2023 Audi Q8 e-tron here next quarter

The facelifted and rebranded Audi e-tron electric SUV – now known as the 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron – will be priced from $153,900 plus on-road costs when it arrives in Australia next quarter (October-December) armed with a new look, new battery and a heap more range.

Australia will miss out on the entry-level Audi Q8 50 e-tron and instead receive the mid-range 55 e-tron powertrain, which will be available in three variants from launch, comprising the 55 e-tron, 55 e-tron Sportback (from $165,900 plus ORCs) and 55 e-tron Launch Edition (from $165,900 plus ORCs).

The new starting price marks a $7825 increase compared to the pre-facelift Audi e-tron 55, but the extra cash is more than justified by the newly-developed 114kWh battery pack (up from 95kWh), revised chassis and refreshed exterior design, which further improves the driving range.

Now looking decidedly more like its adopted combustion-powered siblings – including the pre-existing (non e-tron) Q8 50 TDI, Q8 55 TFSI, SQ8 TFSI and RS Q8 TFSI, which continue alongside unchanged for now – the Q8 55 e-tron’s new look and bigger battery pack yield a claimed 454km WLTP range compared to its predecessor’s 436km figure.

The larger battery sustains a pair of electric motors that continue to output a combined 300kW/664Nm, despite the rear unit being revised with two extra coils (14 total) in the name of efficiency.

The claimed 0-100km/h acceleration figure is 5.6 seconds and top speed is limited to 200km/h.

The new look is paired with revised electric steering, suspension arms, axle kinematics, adaptive air suspension and ESC calibration, all of which combines to make the premium large electric SUV more dynamic and sure-footed on the fly.

Next to no changes have been made within the cabin or to the 55 e-tron’s standard equipment list, which continues to comprise dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, leather upholstery, a 10.1-inch infotainment interface, 12.3-inch digital cockpit, sat-nav, smartphone mirroring, wireless charging, 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control.

The equivalent Sportback ups the ante with four-zone climate control, heated sport front seats with memory function for the driver and a heated steering wheel as standard, as well as a few extra athletic exterior touches to match its coupe-like shape.

The Launch Edition goes a few steps further again with S-line exterior styling, black 21-inch Audi Sport wheels, black exterior design pack, an S-line steering wheel, S sport front seats upholstered in Valcona leather, stainless steel pedals, black headliner, electric steering wheel adjustment and coloured interior ambient lighting.

All three variants can be charged at up to 170kW when using DC power, which Audi reckons will take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 31 minutes.

“With optimised drive, improved charging performance, a fresh design, and bigger battery capacity, I am confident this is the perfect fit for Australians looking for the ideal combination of uncompromised luxury and high everyday usability,” said Audi Australia director Jeff Mannering.

We don’t yet know how long the Launch Edition will be available for, but Audi Australia has confirmed the entry-level Q8 50 e-tron variant and the faster SQ8 e-tron flagship will join the range sometime next year.

How much does the 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron cost?
55 e-tron – $153,900 (+$7825)
Sportback 55 e-tron – $165,900 (+$8825)
55 e-tron Launch Edition – $165,900
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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