Audi Q8 PHEV confirmed for Oz

Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the first plug-in hybrid version of the Audi Q8 in a matter of months, topping the large SUV model line-up at just under $150,000.

Announced at the recent launch of the smaller Audi Q5 PHEV, the Q8 PHEV will arrive Down Under in the fourth quarter of 2023 in a single highly-specified variant called the Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro, priced from $148,375 plus on-road costs.

The plug-in Q8 takes the 250kW 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 from the Q7 and Q8 and adds a 100kW/400Nm electric motor powered by a 17.9kWh lithium-ion battery. An eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system will be standard.

The electrified V6 petrol powertrain delivers combined outputs of 340kW of power and 700Nm of torque, which Audi says makes the Q8 PHEV good for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.3 seconds – not quite as quick as the V8-powered $167K SQ8 (4.1sec) or the $219K RS Q8 flagship (3.8sec).

The Q8 PHEV is said to offer a pure electric driving range of 59km, along with impressive efficiency figures. Audi claims combined fuel consumption of 2.6L/100km and energy consumption of 21.0kWh/100km (NEDC).

But as with the Q5 PHEV, the Q8 PHEV can only be charged via an AC outlet, via which Audi says it’ll take around 2.5 hours to fully charge the battery.

Standard equipment includes 21-inch alloy wheels, an S line exterior styling kit, panoramic sunroof, HD Matrix LED headlights, red brake callipers, Valcona leather upholstery, sports front seats with heating, tri-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, head-up display, wireless smartphone mirroring and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Audi says first examples of the plug-in Q8 are expected to arrive in October, however, ongoing delays could see that push out to later in the year.

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