Audi

Q8 e-tron

The Audi Q8 e-tron (called e-tron until 2023) is an all-electric model available in SUV or Sportback body styles. With dynamic styling and all the on-board technology imaginable, this full-sized SUV boasts excellent handling ability along with impressive driving range.

The good

Performance, styling, handling and range

The bad

Quite expensive to buy

Tech Specs

Price from

£67,800

Combined Fuel up to

Range up to 343 miles

0-62 from

5.1 seconds

max speed up to

130mph (limited)

co2 from

0g/km

Test Drive

Audi Q8 55 e-tron Launch Edition (2023)

Audi has raised the bar in the premium electric SUV sector by upgrading its flagship Q8 e-tron and, most importantly, extending its range quite dramatically in the process.

Designers have given the car a fresh new look and it now features a larger 114kWh battery pack that sees the range increase to more than 300 miles between charges on certain models.

Customers have a choice of body styles with the Q8 e-tron available as an SUV or Sportback, along with trims called Sport, S line, Black Edition, Vorsprung, plus a mighty SQ8 e-tron. There is also a limited run Launch Edition and it was that car that we tested.

There are power outputs called e-tron 50 with 340PS in boost mode and 664Nm of torque or e-tron 55 that offers 408PS in boost mode and 664Nm of torque. And for anyone stepping up to the SQ8 e-tron they will get a car delivering 503PS and 973Nm of torque.

Our Q8 55 e-tron Limited Edition cost £95,085 and could complete the 0-62mph sprint in a very respectable 6.5 seconds (or 5.6 seconds if using the boost function) and onto a top speed that is limited to 124mph. And with its larger battery pack, the driving range has increased to a very respectable 322 miles.

In addition to the extended range, the Q8 looks fresher with restyled front and rear ends. A two-dimensional Audi four rings design is new to the mix, as is the model lettering and Audi logo on the B pillar. There are sweeping light clusters with Matrix LED headlights, plus black roof rails, a panoramic sunroof, privacy glass, 21-inch gloss black alloy wheels, red brake calipers and digital cameras on stalks in place of the traditional door mirrors.

The interior oozes class and is crafted from the finest materials throughout to produce a premium, upmarket and fully loaded cockpit. There are fine black leather upholstered seats with neat red contrast stitching, along with soft-touch surfaces and neat decorative inlays throughout.

The seats are powered and, along with the steering wheel and rear seats, can be heated against the winter chill.

Two touchscreens sit one above the other and these are the main focal point and nerve centre of the Q8 e-tron. The lower one is where all the climate control and heated seat setting are found, while the upper screen is dedicated to infotainment functions, such as navigation, smartphone connection via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, car settings and much more besides.

A Virtual Cockpit display behind the steering wheel can be configured to choice and there is a head up display so you can keep a watchful eye on that speed. In addition, the voice-activated virtual assistant can help with setting navigation routes, making a phone call, adjusting the temperature and lots more without taking your hands from the steering wheel.

When it comes to performance, the Q8 e-tron is a fabulous all-rounder with confident road holding through twisting B roads. The elevated seating position offers great driver visibility and there are modes to switch through that alter the characteristics of the car. These are called Efficient, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual. And there are paddles each side of the steering wheel that adjust the levels of regenerative braking meaning you can often drive for long spells without touching the brakes at all.

The vehicle is a refined and comfortable motorway cruiser sitting effortlessly at 70mph and that added range is hugely appreciated on longer journeys. The quattro all-wheel drive offers added reassurance in poorer driving conditions and another upgrade on the new model is the improved handling thanks to a re-engineered steering system and revised rear axle motor and electric torque vectoring.

My only real grumble is those camera stalk mirrors. I find it really difficult to judge with any real accuracy the distance and speed of vehicles in different motorway lanes, and the positioning of the display screen seems unnaturally low. But some people simply love the innovation, so it really is a matter of personal choice.

With its billing as a family SUV, the Q8 e-tron needs to check all the practicality bases and it does just that thanks to a spacious cabin with room for two adults or three youngsters to sit comfortably in the back. The boot, accessed via a powered tailgate, can hold 569 litres of kit, increasing to 1,637 litres with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. This is easily achieved with levers located in the boot and there is additional storage beneath the boot floor and underneath the bonnet.

Throughout the cabin, there is a lockable glovebox, central cubby with phone holder, door bins, a secret compartment next to the driver’s door, seat back nets and some handy trays.

Charging the vehicle via a fast charger takes 31 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent or 11 hours and 30 minutes via an 11kW box.

When you also factor in the comprehensive array of safety features and driver assistance aids, the new Audi Q8 e-tron is definitely a worthy recipient of its flagship status and is a fabulous vehicle that can clock up working miles during the week but double up as a family car for weekend trips away.

Test Drive

Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro 300kW S line (2020)

Audi made quite an impact with its first foray into the world of pure electric vehicles in 2019 with the launch of the imposing e-tron SUV.

