Audi India has had a good run during the last few months and it is finally clawing back some of its lost market share, thanks in part to the deepening portfolio of both its fossil-fuel powered and electric vehicle offerings. An increase in choice offered is always rewarded by the market, and Audi’s e-trons and GTs are now a common sight on our roads. Unlike some of the other luxury brands who have gone with a more unique, easily identifiable design language for their electrics, Audi has chosen to meld its ICE and EV worlds with a design that is more uniform. But its luxe EVs still get a few special features, all within Audi’s trademark focus on minimalist design.
Audi’s growing portfolio of electrics has prompted a rethink of its naming convention and that then has led to the rechristening of its previous e-tron into what would be its new flagship EV in the Q8 e-tron. The previous ones were the e-tron 50, e-tron 55 and the Sportback 55. Without over highlighting the numeric variant distinction, the new Q8 e-tron, gets two body styles — traditional SUV and Sportback — and in two different battery capacities. This would be the fifth Q model in Audi India’s portfolio and possibly the first of many Q EVs to come. Being part of an automotive group which shares multiple platforms across multiple brands, the Q8 e-tron is also based on the extended MQB platform. Last week, I finally got to experience the new model with everything under the skin being nearly identical, I picked out the Q8 e-tron Sportback as my test mule for the day. Here are my first impressions.
Design
One of the first aspects about the Q8 e-tron’s design that will strike you is the fact that it might pass off as an Audi with a conventional ICE powertrain. There are no quirky surfaces, forced angles for the rear glass or even a major redesign of the LED light signatures. This could be a downside amongst buyers looking for the novelty of a design. The front fascia is subtly different with the new 2D Audi logo and the inverted grille design for the bonnet grille’s honeycomb setting it apart. The headlamps feature the classic Audi brow for the LED DRLs and the triple LED stripes that double up as turn indicators.
The Q8 e-tron’s design is a study in contrast not too different to some of the other Audi models sporting a similar body style. Below the beltline it is an SUV, and the 20-inch high-gloss alloys in my test mule make it look even more macho and sturdy. Above the beltline, it is a sports coupe with the chrome window frame nicely capturing the flavour of the design. The red brake callipers, the self-levelling alloy wheel hub caps with the always upright Audi logo (optional addition) and the panoramic sunroof add layers of uniqueness to the new Q8 e-tron Sportback. The sloping rear end of the roofline is a graceful presentation for the coupe/ fastback design. The connected tail-lamps with its LED light signature and the stubby boot lid with its integrated lip spoiler bring some more coupe flavour to the sportback. Digital Matrix LED headlights is offered, and it delivers five dynamic high-res light projections using its 1.3 million micro-mirrors. Both front and rear fenders are new with a sportier construction. It also gets charging ports on both sides, with the flip open lids being positioned on either side just above the wheel arch on the front body panels.
Cabin
The exterior changes to the Q8 e-tron deliver a cleaner profile and better aerodynamic performance. The changes to cabin though, focus on improving the high quality perception and a even bigger boost to the sense of updated luxury that the EV segment buyer is expecting with every model year. The overall layout of the dashboard and the cabin is very similar to the previous e-tron but every element seems to have been updated. Fit and finish, and the quality of materials used is excellent. The cabin also looks like that of a modern conventional fossil fuel SUV in its lack of digital overkill. I’m certainly a fan of this theme, though, for those expecting to be surrounded by digital screens, you may be happy to note that there are three of them in the Q8 e-tron’s cabin. Audi haptic touchscreens are the best when it comes to that satisfying ‘clack’ that signifies that your selection has been registered by the display. And the infotainment screen and the climate control screen — both on the centre stack — offer easy access to all key functions of the car. I would have been happy with control knobs for the climate control. The cabin trim is a suave mix of piano black and matt aluminium inserts, with dark grey and black soft-touch plastic.
The generously bolstered seats are comfy and there is enough height adjustment that combines with the powered steering adjustments (in my top trim mule) that enable me to get the perfect driving position. The rear seats are comfortable too, and offer a fairly generous amount of legroom and headroom, though extremely tall passengers might find the headroom a bit too tight. Upholstery choices range from leather to leatherette combinations. Despite being a derived platform, the battery under the floor of the Q8 e-tron hasn’t led to an uncomfortable increase in floor height. The luggage room in the boot of the Sportback is about 528-litres (569-litres in the regular SUV body) and there is also some room for nick-knacks in the 62-litre frunk (under bonnet) Connectivity options are a bit restrictive, with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But the B&O music system with its 16-speakers and 705W output musically erased some of that disappointment that I felt. The 10.1-inch infotainment screen, features Audi’s MMI Navigation Plus, and the digital Audi virtual cockpit plus in the 8-inch instrument screen still has its charm. The top trim variants also gets massage functions, 360-degree camera, 4-zone climate control and the park assist package plus.
BEV Performance
The Q8 e-tron can be specified in two battery sizes, but my test mule Sportback was the top trim with its 114kWh battery capacity. Two electric motors send torque to all four wheels using an electronic version of Audi’s Permanent all-wheel drive Quattro. The battery-electric system generates a peak power of 408hp and a peak torque of 664Nm. It is said to be capable of a 5.6 second sprint from standstill to 100kmph. Though all of that torque is available instantaneously, acceleration feels controlled and manageable. In sport and dynamic modes, it feels genuinely quick, though that sense of solidity and stable performance never feels compromised. The Q8 e-tron’s weight isn’t a drag during any state of acceleration, instead it feels like a plush rock on the move. The progressive steering is also a delight and such a Audi trademark while going into corners with precise placement of the wheels.
Safety features include eight full-size airbags, all the benefits of the Quattro all-wheel drive system, tyre pressure monitoring, and the interesting addition of anti-theft wheel bolts and loose wheel warning. The Q8 e-tron also gets adaptive air suspension with the option of raising the ride height in two stages from 176mm to 226mm. The ride height is auto-adjusted based on speed, but can be selectively raised while going off-road. The ride quality is simply superb and the Sportback e-tron I was driving just swallowed anything that the highways and rural roads near Nandi Hills threw up. That composed ride is complemented by an extremely well-insulated cabin making my commute calm and quiet.
Charging
The new Q8 e-tron has a reworked regenerative braking system with higher regen charge gains returning to the battery pack. The BMS tuning and regen performance combine to offer a nearly 600km per charge range (WLTP cycle). The regular SUV Q8 e-tron’s range is a lower 582km (WLTP), mostly because it doesn’t get the advantage of the better aerodynamics of the Sportback. The battery can be charged using the on-board 22kW AC charger. The CCS2 type socket can also be used to charge the vehicle via DC chargers with up to 170kW capacity. Charging times will vary based on rating.
Bottom Line
The Audi Q8 e-tron buyer is unlikely to be a buyer getting his primary luxury vehicle. They are more likely to be looking to ride the emerging luxury EV trend, while shopping for a comfy, plush electric with an above average driving range per charge. If I was that buyer, I would choose the Q8 e-tron Sportback for its sheer novelty, and despite slightly lesser headroom for rear occupants. The regular Q8 e-tron will still be a good choice, though it just won’t elicit the same envious glares that the sportback would.