The 100% electric Audi Q8 e-tron SUV does not only have the capability to cover long distances on a single full charge — as proven by independent journalists, among others — it achieves this by providing the most sophisticated and seamless driving experience.
This combination of exceptional driving range and luxury is what elevates the Q8 e-tron above other fully electric SUVs.
A solid proof of this is a recent activity during which journalists and electric vehicle advocates drove off from Audi Philippines’ facilities in Greenhills with 100% battery charge in each of the Q8 e-tron 55 SUVs in the fleet. Their destination was Baguio City for an overnight stay. The next day, the group headed back to Metro Manila, braving both inclement weather in the mountaintop city and rush-hour urban traffic.
At no point during the 526-kilometer Manila-Baguio-Manila trip did they charge the vehicles. Yet, upon their return to Audi Philippines, all the Q8 e-tron 55 SUVs had more than enough battery charge to spare. This proved to the participants the electric model’s real-world driving range.
Befitting its flagship status, the Q8 e-tron offers its occupants a suite of intelligent and luxurious features. Among these is a four-zone automatic climate control, which means rear seat passengers get their own pair of air-conditioning functions adjustable according to their preferences.
Supplementing this are front seats with ventilation, leading to even more comfort, as well as a massage function with multiple modes and intensity settings. Also fitted to the model are eight-way adjustable individual contour seats wrapped in sumptuous Valcona leather. An air quality package keeps the cabin constantly invigorating and fragrant, matched by the ambient LED interior lighting package plus feature offering a spectrum of color choices.
Adding to these is a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system with 3D sound that delivers crisp notes throughout the cabin, and which easily pairs with various digital devices.
Allowing this seamless integration is Audi’s advanced MMI touch response operating system. Comprising the system are two high-resolution displays — the upper one measures 10.1 inches, the lower one is sized 8.6 inches — that replace almost all switches and controls for the numerous infotainment, vehicle setting, navigation, driver assistance, and comfort functions. The Parking Aid Plus, which shows a 360-degree view of the vehicle in 3D, is also displayed on the upper screen. The controls return a haptic feedback, and can be accessed via voice recognition.
The Audi virtual cockpit with a full HD display for information regarding the selected settings and functions, such as charge status, driving range, power output, navigation, and multimedia, are placed directly on the driver’s line of sight. The HD display can easily be configured to show information preferred by the driver through the multifunction steering wheel.
Further guaranteeing utmost comfort over any type of road is the Q8 e-tron’s adaptive air suspension system with controlled damping. It instantaneously adjusts to surface conditions and, depending on which of the available seven driving modes is selected, lowers or raises the vehicle by as much as 76 millimeters either way. On its highest setting, the Q8 e-tron is afforded a 500-millimeter wading depth capacity.
In the Q8 e-tron 55 SUV, two electric motors — with each one placed on the front and the rear axle to create Audi’s famed quattro all-wheel drive system in electric form — produce 408 hp and 664 Nm of torque. The Q8 e-tron 55 Sportback, defined by sleek coupe silhouette, boasts the same power output but is rated to travel up to 594 kilometers. This is a bit more than the Q8 e-tron 55 SUV’s WLTP-tested range of up to 582 kilometers.
But, in whichever model, the long range is covered in utter sophistication and luxury.
