- The Audi e-tron has been refreshed, becoming the Q8 e-tron and sporting a new front end with a mask-like grille that puts it in line with the smaller Q4 e-tron.
- Power output is unchanged, but the Q8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron are expected to improve their range estimates thanks to a redesigned rear electric motor and better aerodynamics.
- Audi says the Q8 e-tron can charge at a rate of 170 kW, going from 10 to 80 percent in 31 minutes on a DC fast charger.
UPDATE 8/2/23: Audi has released pricing for the 2024 SQ8 e-tron and the SQ8 e-tron Sportback. The regular model starts at $90,995; the fastback version costs an extra $2800, with a base price of $93,795. For comparison, the regular ’24 Audi Q8 e-tron starts at $75,595; the Sportback version starts at $78,995.
Since Audi first launched the e-tron SUV in 2019, it has added the voluptuous e-tron GT sedan and the smaller Q4 e-tron crossover to its electric arsenal. Now, the original e-tron is gaining a new moniker to differentiate it from its fellow electric Audis as part of a substantial overhaul.
Rechristened as the Q8 e-tron, the facelifted EV arrives with fresh styling and increased range, and the sleek Sportback and more powerful S (now called SQ8 e-tron) variants also return. (The new name doesn’t eliminate confusion entirely, however, as there are also distinct gasoline-powered Q8 and SQ8 models; calling it the Q6 e-tron would’ve been a better move in our opinion.)
Same Power, More Range
While Europe receives a base model with a smaller battery and less power, the only configurations that will be sold in the United States are the Q8 e-tron 55 and the SQ8 e-tron, which replaces the e-tron S. Power outputs are unchanged from before. The 55, with all-wheel drive via a dual-motor setup, maxes out at 402 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque in Sport mode. The SQ8 e-tron, meanwhile, packs three electric motors, with a 166-hp unit up front and two 131-hp motors housed on the rear axle producing a combined 496 hp and 718 pound-feet of torque in Sport mode. The 55 model reaches 62 mph in a claimed 5.6 seconds while the SQ8 drops that sprint to 4.5 ticks. Top speed for the 55 is limited to 124 mph, and the SQ8 e-tron can hit 130 mph.
Both models utilize a battery with 106.0 kWh of usable capacity. Audi says it is aiming for certain versions of the updated model to have an EPA-estimated range above 300 miles, or a 30 to 40 percent increase over the current model’s EPA range that tops out at 222 miles. On the European WLTP test cycle, the Q8 e-tron lineup is rated at between 307 and 373 miles of range. Audi also claims the Q8 e-tron will charge at a rate of up to 170 kW, with the battery charging from 10 to 80 percent in as quickly as 31 minutes on a DC fast charger.
The 2024 Q8 e-tron’s bump in range is the product of an upgraded rear motor and improved aerodynamics. The asynchronous motor on the rear axle now uses 14 coils to generate its electromagnetic field, up from 12. This makes the motor more efficient, since it can use less electricity to create the same amount of torque, or produce more torque using the same amount of energy as the old 12-coil design.
Aerodynamics also play a huge role. The restyled front end has decreased the drag coefficient slightly to 0.24 for the Sportback and 0.27 for the SUV. The Q8 e-tron also adds larger wheel spoilers up front on the underbody of the vehicle, channeling airflow around the front wheels to help the large crossover carve through the air more efficiently.
New Design and Tech Features
While the overall body shape remains the same, the Q8 e-tron debuts a new mask-like grille design, visually linking it with the e-tron GT and Q4 e-tron. The new grille also features a light bar over the Audi logo, connecting the headlights. The grille presents a new version of Audi’s four-ringed logo, and the logo and model designation are also laser-etched into the car’s B-pillar. The Q8 e-tron comes standard with an air suspension, and the body height can be adjusted by about 3 inches. There’s also revised tuning for the air springs and an updated steering ratio.
The big addition to the Q8 e-tron’s suite of driver-assistance systems is remote park assist plus, which can navigate the SUV into tight spots as the owner controls the process from outside the vehicle via a smartphone app. The Q8 e-tron also features digital Matrix LED headlights that can individually illuminate different sections of the road depending on the conditions, but these lights remain exclusive to Europe for the time being due to different regulations in the United States.
The interior is centered around two touchscreens—a 10.1-inch unit situated above an 8.6-inch display—that handle almost every function, although drivers can also use voice commands. Options include features such as a head-up display, four-zone climate control, and massaging seats. A light brown walnut wood interior trim is new. The S-Line package adds seats wrapped in synthetic leather and a microfiber called Dinamica, which is made from recycled bottles, fiber residue, and used textiles.
The Q8 e-tron arrives in the United States at the end of April 2023. Pricing will be announced later, but we don’t expect a major increase over the current starting price of $71,995 for the standard model and $89,395 for the S.
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Associate News Editor
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.