New Audi Q8 e-tron: pricing for updated SUV to start from £67,800

By Sam Phillips

7 Nov 2022

The new Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback have been given a refresh, with updates including extra range, revamped styling – and a new name.

The models will now be known as the Q8 e-tron and the Q8 e-tron Sportback, positioning them at the top of the firm's electric SUV line-up. Alongside technical upgrades including more efficient batteries, Audi has given its electric SUV some exterior design tweaks, with the interior gaining a fresh makeover as well.

UK pricing will start from £67,800 for the entry-level Q8 50 e-tron, rising to £117,000 for the 370kW SQ8 Sportback e-tron Vorsprung, with first deliveries due in April next year.

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The Q8 e-tron will maintains the e-tron's current model line-up: the 50, 55 and range topping SQ8. They will be priced from £67,800, £82,800 and £97,500 respectively.

The 250kW 50 and 300kW 55 models will be offered in Sport, S Line, Black Edition and Vorsprung trim levels, while the SQ8 will be available in Black Edition and Vorsprung. In all cases, the Sportback models command a £2500 premium.

Audi says it has revised its asynchronous motors by adding more coils, meaning the electric motor requires less energy to generate torque. This has lowered consumption and increased the range of all variants.

The entry-level Q8 50 e-tron and 50 e-tron Sportback will arrive with a 89kWh lithium ion battery offering a range of 289 and 311 miles respectively. Both the 55 e-tron and 55 e-tron Sportback feature a larger 104kWh unit, with claimed WLTP range of 360 miles for the SUV and 373 miles for the coupe-styled Sportback.

The S model gets the bigger battery and 311 miles of range, forsaking some mileage for all-out performance.

Charging speeds are up to 170kW, meaning the smaller 89kWh battery can be charged from 10-80 per cent in 28 minutes, while the 104kWh taking 31 minutes.

The 50 models offer an output of 250kW and 489lb ft torque, while the 55 e-tron will arrive with 300kW and 489lb ft. The tri-motor S variant gets 370kW power and a whopping 717lb ft torque; that’s good enough for a 0-62mph time of just 4.5 seconds.

Audi has added some subtle design changes to the exterior of the new Q8 e-tron, with a new front-grille being one of the more obvious updates. The front end also features Audi’s flatter, two-dimensional ring badge. New controllable cooling air inlets have been added, as well as wheel spoilers on the underbody to improve airflow around the wheels.

The front headlights have also been upgraded with three features available, including a new function which orientates the lights on country lanes, and a light direction indicator.

Audi added that much of the design updates have aided aerodynamic efficiency, with the drag coefficient improving by 0.2 on the previous model.

Alongside the exterior update, the interior has been face-lifted to bring the Q8 e-tron in line with current models.

Audi says the new SUV will be certified as net carbon neutral thanks to the use of recycled materials within the cabin such as the seat upholstery.

The inbound e-tron gets Audi’s MMI infotainment system, which runs through a 10.1 inch touchscreen display. With MMI drivers get voice control, virtual cockpit and navigation plus, as well as a Band and Olufsen sound system.

Audi says there are around 40 assistance systems to choose from. The car has up to five radar sensors, five cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors to provide feedback to the car's central driver assistance control. New for the 2023 model is remote park assist plus, which helps manoeuvre the car into tight parking spaces.

What do I get in each trim?

The entry-level Sport models will feature 20in alloy wheels, adaptive air suspension, progressive steering, Matrix LED headlights, an electronic boot, heated front seats, leather trim, a 10-speaker stereo, a wireless smartphone charger and a range of driver assistance systems.

S Line trim gains extra including 21in alloys, adaptive sport air suspension, special front and rear bumpers, a rear diffuser and rear privacy glass.

The Black Edition trim adds an Audi 'beam' with the e-tron logo, black door mirrors and windows surrounds, and an anthracite inlay mesh.

The top-spec Vorsprung models feature 22in alloys, digital Matrix lights, digital wing mirrors, adaptive windscreen wipers, 'super sport' seats, an electric steering column, and the Technology Pro, Tour, City Assist and Parking Assist packs.

The Technology Pack is a £2995 option on lower trim levels and includes a Bang & Olufsen sound system, multicolour ambient interior lighting, a 360-degree camera and park assist plus. The £5995 Technology Pack Pro adds an illuminated grille, four-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, a rear USB-C port and heated rear sets.

There is also a £1995 Tour Pack that included lane assist, emergency assist, a predictive efficiency assistant and turn assist, and a £1495 City Assist pack with a rear pre-sense system, an exit warning, cross traffic front and rear assist and lane assist.

You can also add digital door mirrors for £1750.