Now there is a sportier version with coupe-style streamlining and it aims to take on the big hitters such as the Jaguar I-Pace.

It is aptly called the e-tron Sportback and this five-door model is very easy on the eye with dynamic styling. And credit to Audi designers too because it looks like a standard car without the need for impractical gull-wing doors or ridiculous badging. It simply goes about its business in a very ‘Audi’ manner, but much quieter than normal.

Just like the e-tron, the Sportback version boasts a distinctive grille housing the company logo, along with narrow light clusters with LED daytime running lights and dynamic front and rear sweeping indicators. There are LED Matrix lights that offer superb illumination at night, privacy glass, wheel arch cladding, a panoramic sunroof and smart alloys with orange brake calipers that match the e-tron badging on the front wings.

The Sportback tapers away at the back to give the car a more athletic appearance and the stand-out feature has to be the stalk cameras that replace traditional door mirrors and project an image on screens built into the doors. More about these later.

Move inside the e-tron Sportback and the car radiates Audi quality through and through with high-end leather upholstery, soft-touch surfaces, smart inlays and trimmings, powered seats and twin display touchscreens with sharp graphics. The top screen is for all infotainment needs such as smartphone connectivity, navigation, audio and car settings while the bottom one is for the climate control set-up and seat heaters.

Powering the 55 quattro derivative is a 95kWh battery delivering a mighty 402bhp. There are electric motors on the front and rear axles and the car has a driving range of 241 miles between charges dependant, of course, on driving style and conditions.

It can power its way from 0-62mph in a very rapid 6.6 seconds, or 5.7 in boost mode, and the maximum speed is 124mph.

The e-tron Sportback in S line trim is priced at £79,185, but customers can fully customise their car with a wealth of optional extras. Our model finished up with cost that had crept up to £89,470.

One of the options were the virtual door mirrors costing £1,250 extra. These are being greeted with very mixed reactions. Instead of looking at the standard door mirrors, the driver views the image on screens positioned in the door panels. It seems unnaturally low down, especially if someone in the passenger seat is reading a newspaper, and they certainly take some getting used to.

The outer edge of the screens light up green when it’s clear to pull out or amber if there is a vehicle in the way that is similar to blind spot detection. Yes, it’s all very clever, but for me, a touch too smart for its own good and not an option I would fork out for. I should add that the Honda e has similar camera mirrors but the screens are positioned each end of the dashboard which, I believe, works much better.

However, when it comes to performance, the e-tron Sportback impresses on all counts with instant rapid power and acceleration at the slightest pressure on the throttle. The road holding is beautifully balanced meaning tight bends can be attacked with confidence and there is minimal sign of any body sway.

The steering is perfectly weighted with ample driver feedback and this is a vehicle that effortlessly eats away at the miles on long motorway journeys.

You can switch through various drive modes called Off-road, All-road, Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual to alter the car’s handling and characteristics. And there are steering wheel mounted paddles, not for changing gears, but to adjust the level of regenerative braking.

The e-tron Sportback is both agile and easy to manoeuvre in busier city centre environments with a turning lock of 12.2 metres, but it does measure just shy of five metres in length so you will need to find a large parking space.

The suspension set-up does worthy good job of smoothing out most bumps and dips along the way delivering a nicely cushioned ride, and the cabin is well insulated so protects occupants from any outside noise.

Comfort levels are excellent, and with ample seat and steering wheel adjustment, finding the perfect driving position takes just a matter of seconds. The visibility is okay, but the sloping tail end design of the Sportback model results in a narrower rear screen than its sibling.

It is a practical option though with enough space for a trio of passengers in the back and the boot can swallow 615 litres of kit – a limit that increases to 1,665 litres when the rear seats are dropped flat.

Charging the car from 10-80 per cent on a 150kW public charger takes about 30 minutes or from empty to full on a 7kW domestic wallbox takes about 14 hours. For convenience there are charge ports on both sides of the car.

As one would expect from such a prestigious car maker as Audi, the e-tron Sportback is loaded with a fully comprehensive range of safety features and driver aids. It also has quattro all-wheel drive for motoring in more challenging conditions.

All in all, this latest Audi EV is a refined, polished, stylish and feature-packed car that proves that comfort need not be compromised for performance. It is another very welcome addition to this ever-growing sector.

Test Drive

Audi e-tron – first drive (2019)

Being fashionably late is all the rage these days and Audi is perfect proof of that statement with the arrival of the all-new e-tron.

The premium German marque may be a little late arriving at the all-electric party, but with the launch of the e-tron it’s clear that some things in life are worth waiting for.

The full-sized SUV is Audi’s first fully electric production model and is sized somewhere between the Q5 and Q7 with space for five adults along with all their luggage.

Customers can select from two trim levels called e-tron and e-tron Launch Edition priced from £71,520 and £82,270 respectively (excluding the £3,500 Government plug-in grant). There was an Edition 1 version that was limited to just 30 cars for the UK but they were all snapped up within days of being announced.

