2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron: Is It Nonetheless Related?

One factor that will get misplaced in all the present noise concerning the Volkswagen Group’s present troubles is simply how significantly better its electrical automobiles are getting with every subsequent technology. Like, quantum leap good. The up to date Volkswagen ID.4 is healthier than it is ever been, the newest electrical Porsches are world-class and, as they did within the fuel automotive period, non-U.S. manufacturers like Skoda and SEAT are making the type of stuff you want you possibly can purchase. (And perhaps it may well quickly sufficient, in SEAT’s case.) 

That brings us to Audi. It is also straightforward to overlook that Audi was type of a pioneer on this area with the unique Audi E-Tron crossover, which truly hit the highway earlier than even the Tesla Mannequin Y did. It bought a major improve of its personal final yr to go along with a reputation change that matches Audi’s new “odd-numbered automobiles are inside combustion, even-numbered ones are EVs” naming scheme: the Q8 E-Tron and Q8 E-Tron Sportback. 

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However the EV world strikes extraordinarily quick. And in contrast to the all-new and barely smaller Q6 E-Tron that rides on a reasonably revolutionary all-electric platform, the Q8 E-Tron nonetheless makes use of one tailored from the fuel automobiles. Furthermore, demand for the SUV has dropped off fairly laborious in current months and its run might finish early. So is the Q8 E-Tron, improved as it’s, nonetheless related? 

(Full Disclosure: Audi despatched me a 2024 Q8 E-Tron for every week for testing.) 

 

 

What Is It? 

I first drove this up to date technology in its extra highly effective SQ E-Tron kind final fall, albeit just for a number of hours. I preferred that automotive’s dealing with prowess specifically, though I puzzled if dealing with was what EV shoppers had been actually after right here; above all, they appear to need vary, quick charging instances and respectable costs. Then I bought behind the wheel of the grey Q8 E-Tron you see right here a number of months later. 

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I’ve to confess I have not considered a lot since then, nor did I discover it to be essentially the most memorable EV round. That is some extent towards it at a time when it seems like solely the strongest will survive the approaching trade transition. However with the looming debut of the ostensibly extra essential Q6 E-Tron, I wished to revisit its larger, older brother. 

The Q8 E-Tron is available in customary and Sportback varieties, with sooner SQ8 variations of each. This check automotive was the highest Status mannequin (not counting the upper Launch Version) that took the bottom trim’s value from $74,400 to $88,990 together with a number of different choices. All Q8 E-Tron fashions get a 114 kWh battery pack (106 kWh usable) with all-wheel-drive, as much as 285 miles of EPA-estimated vary and quick charging of as much as 170 kW. 

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Instantly, we see among the weaknesses of this older EV platform: that is a reasonably large battery however definitely not the quickest DC charging round. A Tesla Mannequin Y can do as much as 210 kW DC quick charging. And the brand new Q6 E-Tron Quattro completely smokes each at 270 kW.

You get the concept; these things is shifting quick. Whereas the Q6 E-Tron fashions are barely smaller but additionally $10,000 cheaper with extra refined tech, they could simply be ready for an electrical Audi to be in your menu. 

What’s Good? 

• The Q8 E-Tron nonetheless seems to be actually sharp. I am of the opinion that Audi’s design sport as of late is not fairly as hearth because it was within the heyday of the TT and the second-generation A4 and A6, however it’s good-looking. From the aspect, it offers off Bentley Bentayga vibes, and no proprietor can be mad about that. 

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• Equally, and in typical Audi vogue, the inside offers you what you paid for. It is a glossy, snug, completely trendy area with a great array of bodily controls on the steering wheel particularly. 

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• Even in non-SQ8 kind, the dealing with is excellent. Once more, that will not be what issues most with an EV, however it is a beefy boy at almost 6,000 kilos. It has no proper to nook in addition to it does. 
• Audi’s twin charging ports, which might serve AC chargers on the left or the best aspect, stay a incredible concept. (No, you possibly can’t use each directly, nonetheless.) DC quick charging is solely on the left aspect. However this enables for a ton of flexibility and the flexibility to buy an EV with out probably having to rearrange your private home charger, so I am glad it is also sticking round on the Q6 E-Tron. 

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• Even when the DC quick charging instances aren’t one of the best by trendy requirements, it nonetheless bought the job completed. At 42% (which is increased than I usually go for quick charging, however I had a protracted drive forward of me and wished to knock it out first) I bought to 85% in half-hour on a 150 kW plug. The best pace the Audi might muster was 99 kW, however it nonetheless handed my “offers you sufficient to get again on the highway after a brief errand” check. 

What’s Not So Good?

• As good as that inside is, it does really feel a bit “Model 1.0” in comparison with the upcoming Q6 E-Tron—which, once more, is just not a substitute and even in the identical car class. However that automotive’s shows are larger, the infotainment seems to be extra refined and the entire bundle seems to be extra from this decade than the final.

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• I can also’t say I used to be impressed with Audi’s voice management programs, which regularly lagged badly or simply did not acknowledge what I wished in any respect. (One request to show to NPR saved sending me to a New York Knicks satellite tv for pc radio station, which was disappointing, even when issues is perhaps trying up for the Knicks this yr. We’ll see.) 

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• The underside management display screen options Audi’s MMI Contact Response system, which gives haptic suggestions so it type of clicks like a mouse while you use it. Candidly, I did not discover this function all that helpful, nor the choice to attract out shapes the automotive then interprets for deal with entry and the like. I might be proud of only a sooner, higher voice management system, which appears to be the case on the Q6 E-Tron. Additionally, the Q6 E-Tron will use an Android Automotive OS-based system and people have actually confirmed to be first-rate in our testing to date.

What’s The Verdict?

There is a motive that you just nonetheless see so many E-Trons and Q8 E-Trons at charging stations throughout America. It executes its mission nicely: transfer the high-tech, luxurious Audi expertise into the electrical period whereas protecting the all-weather dealing with qualities that so many patrons love. 

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However updates or not, the Q8 E-Tron is beginning to really feel a bit lengthy within the tooth. That is very true while you issue within the almost $90,000 price ticket we see right here. I feel there are about to be higher choices on the market and Audi’s personal Q6 E-Tron is certainly one of them. At instances, I puzzled: what is that this electrical SUV one of the best at? And I by no means got here up with a really compelling reply to that. Except you are a die-hard fan of the Ingolstadt model, your cash could also be higher spent on the BMW iX, or a Rivian R1S. (And the Audi has it beat on cargo area, however the Polestar 3 can also be price a glance right here.) 

Is the Q8 E-Tron’s mission about to be full? That definitely is not as much as me. However I’m certain that Audi has extra and higher up its sleeve quickly, and chances are you’ll wish to take into account that earlier than pulling the set off on certainly one of these in 2024.

Contact the writer: patrick.george@insideevs.com