Audi Q8 e-Tron Sportback Review

The Q8 e-tron is the latest electric model from Audi. It is the facelift or update on the first e-tron SUV, and like that model, it comes in SUV and Sportback or coupé SUV body styles, and we are getting both. I have driven and tested all versions of this model on the first global drive a few months ago, in the Canary Islands. I am just outside Bangalore to test the car. And since both body styles are similar in performance and trim, today I am spending time with the Sportback.

Audi Q8 e-Tron Sportback: Exterior

It is very pretty to look at. It is an Audi, and it's very recognisable as one, so you know the overall design language hasn't changed in a revolutionary way. You still get a lot of muscle in the hood and, like I said, typical Audi styling. But the e-Tron family of SUVs gets the e-Tron grille. It’s almost like this mask in front, I like that. Big e-tron etched badging, and then the new thing you are seeing globally, which is this 2-dimensional flat 4-ring logo.

There aren't any metal rings anymore. It's just a flat thing, but it’s housed in this protruding sort of panel that has a light bar on top; so underneath this top section of the grille. You can't see it in this light, but you’ve got this little bit of a light bar it's not a DRL; what it does is just cast a nice little glow and highlight the four rings. Just the tops of the rings. Nice little signature at night or at dusk. It is cool, very sophisticated, and high-end.

Of course, you’ve got the actual DRLs in their full LED treatment. Nice sporty finish to this front grille. Being the Sportback it does look cool. The headlight motif remains akin to the pre-facelift e-tron too. The e-Tron always had two charging ports – one on each fender, so it’s easier to just park and charge.

So, you know how all the Q cars the SUVs from Audi – the Q was kind of squarish and chunky. Well, it's changed now, so at the back, you see a much rounder Q. And it is also nicely, subtly finished in black. Looks pretty cool, very upmarket, very stylish. Talking about that, on the side because you also got badging that's barely seen – very subtle again here on the B-pillar; so, it says Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback quattro.

I like that it's something different and new, you also see a lot of muscle front fender as well as over here it kind of rises out of the door adding a nice amount of character and heft and strength to the overall design. Now the coupé line on the Sportback has gotten more and more popular. In fact, Audi says even its Q3 Sportback has been received well now as compared to a few years ago.

So, no doubt about it – people opting for the Q8 e-tron – would very definitely consider the Sportback as well in my opinion. The SUV version also gets the same styling changes. But overall, it looks leaner and more agile in its stance.

Audi Q8 e-Tron Sportback: Battery & Range

The driving range on the Q8 e-tron is higher than on the pre-facelift car. It has increased between 32 and 44 per cent, which translates to between 5 and 600 km across all variants. Now globally you got 3 models or 3 variants of the Q8 e-tron family. So, what’s essentially the 50 the 55 – they are not using that badging anymore – and then of course the SQ8 e-tron, which is the powerful version.

Now we are not getting the SQ8, but we are getting both the others. The car I am driving is essentially what would be the 55 – so the higher one, and then you got the 50 which is the entry version that’s also going to be available at launch. With that you get the 95-kilowatt hour battery, and 333 bhp. This one, it's a 114-kilowatt-hour battery and 400 bhp.

The motors on the Q8 e-tron are now more tightly wound. This has been done to extract more torque. There are two motors – front and rear – which also give you the all-wheel-drive or quattro capability. While on the SQ8 e-Tron, you have three motors – two at the back and one in front – for torque vectoring. I did drive the SQ8 extensively too during my last outing with this model line. And it’s totally sick! But as I’ve already told you – we ain’t getting it. The good news is – the regular car is also plenty of fun.

Audi Q8 e-Tron Sportback: Ride & Handling

There are lots of improvements on this car as compared to the previous e-tron this is like the facelift of that car, but you know what there’s also changes a lot of things dynamically it's not just the outside that’s changed, not just the look that's changed, it’s not just a few features the car is a lot sportier it's a lot tighter it handles much nicer. Not like the previous car was bad, but you know this one just takes it up a notch. And it still maintains a really nice ride quality as well, while doing all of that. But nice steering, good cornering, and very fun to drive.

Yes, the dynamic prowess the car now boasts is a definite USP. It is way sharper, sportier, and gives you a much quicker response. And as I said, the handling is a lot sharper too, as is the steering. The Sportback is slightly more dynamic – though you couldn’t tell that difference when driving. It also has marginally better aerodynamics given its swept-back roofline.

On Audi drive select you get the usual modes – there is comfort, there's efficiency, there is dynamic, and there is also individual. And besides that, you get off-road and all-road as well on the Q8 e-tron. Besides all the usual drive modes you also have something called the range mode.

As the name implies, if you are a little bit worried about how much juice you got left in the battery, essentially what it does is – it just gives you the most optimal, most efficient use of that remaining power. So, it cuts off things like air conditioning, and any extra lighting or any other element that could be sucking up some of that power. So that's good to have I suppose. Because you never know when you might need it.

Audi Q8 e-Tron Sportback: Tech & Interior

The Q8 e-tron also gets a suite of ADAS functions. From lane-keep assist to adaptive cruise control, and self-parking. Inside it has a beautifully finished cabin. Great materials and also the latest Audi MMI Navigation Plus, and virtual cockpit plus instrument cluster. The Apple CarPlay connectivity is not wireless though which is a bummer.

But there’s a wireless charger, and the Bang & Olufsen sound system with 16 speakers is awesome. You also get a massage on the front seats, 30-colour ambient lighting, and lots of customisation options on the materials and trims. The myAudiconnect app gives you telematics, and lets you monitor the car’s status, its charging progress, and also your own driving behaviour and efficiency.

Another nice-to-have feature is the air suspension it gives you a fair amount of travel overall its 76 mm so when you put the current dynamic it actually drops down from its 176 mm ground clearance drops 26 mm down further.

And of course, when you are off-road mode if you want to manually raise the car from that regular ground clearance of 176 mm, it can go up 50 mm as well so overall like I said 76 mm range that you can manipulate the height of the car on our roads on any roads frankly good to have.

Audi Q8 e-Tron Sportback: Verdict

The Q8 e-tron is undoubtedly one of the coolest EVs in the market now. The launch is just days away which is when we will have prices. It will primarily need to take on the BMW iX – the best-selling premium EV across all brands and body types.

While it may not be as dynamic as that car, it is beautifully styled and finished and has all the features you’d want. And then more competition is coming in the form of cars like the Mercedes-EQE SUV too.

Photography By: Anand Malepu