Audi was one of the forerunners in the luxury EV race in the country when it first launched the e-tron electric SUV in 2021. Two years later, the German luxury carmaker has launched the updated model of the SUV, now christened the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron, in India at Rs 1.14 crore and 1.18 crore, ex-showroom onwards, respectively. The SUVs will only be offered with two powertrain options – 50 and 55.
Audi has made minor changes to the exteriors as the electric SUVs now feature a new mesh grille with blacked out elements, a LED bar that connects the LED Matrix headlamps and the carmaker’s new 2D logo. There is Q8 e-tron badging on the B-Pillars, presumably to remind you of the name of the car you purchased. Inside, things remain largely unchanged with three displays including a 10.1-inch infotainment, an 8.6-inch HVAC screen and Audi’s digital driver’s cockpit, on offer.
The peak output in the base variant stands at 348PS and 664Nm, and goes up to 407PS and 664Nm in the Q8 55 e-tron and Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron. Both get a dual-motor setup (one on each axle), which also enables all-wheel drive capabilities which Audi calls e-quattro. Powering the 50 variants is a 95kWh battery pack that allows a WLTP claimed range of 491km and 505km on the standard and Sportback versions, respectively. On the other hand, the 55 variants get a 114kWh battery pack that allows a WLTP claimed range of 582km and 600km, respectively.
The Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron will compete against other luxury SUVs like the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQC.
