Audi has been on a roll lately with its electric vehicles. The e-tron GT and the RS e-tron GT are stunning sports sedans that can rival the best from Tesla and Porsche. The Q4 e-tron and the Q4 e-tron Sportback are compact SUVs that offer practicality and style at an affordable price. The e-tron and the e-tron Sportback are spacious and luxurious SUVs that can go far with their long-range batteries.
But what if you want something more? Something that combines the e-tron GT's performance, the e-tron's space, and the e-tron Sportback's style? Well, you’re in luck because Audi has just unveiled the 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron and the SQ8 e-tron Sportback, two high-performance electric SUVs that aim to be the ultimate in their segment.
What is the SQ8 e-tron?
The SQ8 e-tron is based on the Q8 e-tron, which is based on the Q8, Audi’s flagship SUV. The Q8 e-tron is a fully electric version of the Q8, which competes with the likes of the BMW X6, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron is expected to arrive with a starting price of around $80,000.
The SQ8 e-tron, however, is not just a Q8 e-tron with a sporty badge. It’s a whole different beast, with a more powerful three-motor electric powertrain that makes 496 horsepower and 718 lb-ft of torque. That’s a significant boost over the Q8 e-tron’s 402 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. The SQ8 e-tron can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds, which is faster than some sports cars. It also has a top speed of 155 mph, which is electronically limited.
The SQ8 e-tron also has a larger battery pack than the Q8 e-tron, with a capacity of 106 kWh. This gives it an estimated range of 253 miles on a single charge, which is decent but not outstanding. However, the SQ8 e-tron can charge quickly, thanks to its 170 kW DC fast-charging capability. It can go from 10% to 80% battery level in about 31 minutes, which is comparable to the Tesla Model X.
The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron is available in two body styles: the regular SQ8 e-tron, which has a conventional SUV shape, and the SQ8 e-tron Sportback, which has a sloping roofline that gives it a more coupe-like appearance. The Sportback sacrifices some cargo space and rear headroom for the sake of style, but it also has a slightly lower drag coefficient, which improves its efficiency and range.
How does the SQ8 e-tron drive?
The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron is not just a fast and powerful electric SUV. Thanks to its advanced technology and engineering, it's also smart and agile. The SQ8 e-tron has three electric motors: one on the front axle and two on the rear axle. This allows it to have a sophisticated torque vectoring system, which can distribute power to each wheel individually, depending on the driving situation. This enhances the handling and stability of the SQ8 e-tron, especially in corners.
The SQ8 e-tron also has an adaptive air suspension, which can adjust the ride height and damping of the vehicle, depending on the road conditions and the driving mode. The SQ8 e-tron has seven driving modes: Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Efficiency, Individual, Offroad, and Allroad. Each mode changes the settings of the suspension, steering, throttle, and brakes, as well as the sound and display of the vehicle. The SQ8 e-tron can also lower or raise its body by up to 3.1 inches, depending on the speed and the terrain.
The SQ8 e-tron also has a four-wheel steering system, which can turn the rear wheels by up to 5 degrees, depending on the speed and the steering angle. This improves the maneuverability and agility of the SQ8 e-tron, especially in tight spaces and low speeds. It also improves the stability and safety of the SQ8 e-tron, especially at high speeds and during lane changes.
The SQ8 e-tron also has a regenerative braking system, which can recover up to 30% of the energy that would otherwise be lost during braking. The driver can adjust the level of regenerative braking by using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel, or by using the brake pedal. The SQ8 e-tron also has an electric brake booster, which can provide more braking power and responsiveness and a smoother transition between the regenerative and the hydraulic brakes.
How is the SQ8 e-tron’s interior?
The SQ8 e-tron’s interior is a blend of luxury and sportiness with high-quality materials and features. The SQ8 e-tron comes standard with leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and a wireless smartphone charger. The SQ8 e-tron also has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which Audi calls the Virtual Cockpit. This can display various information and graphics, such as speed, navigation, media, and driving modes. The driver can customize the Virtual Cockpit by using the buttons on the steering wheel or the voice control system.
The SQ8 e-tron also has a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The infotainment system can also access various online services and features like weather, traffic, news, and music streaming. The SQ8 e-tron also has an 8.6-inch touchscreen below the infotainment system, which controls the climate, the seats, and the vehicle settings. The SQ8 e-tron also has a head-up display, which can project important information and warnings onto the windshield.
The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron also has a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, which Audi calls the Pre Sense system. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, surround-view camera, and night vision. The SQ8 e-tron also has a remote parking feature, allowing the driver to park the vehicle outside using a smartphone app.
The SQ8 e-tron also has a spacious and comfortable cabin, with plenty of room for five passengers and their luggage. The SQ8 e-tron has 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which can be expanded to 60.7 cubic feet by folding them down. The SQ8 e-tron Sportback has slightly less cargo space, with 28.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.5 cubic feet with them folded down.
