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

Audi announced that its flagship electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), Q8 e-tron, has been updated to provide better range and an improved battery in the United States (US).

Per the German carmaker, the new US-spec Audi Q8 e-tron now boasts an estimated range of around 482 kilometers (Q8 Sportback e-tron with ultra package). This shows an increase of about 30 percent versus the previous model of the same grade.

The aforementioned increase in range is also attributed to the several upgrades to the electric SUV, which includes a more aerodynamic body, its modified asynchronous electric motor (rear axle now with 14 motor windings instead of 12), and an improved battery.

Previously fitted with a 106 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery, the new US-market Audi Q8 e-tron now gets a 114kWh unit, which translates to a 23-percent greater net capacity.

On top of helping increase the Audi Q8 e-tron’s range, the new battery installed on the electric SUV now offers higher charging performance from 150 kilowatts (kW) to 170kW. Audi explained that such upgrades were possible thanks to adjustments to the battery management system and advancements in cell technology and cell chemistry.

That said, the battery can now juice up from 10-80 percent in about 31 minutes.

The new Audi Q8 e-tron will arrive in US showrooms in “summertime” in the States (from June to September) and will be offered in two trims: Q8 e-tron quattro and Q8 Sportback S line e-tron quattro.

Audi said that these vehicles will retail at US$74,400 (P4.072 million) and US$77,800 (P4.258 million) respectively.

Photos from Audi

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