Audi Q8 e-Tron is on its way

In the ever changing landscape of automobiles, more and more manufacturers are moving towards having all electric vehicles, and Audi is no different. Audi already has the very popular Audi A3 e-Tron hatchback, and they are planning on expanding on the lineup, adding a couple SUV and a sports car to their all-electric platform.

Last week at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, Audi unveiled their concept for the all-electric Audi Q8, which is set to debut sometime next year. The luxury SUV runs on a plug-in hybrid system and is the basis for their other upcoming  e-Trons, the Q7 e-Tron SUV and the R8 e-Tron sports car. While the Q7 is designed to seat up to seven passengers and their cargo, the flagship Q8 is a different take with its more coupe-like roofline. At 16.5 feet long, the Q8 concept is about the same length as the Q7, but since it only has four seats, the amount of space for the four passengers is ample.

The Q8 will use both a 333hp combustion engine and a 100kW electric motor on an eight-speed transmission and three driving modes. The complete system will get 330kW and be able to hit 62 mph in 5.4 seconds. Top speed is 155 mph. The lithium-ion battery has an electric range of 37.3 miles, with a total range, including the engine, of 621.4 miles. A full charge to the battery will take less than three hours.

The Q8 e-Tron has some notable design features that make it stand out for the competition as well as its own brand. The first thing you notice is the new octagon-shaped grill, accented by bold vertical and horizontal bars covering a honeycomb pattern. The head lights are integrated into the entire front of the car and feel as though they are connected to the surrounding air vents.  A strip of lights across the rear of the car makes up Audi’s new “ e-tron light signature” that works both as tail and brake light and as turn indicators.

Audi has yet to release pricing on the eventual production version of the Q8, but it will likely cost well more than the $40,900 required to buy the current Q5 or the $49,000 price of the Q7. And while we wait, check out our other great Audi vehicles and contact us today to take your test drive.