2024 Audi Q8 e-tron: New Identify, New Model, Longer Vary

• Audi hasn’t introduced pricing for the 2024 Q8 e-tron. It’s a successor to the 2023 e-tron (no Q8 in that identify), which begins at $70,800, plus $1,195 to ship. We anticipate that value to rise by a couple of thousand to account for the upgrades.
• The identify is new, however this isn’t an all-new automotive. It’s a refresh of the 2023 e-tron, with a brand new identify to make clear that it’s Audi’s flagship electrical SUV.

Audi didn’t fairly introduce an all-new electrical car this week — it refreshed an previous one. However, together with the updates, it will get a reputation change that makes it sound like one thing we haven’t seen earlier than.

The 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron is an up to date model of the 2023 Audi e-tron. The identify change, Audi says, comes to assist prospects perceive the car.

Audi’s Electrical Flagship

It “will talk very merely, very exactly, and really clearly for our prospects the distinguished positioning as our highest-level electrical SUV,” a spokesperson tells us. Sharing a reputation with the flagship Q8 SUV ought to make it clear that the Q8 e-tron is the electrical prime of the Audi lineup.

That clarifies that the Q8 e-tron is supposed to tackle the Tesla Mannequin X, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, and different comparable high-luxe crossovers.

It additionally serves as a bookend to the Audi This autumn e-tron, a smaller, less-expensive all-electric SUV.

Masked Look

Like most Audi crossovers, it is available in two kinds: A standard SUV type and the glossy, coupe-like type Audi calls “Sportback.” Each profit from a dramatic new face, with what Audi calls an “inverted grille” surrounded by a thick body. On sporty S Line fashions, the body is physique shade. Different fashions get it in matte silver or black, which may look virtually like a facemask. The grille makes use of computerized shutters to shut at larger speeds to enhance aerodynamics.

A skinny gentle bar joins the slim daytime working lights.

From the grille again, much less has modified. Audi says that is the primary mannequin to have the Audi identify laser-etched into the B-pillar. The truth that that is value noting signifies that the automobiles’ two silhouettes are basically unchanged.

Identical Energy, Extra Vary

Energy output stays the identical — a 355-horsepower mannequin able to brief bursts of 402 horses, or a 429-horsepower model that may surge to 496. However the dealing with might have improved, as Audi says it retuned the air suspension and gave it “noticeably extra agility because of its revised progressive steering.” A brand new gear ratio within the steering system ought to imply lighter steering at low speeds, addressing a difficulty we’ve by no means heard anybody complain about.

The battery stays the identical form as earlier than, however Audi says it has packed extra cells into the identical area. That ought to assist tackle our take a look at driver’s greatest criticism in regards to the 2023 e-tron — its comparatively brief vary of 226 miles. However the EPA hasn’t but examined the Q8 e-tron, so we don’t know what number of miles that the denser battery provides.

Carbon Impartial, Sustainable Supplies

In case you have been to take a seat within the 2023 e-tron and the 2024 Q8 e-tron again to again, you’d discover few variations within the inside. They’re largely type updates — each inside shade choice now contains contrast-color seating panels, and a brand new walnut trim is out there.

However Audi says it has considerably upgraded the cabin’s sustainability. Audi says manufacturing of the automotive is now web carbon-neutral (we’re undecided how a lot of that features carbon offsets for power used). As a luxurious automaker, Audi avoids exhausting plastics. However, within the few locations they’re inevitable, akin to seat buckle covers, they’re now recycled.

Optionally, consumers can order some inside trim in a fabric created from recycled water bottles.

Know-how stays largely the identical, however distant park help plus seems. It lets the proprietor remotely information the Q8 e-tron right into a parking spot utilizing a smartphone.