Audi Q8 e-tron SUV, Sportback launched; priced from Rs 1.14 crore

Audi has launched the Q8 e-tron in India with the SUV’s prices starting at Rs 1.14 crore and the Sportback starting at Rs 1.18 crore (ex-showroom, India). The Q8 e-tron is essentially a facelift of what was previously known as just the e-tron. Both the SUV and the Sportback are available in two trims – 50 and 55 – with a maximum range of up to 600km on the WLTP cycle. Bookings for the Q8 e-tron are underway for a token amount of Rs 5 lakh.

1. Exterior and interior cosmetic updates are minor
2. Most significant updates are under the skin
3. Rivals the BMW iX and Jaguar I-Pace

Here’s a look at the detailed price list of the Q8 e-tron in India:

Audi Q8 e-tron powertrain and specifications

The most significant updates on the Q8 e-tron are to the battery. The 55 variants now get a larger 114kWh battery, up from the previous version’s 95kWh battery. Meanwhile, the lower-spec 50 variant, which previously used a 71kWh battery, now gets the 95kWh battery pack. The battery powers two electric motors – one on each axle – which have a combined output of 340hp and 408hp in the 50 and 55 variants, respectively, while the torque, at 664Nm, is the same for both.

The claimed range varies depending on the battery size as well as body style. The SUV has a maximum claimed range of 491km and 582km in the 50 and 55 variants, respectively, while the Sportback has a maximum range of 505km and 600km in the 50 and 55 variants, respectively.

Audi is providing a 22kW AC charger with the Q8 e-tron, and it can support up to 170kW DC fast charging. With the former, Audi claims the Q8 e-tron 50 can charge from 0-100 percent in about 4.45 hours, while the 55 variant with the larger battery pack takes six hours for a full charge.

Audi Q8 e-tron exterior and interior updates

Although exterior cosmetic updates are quite minimal, Audi has still freshened up the design quite a bit. The grille gets a new mesh design with black surrounds as well as a new light bar that visually connects the slightly tweaked headlamps. The Q8 e-tron also gets Audi’s new 2D logo that’s finished in solid white. Elsewhere, the front and rear bumpers get edgier styling and the front chin is now finished in gloss black. The Q8 e-tron also gets a new design for the 20-inch alloy wheels, although they remain unchanged in size.

The interior, however, remains largely unchanged, which means it continues with the two-touchscreen setup on the centre console – a 10.1-inch screen for the infotainment system and an 8.6-inch screen for HVAC controls. It also gets an all-digital instrument cluster with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit Plus, a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen speaker system, a panoramic sunroof, four-zone climate control and a 360-degree camera, the last of which is a new addition. However, wireless Apple CarPlay is still missing from the equipment list.

The Q8 e-tron rivals the BMW iX and the Jaguar I-Pace in India. For reference, the iX is priced at Rs 1.21 crore, while the I-Pace is priced between Rs 1.20 crore-1.24 crore, ex-showroom.

Also See:

Audi Q8 e-tron review: Unpretentious appeal