There’s a new name and a fresh new look for the all-electric Audi e-tron - as well as a significant boost in range.
The flagship model - first launched in 2018 - is now called the ‘Audi Q8 e-tron’, giving it a moniker that tells you it’s a bigger, more luxurious version of the Q4 e-tron which sits further down the range.
As before, you can enjoy it as a regular, boxy SUV or as a more coupe-like ‘Sportback’ model. ‘Quattro’ all-wheel drive is standard whichever you choose.
Like before, there’s also a performance version - with the old ‘Audi e-tron S’ name being ditched in favour of the new ‘Audi SQ8 e-tron’ and ‘Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron’ badges.
And while the new Q8 e-tron has been given a style makeover for the relaunch - particularly at the front end - the changes aren’t just skin deep.
The big news here is that the Q8 e-tron - both in SUV and Sportback form - have been handed a set of bigger batteries.
The outgoing, entry-level e-tron - the ‘50 Quattro’ - used to get a 71 kWh battery and a range of around 200 miles
Those base ‘Q8 50 e-tron’ versions now get a 89 kWh unit and a range of up to 290 miles.
The more powerful ‘55 e-tron’ powertrain also benefits from a boost. They were previously handed a 95 kWh battery and a max range of around 259 miles.
Now, however, the 55 e-tron makes use of a 106 kWh battery that equates to a range of between 330 and 343 miles, depending on whether you go for the SUV or the more streamlined Sportback.
Those are headline-worthy improvements in anyone’s books, and mean the Audi Q8 e-tron inches ahead of the Mercedes-Benz EQC and BMW iX when it comes to the distance it’s able to travel between top ups.
The new Audi Q8 e-tron is also more powerful than the old e-tron, with the most affordable models going from 317 PS to 340 PS.
Again, that’s the sort of advancement that makes you sit up and take notice.
The top-end Audi SQ8 e-tron and Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron, meanwhile, are driven by three motors. In ‘Boost’ mode there’s power of 503 PS and 973 Nm of torque.
And while there’s no word yet on how rapid they are to accelerate, you get a range of up to 295 miles with the ‘SQ8’ e-tron models.
When it comes to charging, the Audi Q8 50 e-tron can completely replenish in around nine hours and 15 minutes on a typical 11kW home wallbox, and in around four hours and 45 minutes on a 22kW power source - which is an optional extra. You can read more about EV charging points in our guide on picking your ideal electric car charger.
The Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron also support super-rapid 170kW charging, which can put around 240 miles of range back into the battery in just 31 minutes.
Elsewhere, the air-sprung Q8 e-tron has been given ‘more agility’ thanks to a revision of its progressive steering tech, as well as more rigid suspension bearings on the front axle.
There’s a full suite of driver assistance and safety systems, as you’d expect from a premium Audi, while the plush cabin features a distinctive twin infotainment system set-up.
The Audi Q8 e-tron goes on sale later this month, with first deliveries due in April next year. Full pricing will also be announced in the coming weeks.
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