Audi launches Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron in Singapore

Audi Singapore is giving its electric model range a fresh jolt of energy, with the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron officially launched in Singapore on 17 July 2023.

As mentioned before, the two cars are not completely new, but rather, heavily refreshed versions of what were previously known as the e-tron and e-tron Sportback SUVs. With 'Q8' now affixed at the front, Audi is making the SUVs' positions at the leading models in its electric SUV and crossover range clearer.

The Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron are the first cars from Audi to wear its new two-dimensional logo, atop of their redesigned grilles 

The most distinct differences one will immediately note now are a redesigned grille with an illuminated light bar just above. The Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron are also the first cars in the entire Audi family to introduce its fresh corporate identity, and wear its new two-dimensional logo.

With the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron set apart by their different body styles - the latter being a 'coupe-SUV' - two all-wheel drive powertrain variants are being offered at launch.

The 50 e-tron boasts a maximum output of 250kW (335bhp) with up to 664Nm of instant torque on tap (in 'Boost' mode), helping the SUV complete the century sprint in 6.0s flat. While the 55 e-tron also musters 664Nm of torque in 'Boost' mode, its maximum power output stands at a higher 300kW (402bhp). Consequently, the car can go from zero to 100km/h in just 5.6s.

With 402bhp and up to 664Nm of instant torque in Boost mode, the Q8 55 e-tron can complete the century sprint in just 5.6s 

Perhaps the more important differentiating factor between both variants, however, is battery capacity, and thus range. With the 50 e-tron variant powered by a 95kWh battery pack (gross), the Q8 e-tron can travel up to 491km, while the more slippery Q8 Sportback e-tron will do 505km on a single charge.

Meanwhile, a larger 114kWh battery pack (gross) on the 55 e-tron gives the Q8 e-tron a range of up to 582k, while the Q8 Sportback e-tron will even hit 600km. (All ranges rated by the WLTP cycle). The top speed across all variants stands at 200km/h.

If these range figures seem more sizeable than before, your memory isn't failing you. A large part of the updates with the duo's reintroductions are under the skin - with battery capacity now expanded, aerodynamic and energy efficiency now improved, as well as charging performance boosted over the previous cars.

A new stacking technology, as well as improvements to battery management and chemistry, have allowed Audi to increase the ranges on both the 50 e-tron and 55 e-tron variants

To begin, a new stacking technology of the individual cells has allowed Audi to achieve a 20% higher level of energy density within the same space. That, combined with updates to the battery management system, has allowed the firm to achieve the increased battery capacities on both powertrain variants of the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron.

In addition, the cars are now capable of supporting an increased level of fast charging - to allay the concerns of those who want to get back on the road as soon as possible. The 50 e-tron now supports direct current (DC) charging at up to 150kW, for a 10 to 80% recharge within just 28 minutes.

On the other hand, the 55 e-tron supports an even more powerful current - up to 170kW - for a 10 to 80% recharge within just 31 minutes. These means that the cars can get 123km worth of range put back into their batteries within just 10 minutes.

The Q8 Sportback e-tron now boasts an improved drag coefficient of just 0.24Cd - an improvement of 0.2Cd

A quality which Audi says is also unique to the cars at the present moment is the high charging curve of their batteries. This means that the current flows consistently at a higher charging power even up to a charge level of 80%, rather than tapering off prematurely.

Slight revisions to the cars' physical structures - including an unprecedented 'self-sealing system' - have resulted in both body styles being more aerodynamic than before too.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback now has an impressive drag coefficient of 0.24Cd, compared to 0.26Cd previously, whereas the Q8 e-tron has had its drag coefficient reduced from 0.28Cd, to 0.27Cd now.

While fitted with air suspension and controlled damping as standard, the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron now also come with revised rear-axle motors that operate asynchronously from those on the front axle. Besides higher engine torque, electrical drag losses have also been eliminated with this setup. 

Enhancements to the cars' motors, progressive steering, and suspension control are all said to have helped sharpen the cars' dynamic driving characteristics 

Apart from the motors, Audi says it has enhanced the progressive steering and suspension control systems of the cars too, to sharpen the cars' dynamic driving characteristics. 

With Audi's electromobility efforts also directed towards more sustainable production practices, recycled materials also feature heavily in the Q8 e-tron, and can be found on its carpets, as well as in insulation and damping materials. Audi promises that these still provide the sense of luxury and comfort expected in its cars.

The Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron are important pieces to Audi’s overall electric offensive. Internationally, the eight all-electric models in its portfolio will grow to over a sum of over 20 by 2026, following which Audi is set to cease global launches of brand new ICE-models.

The Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron are now on sale in Singapore, and are offered in a range of eleven colours, including the new shades Soneira Red Metallic, solid Magnet Gray, Madeira Brown Metallic and Ultra Blue Metallic, exclusively available for the S line variant.