Audi e-tron upgraded and rebranded as Audi Q8 e-tron

The Audi e-tron became the first battery-electric vehicle to carry the legendary four rings logo in 2019 and now the electric SUV has just undergone a major revamp for the 2023 model year, including a range-wide upgrade and rebranding as the Audi Q8 e-tron.

Due to arrive Down Under in the middle of next year, the 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron will be sold alongside the existing Audi Q8 range to create a more unified product portfolio and, according to Audi, better reflect the Q8 e-tron’s status as the German brand’s flagship electric SUV.

Major upgrades have been made to both the powertrain and chassis as part of the mid-life update, all of which is alluded to by revised front and rear styling.

The cosmetic changes are led by a new three-dimensional ‘singleframe’ grille and full-width lighting strip between the headlights – designed to emphasise the Q8 e-tron’s sense of width – and the front bumper’s lower section is defined by new air curtains and a refreshed chin design.

It’s a similar story at the rear, where you’ll find a tweaked rear lighting signature, some new creases around the bumper and a new imitation diffuser.

The stylistic changes are by no means anything to write home about, but the more powerful and efficient electric powertrains lurking underneath that sharpened body are – especially the newly developed 114kWh battery pack.

All three familiar model variants – 50, 55 and S – are being retained within the global Q8 e-tron portfolio, but their specific naming structures and respective powertrains have evolved.

The base model is now known as the Q8 50 e-tron and features the existing 95kWh battery pack from the pre-facelift 55 and S variants, netting it more power and a drastically increased driving range of up to 491km (up from 347km).

The carried-over battery still sustains a pair of electric motors, however, outputs have jumped to 250kW/664Nm (up 20kW/124Nm) courtesy of a new and more efficient asynchronous rear motor.

The 0-100km/h sprint is dispatched in a claimed six seconds flat as a result of the extra grunt.

It’s a similar story with the new mid-range Audi Q8 55 e-tron, except it sports the 114kWh battery – the extra capacity of which is liberated via revised cell chemistry and more efficient packaging.

The combination of the enlarged battery pack and dual electric motors continues to yield a total system output of 300kW/664Nm, claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.6se and an increased effective driving range of up to 584km.

At the top of the revamped tree is the tri-motor SQ8 e-tron, which also utilises the new 114kWh battery, except that power and torque are still rated at 370kW/973Nm, resulting in an unchanged 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 210km.

It shouldn’t be a surprise to read the SQ8 e-tron’s 494km driving range is significantly lower than the lesser 55’s given the amount of extra firepower on tap and the increased mechanical drag of the extra motor.

The slipperier coupe-like Sportback body style adds roughly 20km to the driving ranges of all three powertrains.

In addition to offering more range, the Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron’s new batterys offer more powerful charging capabilities of up to 170kW than the 50’s 95kWh unit (150kW) when using a DC fast-charger.

Audi says hooking either version up to such a charger will charge the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in just 31 minutes and 20-80 per cent in just 26 minutes.

“In the new Q8 e-tron, we were able to significantly increase both battery capacity and charging performance,” Audi Board Member for Technical Development Oliver Hoffmann said.

“This allowed us to achieve an optimal balance between energy density and charging capacity, as well as to increase efficiency.”

“On top of that, we improved the motors, progressive steering, and chassis control systems – and thus the dynamic driving characteristics that are typical of Audi in all versions of the Q8 e-tron.”

The specific changes to the electric steering comprise a faster ratio and new calibration designed to enhance road feel, both of which work in unison with the revised suspension arms, axle kinematics and (sportier) adaptive air suspension tune.

Tweaks have also been made to the electronic stability control system, which engineers say should allow for a little more slip, especially in tight corners, before intervening.

Despite the rebranding and mechanical upgrades, no significant upgrades have been made within the Q8 e-tron’s cabin beyond some contrast stitching for the entry-level 50, plus optional new sustainably-sourced upholsteries and trim inserts.

According to Audi EV product marketing manager Carter Balkcom, the biggest challenge in the Q8 e-tron’s development was being able to respond to the rapidly evolving competition on offer from an increasing number of rival brands.

“In the battery-electric segment, the world is moving incredibly fast,” he said.

“There are new competitors coming onto the market all of the time, bringing new features, always raising the bar on efficiency and range.

“Through the whole development cycle, we had to continually re-evaluate our strategy to make sure we were in line with market expectations of 2022, 2023 and going forward.

“We always pushed a little more and that’s allowed us to hit, for example, 600km of range in our highest-range version.”

While local homologation and local specification details are yet to be finalised, Balkcom confirmed the Q8 e-tron would be marginally more expensive than its predecessor on account of its myriad upgrades, but stipulated the value factor had also increased.

“At a global level we’re focusing on value for money, so even though the price, for example in Germany, has gone up, the customer is getting more for his money compared to the previous car,” he said.

For reference, the 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron will start from €74,000 ($A114,704) plus on-road costs when it hits German showrooms in February.

Audi Australia has just revised its local e-tron line-up from November, with the 55 now opening the range at $147,400 plus ORCs – at least until the Q8 e-tron replaces it next year.

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