There’s no denying the fact that the e-tron is a great looking car. It’s easily distinguishable from a ‘regular’ model, but it’s not so radical to scare away buyers. There is a unique e-tron grille, signature daytime running lights with four horizontal struts integrated into the LED headlights, LED Matrix lights, dynamic front and rear sweeping indicators, a panoramic sunroof, privacy glass and a choice of stunning 20 or 21-inch alloys with orange brake calipers available as an option to match the e-tron badges on the front wings.

Move inside and the interior is premium quality throughout. It oozes elegance and sophistication with soft touch surfaces, the finest leather upholstery and a wealth of on-board technology to explore. There are two high definition colour touchscreens with the upper one responsible for all the car’s infotainment, navigation, phone, audio, vehicle settings and much more. The lower screen is where all the climate control and seat heater controls are located.

Behind the steering wheel is Audi’s fully adaptable Virtual Cockpit which offers two supplementary e-tron and Sports layouts, and there is a head-up display for instant driving data and navigation directions at a glance without taking your eyes from the road ahead.

Powering the e-tron is a 95kWh battery which is mounted beneath the passenger compartment and that feeds two electric motors (one on each axle) to produce a maximum 408PS. This translates into a 0-62mph sprint time of 5.7 seconds and maximum speed limited to 124mph – not bad for a vehicle weighing just under 2.5 tonnes.

Range anxiety will be a thing of the past with the e-tron as it can cover 241 miles (WLTP) between charges and powering up the vehicle can be as rapid as 30 minutes for up to 80 per cent on a fast charger. Up to 11kW AC charging enables a full charge from empty in 8.9 hours. And for convenience, the e-tron has charging points positioned on both sides of the car.

When it comes to performance, the e-tron needs to be able to challenge the likes of Jaguar’s multi-award-winning i-PACE and it does exactly that. There are just two gears – forwards or reverse – that are selected via a quirky-looking lever. Funnily enough you push it forward to go backwards or backwards to go forwards!

As is the case with EVs, the acceleration is instant and can be as blistering as you want with the choice of seven drive modes to select from. And despite its larger-than-life dimensions, the e-tron is deceptively agile and great fun to drive with sharp reactions and excellent road holding thanks to Audi’s quattro AWD system. It can be pushed hard into long sweeping bends without any fear of body movement and the steering delivers superb driver feedback.

It’s a comfortable place to be too with the suspension system doing an excellent job of ironing out the rough road surfaces and the ride height can be adjusted by up to 76mm to suit driving conditions and terrain.

Pulling away in the e-tron can be quite eerie as the car is completely silent. And it remains that way until you pick up pace when a little road surface sound begins to filter through. However, we did notice quite substantial levels of wind noise at higher motorway speeds – this was easily rectified by turning on the excellent pitch perfect sound system.

There are steering wheel mounted paddles, but unlike conventional automatic models, these are nothing to do with gear changing. Instead, they allow the driver to control the level of battery regeneration when slowing down – it is possible to use these paddles to slow the vehicle at times rather than using the brakes, although we couldn’t get them to bring the vehicle to a complete standstill.

Apart from all the clever trickery, the e-tron is a full-sized SUV and needs to meet all the demands of a modern active family and, once again, it succeeds on all counts. There is ample space in the car for five adults to travel in comfort with oodles of leg, head and shoulder room. Even when fitted with a panoramic sunroof, the headroom was fine for passengers of the taller variety without spoiling their bouffant!

Storage options are also impressive with a boot, which is accessed via a powered tailgate, boasting a capacity that ranges from 660 to 1,725 litres with the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats dropped flat. There is an additional 60 litres of storage room beneath the bonnet making full use of the space vacated by an engine, along with a good-sized glovebox, covered central storage bin, a secret cubby near the driver’s right knee, door pockets, plus cup holders. Another clever feature is the upright slot for wireless charging with a small bar that folds across to hold the smartphone in position.

But, one feature that simply cannot be overlooked on the e-tron is the optional virtual door mirrors – the first ever seen on a full production vehicle. The conventional mirrors make way in the Launch Edition for distinctive slim camera-based units that transmit images of the view onto two OLED interior displays positioned in the corner of the doors near the outer ends of the dashboard. They can be adjusted similarly to standard door mirrors, but certainly take some getting used to.

We tested a car fitted with these virtual mirrors on a 10-mile stretch of motorway that meant lots of switching between lanes and while it all worked well enough it’s not something you take to immediately. The edge of the screen lights up in an amber colour similarly to blind spot detection to warn when a vehicle is passing, or green when the lane is clear to pull into. Without a doubt, it’s clever technology, but only time will tell whether or not it catches on with the masses.

All in all, factor in the comprehensive array of safety features and the e-tron is a spectacular launch model for Audi in the EV sector. And it’s just a sign of things to come as Audi claims it is the standard bearer for a major expansion of BEV and PHEV vehicles that will see in excess of 20 electrified models joining the range by 2025.