2023 Audi Q8 e-tron launched in Malaysia – EV range up to 487 km, 408 PS; sport option back; from RM385k

PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM) has launched today Audi Q8 electronic, is offered in two body styles, each available in two variants. The all-electric SUV was formerly known simply as the e-tron when it made its global debut in September 2018, but has recently been renamed so customers can easily locate it in the brand’s lineup due to new EVs added over the years. Malaysia is the first market in Southeast Asia to receive the Q8 e-tron, which is completely imported from Audi’s production plant in Brussels, Germany.

In terms of dimensions, the Q8 e-tron has a length of 4,915 mm, a width of 1,937 mm and a wheelbase of 2,928 mm – the trunk volume is 569 liters. Competitors in the segment where the Q8 e-tron competes include bmw ix as Mercedes-Benz EQC – the former is slightly larger in size while the latter is smaller by comparison.

With a starting price of RM384,790 on the uninsured road, Audi cuts the BMW iX starting at RM385,430 (or RM403,800 if you include the five-year warranty and service pack) for the base xDrive40. The same is true for the Mercedes, as it retails for RM393,888 for the single EQC400 4Matic.

The Audi asking price in question applies to the basic 50 quattro advanced Q8 e-tron, which has two electric motors providing a total system output of 340 PS (335 hp or 250 kW) and torque. 664 Nm. This setting allows the car to accelerate from 0-100 km / h in 6 seconds and a maximum speed of 200 km / h.

Power for the electric motor is provided by a lithium-ion battery with a total energy capacity of 95 kWh (89 kWh usable), providing a range of up to 410 km according to WLTP standards. The 11 kW AC charger (Type 2) fully charges the battery in about 9.15 hours, while with DC fast charging (CCS2) at a maximum supported input of 150 kW, the state of charge is 0-80% ( SoC) is achieved in 28 min.

In terms of equipment, the advanced Q8 e-tron 50 quattro comes with adaptive air suspension, dynamic style 20-inch Graphite Gray alloy wheels, man-made ‘mono.pur 550’ leather seats, LED headlights with high beam assist, High-Gloss styling package, leatherette dashboard and aluminum interior with glossy black controls.

There’s also the Audi plus virtual cockpit (12.3-inch digital instrument cluster) and the MMI Navigation plus infotainment system with MMI touch feedback. The latter consists of two high-resolution touchscreens, with the upper one being a 10.1-inch display that provides access to the majority of the vehicle’s functions. Just below this is another screen measuring 8.6 inches diagonally that handles the climate control system and selected features.

Completing the base option kit list are the Audi smartphone interface (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), power-adjustable front seats with driver-side memory function, four-zone climate control, optional. Audi driver selector, electric tailgate, eight airbags, Audi front and rear sensors (including AEB), adaptive cruise control (with speed limiter, effective assist with navigation assist and assist turn), lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring as well as cross-traffic assist front and rear.

If you have more money and want more performance and luxury equipment, you can move a step up the variant tree to the Q8 e-tron S series 55 quattro which retails at RM475,790. This variant gets sportier S line trim inside and out, and its all-wheel drive electric powertrain delivers 408 PS (402 hp or 300 kW) and 664 Nm.

Thanks to that, the sprint time of the century was reduced to 5.6 seconds but the top speed remained the same. The battery of the Q8 e-tron S 55 quattro series also has a higher total energy capacity of 114 kWh (106 kWh available) which increases the range to 481 km. In terms of charging capabilities, the higher-spec variant supports AC charging at a higher rate of 22 kW, with a full charge taking six hours. DC fast charging speed is also increased to 170 kW and the SoC reaches 0-80% in 31 minutes.

The Q8 e-tron S line 55 quattro improves on the base variant’s kit list by including turbine-style black five-spoke 21-inch alloys, Valcona leather seats, matrix LED headlights, and a grille. Illuminated singleframe, panoramic glass sunroof, illuminated S line anti-scratch plate, three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel, air ionizer and aromaizer for climate system, power door closure and mirrors virtual exterior (camera instead of traditional rearview mirror).

So far, we’ve covered the regular Q8 e-tron, but what if the traditional SUV bodywork is a bit too old for your taste? Well, the Q8 e-tron is also available in Sportback form, and two variants are available for this coupe-esque body style that mimics the regular model.

You have to sacrifice a bit of trunk space for a more dynamic silhouette, as the Q8 Sportback e-tron offers a capacity of 528 liters at the rear. Prices start at RM390,790 for the 50 quattro advanced Q8 Sportback e-tron, which gives you the same powertrain as the conventional-body equivalent mentioned above. The performance figures are the same, although the range is slightly better at 415 km, which can be attributed to the car’s configuration – identical charging specifications.

Likewise, the equipment you get with the 50 quattro advanced Q8 Sportback e-tron is mostly the same as the non-Sportback variant, but with some glaring differences. As standard, the base variant of the Q8 Sportback e-tron comes with adaptive sport air suspension, 20-inch Graphite Gray alloy wheels in Aero ring-style five-arms, Valcona leather, LED headlights matrix, Black Styling package, red painted brake calipers and dark matte brush trim – these are not offered for the advanced Q8 e-tron 50 quattro.

Moving on to the final variant of the Q8 e-tron lineup, we have the Q8 Sportback e-tron S line 55 quattro priced at RM485,790. Like the previous variant we talked about, the powertrain is similar to the equivalent non-Sportback variant above, and you can also get a little more range at 487 km. 22 kW AC charging and 170 kW DC fast charging are also shared.

This extends to the kit list, with the top-of-the-line Q8 Sportback e-tron mimicking the advanced Q8 Sportback e-tron 50 quattro, except for one notable difference: 5-arm Aero construction style alloys Audi Sport 21-inch metallic black.

Every Q8 e-tron purchased comes with a standard two-year warranty and five-year roadside assistance, while the EV battery is also covered by an eight-year, 160,000-km warranty. All variants can be ordered with the Audi Guarantee Package (AAP) for an additional RM13,000, which adds three years of warranty to the vehicle for a total of five years.

All e-tron models sold will come with a Compact e-tron Charging System that includes a smart compact charger and a power cable. This can be used with a standard household electrical outlet of 1.8 to 2.3 kW or through a three-phase power supply of 11 kW.

Charging can be set to 100% and 50% of the charge power on the charger to avoid overloading the home electrical system. As an added benefit, owners will also receive a free RM1,000 worth of JomCharge credits with a validity period of one year.

Here is a simple overview of the Audi Q8 e-tron lineup:

• Advanced Audi Q8 e-tron 50 quattro – RM 384,790; RM397,790 with AAP
• Audi Q8 e-tron S series 55 quattro – RM 475,790; RM488,790 with AAP
• Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron advanced 50 quattro – RM390,790; RM403,790 with AAP
• Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron S series 55 quattro – RM485,790; RM498,790 with AAP

LIBRARY: 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron S series 55 quattro

LIBRARY: 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron advanced 50 quattro

LIBRARY: 2023 Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron advanced 50 quattro