bar running across the top of the bonnet now giving the Q8 e-tron a much more ‘futuristic’ design.
Around the back, things are a little closer to the car it replaces, with a full-width bar still in place. However, the clever aerodynamic tweaks - such as the special inlets at the front that help to channel air around the wheels - mean that Audi has implemented design changes which do have a practical use, not just an aesthetic one.
What’s the Audi Q8 e-tron like inside?
You’ve got the same basic layout inside the Q8 e-tron as you would’ve found in the previous e-tron. There’s plenty of headroom, too, while legroom for those sitting in the back is more than plentiful enough. If you want the most practical version, then we’d opt for the standard Q8 e-tron and its 569-litre boot - the sloping roofline of the Sportback drops this capacity to 528 litres instead.
The Q8 e-tron also has a very handy ‘frunk’. Placed where you’d usually expect to find an engine, this 62-litre storage area is ideal for storing the charging cables. It’s particularly handy when it has been raining and means you don’t have to drag wet cables into the interior of the car.
What’s the spec like?
Whichever specification of Q8 e-tron you opt for, there’s plenty of standard equipment. All versions regardless of trim get 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive air suspension and leather upholstery, so you’ve really got plenty of bells and whistles to begin with.
Audi has continued to offer its ‘Virtual Door Mirrors’ on the Q8, too. They take the place of the standard wing mirrors, replacing them with cameras that feed a picture to screens mounted just inside the doors. Though they’re very futuristic, we still find that ‘regular’ mirrors are just as easy to use and will cost far less to replace if damaged.
Audi Q8 e-tron Verdict
Audi has definitely given the e-tron some new life in its switch to Q8. The refinements that have been made are certainly useful, while the exterior redesign means that the Q8 e-tron now looks fresher and bolder than before.
But the big-hitting point is that extended range. More miles between the plug are always appreciated in an EV, so this only helps to further the Q8 e-tron’s appeal. If you want to have a look at the best leasing deals available on the Audi Q8 with My Electric Lease, click here.
