Audi PH expands electrified lineup with Q8 e-tron introduction

Audi Philippines further expanded its electric vehicle (EV) lineup with the introduction of the Q8 e-tron to the local market.

Offered in sport utility vehicle (SUV) and sportback body formats, the Audi Q8 e-tron joined the brand’s purely electric models offered in the country namely the e-tron GT and its high-performance version, the RS e-tron GT.

Per the Ingolstadt-headquartered marque’s local arm, the nameplate’s SUV versions (available in two trims namely the Audi Q8 e-tron 50 and 55) as well as the sportback offer improved performance and range.

Powering the Audi e-tron’s three options are the dual electric motors with battery packs that can store up to 114 kilowatt-hours of energy (depending on the chosen version).

With the aforementioned battery, the sportback iteration can cover as much as 600 kilometers (km) — setting the longest range among the three (due to aerodynamics). Meanwhile, Q8 e-tron 55 can travel up to 580 km when fully juiced up while its 50 variant’s range only reaches up to 490 km.

 

On paper, the power mills of both the Audi Q8 e-tron 55 SUV and the sportback version can deliver a peak churn of as much as 408 horsepower (hp). On the other hand, the Q8 e-tron 50 can provide 335 horses. Despite that, the pulling power of the newly-revealed electric engines are all pegged at 664 Newton-meters.

The three vehicles’ mills are mated to the signature quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Aesthetics

The Audi Q8 e-tron comes with the new two-dimensional four-ring logo on its singleframe grille as well as the new badge on the B-pillar.

Another set of similarities that can be found in the Audi Q8 e-tron 55 SUV and the Sportback are the panoramic glass sunroof and that their bumpers are in full paint finish. Aside from that, they also come in Black Appearance package and their lighting systems are both on digital matrix LED headlamps.

The Audi Q8 e-tron 50 is offered in high-gloss design package, has matrix LED headlights and, its bumpers feature a contrast paint finish.

Welcoming occupants inside a very homely cabin are Valcona leather seats. Additionally, three display panels are seen in the SUV format (digital instrument cluster, infotainment system, and air-conditioning controls).

 

 

The company unveiled the new offerings on the first day of the recently-concluded Audi Driving Experience held last August 4-6 in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. 

At the venue grounds, Audi Philippines showcased the Q8 e-tron SUV's off-road prowess through a series of tests, which included an activity that highlighted the vehicle's 500-millimeter wading depth.

To note, the Audi Q8 e-tron was awarded with the "2023 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+.” Per Audi, the recognition is based on “good” ratings in the driver- and passenger-side small overlap front tests, original moderate overlap front test, and the updated side test, plus no less than an “acceptable” rating for standard headlights, and no less than an “advanced” rating for both vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention tests.

Photos from Ruben Manahan IV

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US-spec Audi Q8 e-tron gets increased range, improved battery

Audi PH brings in e-tron lineup