2023 Audi Q8 E-tron gets £115,000 SQ8 range-topper

The upgraded drivelines use a revised electric motor for a reduced current and lower power consumption under constant cruising conditions. 

As before, both SUVs’ 50 and 55 models (the latter starting from £77,800) use two asynchronous motors (one at the front, one at the rear) with the more potent S variant continuing with a third additional motor at the rear. 

Power and torque for the 50 models increase to 335bhp and 489lb ft but stay the same for the 55, which offers 396bhp and 489lb ft. 

Further changes are focused on the battery, which continues to operate at 400V. Audi says the adoption of more advanced cells and a new battery management system increases the battery pack’s energy density by up to 20%. A revised stacking process, with altered electrode placement, is also said to increase overall energy efficiency. 

With its reworked 89kWh lithium ion battery, UK-bound versions of the E-tron 50 and E-tron Sportback 50 achieve a provisional range on the WLTP test cycle of 281 miles and 290 miles respectively. The larger 104kWh unit in the E-tron 55 and E-tron Sportback 55 provides respective ranges of 330 miles and 343 miles. The same battery in the SQ8 gives 284 miles in the conventional SUV and 295 miles in the Sportback.

Charging can be achieved at up to 11kW on an AC system and either 150kW (E-tron 50 and E-tron Sportback 50) or 170kW on a DC system. 

Audi claims charging times (from a 10% to 80% state of charge) of 28 minutes for the 89kWh battery and 31 minutes for the 104kWh battery under optimal conditions.