On Tuesday, Audi unveiled a broad refresh of its E-Tron large electric SUV, with a renewed push towards better range and efficiency.
It is also renamed: E-Tron and E-Tron Sportback from 2023 will be called Q8 E-Tron and Q8 E-Tron Sportback.
The renaming strategy is part of what Audi is calling a new corporate identity, focusing on high quality and modern design – while at the same time being an upgraded and premium move for the model – as the The smaller the car, the more affordable it is Q4 E-Tron SUV and Sportback avoid it.
The SUV and Sportback’s more formal body style, with a somewhat slimmer, coupe-like roofline, is both similar to the Q8 E-Tron line. Refreshed details, colors and materials, as well as an expanded tech feature set will all go a long way to claiming that more premium position.
2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron Sportback
Aside from cosmetics, Audi this time is aiming much higher on range: “about 300” miles, the automaker said, noting the importance of having a “range number starting with three” as standard. US EPA.
More range, faster charging
Carter Balkcom, product marketing specialist for E-Tron, in a background session outlined some basics for Q8: mentioning follow-up activities the brand has done with E-buyers -Tron SUV soon.
The Q8’s predecessor, the E-Tron family, includes a 71 kwh battery and a 95 kwh battery. With the refresh, the Q8 E-tron will, globally, offer 95 kwh and 114 kwh battery packs, with the 114 kwh pack being the only size offered for North America.
Including the 6% efficiency boost found in the engine hardware, Audi says, the larger battery allows for a 30 to 40% increase in range compared to previous 95 kWh models — allowing for more range. WLTP up to 600 km.
2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron
In addition, despite the larger battery capacity, it is also set to charge faster. Audi has enhanced the charge curve where people are most likely to notice it. Q8 E-Tron’s Charging Peak has been increased from 150 kw (officially, although we have observed 155 kw several times) to 170 kw, right in the middle of the battery’s state of charge. Audi says this guarantees a charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 31 minutes – which makes even more sense with the extra battery and range.
It uses the same battery box and placement as before, as well as cells of the same size, but for more power, the company is using a new stacking technology for the prismatic cells. The cells are the same size but fill more than 20% of the pack space.
2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron
The cells are nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) in the first model, while in the new model the cells switch to nickel cobalt aluminum (NCA) chemistry.
No weight gain (well, almost)
Even considering the additional power, Audi has kept the weight gain to a minimum. The 114 kWh pack, which weighs 1,602 pounds, is only about 44 pounds heavier than the previous 95 kWh pack. It offsets most of the increased weight in other parts of the car, like a new lightweight underbody configuration that saves about 15 pounds.
The larger battery pack is 20% larger, but Audi sees a range increase of 30% or more. That’s because it delivers performance in many other ways, some more granular than you might expect for mid-cycle refreshes.
2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron
For example, the number of coils for the rear induction motor unit of the E-Tron has been increased from 12 to 14, allowing the motor to generate torque with less current than before, effectively assisting. Likewise, there are some “new tricks,” the company says, that allow the motors to spin more freely when there’s no load. And it changed the way the E-Tron used the front engine versus the rear one.
Audi is changing its name three E-Tron engines WILL SQ8 E-Tron, though the performance numbers are still up – 0-60 mph is 4.5 seconds for the SQ8, while the 55 variant expected for the US will manage it in 5.6 seconds.
Adjusted for sport
Audi has also worked to improve the Q8 E-Tron’s dynamics. Faster steering ratios and new steering adjustments, plus new suspension arms aim to feel sportier on the road — and the air suspension has been retuned to help. Furthermore, now 100% of all Q8 E-Trons worldwide will have an air suspension setup.
It brings digital matrix headlight technology to the Q8 E-Tron, with new functionality for turn signals and lane lights, including specific black arrows for highway use. Lights now help notify and react to impending accidents or incidents.
Audi stresses that it’s still working on getting some of these advanced functions approved for the US – including virtual side mirrors – so don’t expect them at launch.
2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron
2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron
2023 Audi Q8 E-Tron
The interior of the Q8 E-Tron is perhaps what offers the most, though Audi notes that it has shifted its focus on color and trim, with a new walnut wood for inlays, as well as plastic fabric for the inlays. from PET bottles and a pack of new red stitches. All seats now have contrast stitching and also have a suede replacement made of recycled materials.
Positioned as a flagship
Audi has yet to detail the E-Tron lineup for the US or say how prices might change. But it is fair to assume that they will increase significantly. Audi says that now, starting with the mid-range Advanced, there are no more base E-Trons in the Q8 translation.
2023 Audi SQ8 E-Tron
The new Q8 E-Tron series will enter production for Europe in mid-November, with first deliveries in late February there and US deliveries coming just two months later.
