How the 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron 55’s EV tech elevates luxury
What exactly is luxury?
Although some would relate the term to indulgences like a multi-course meal, a swanky hotel room or a deeply cosseting day at the spa, others use the word simply to underscore the abundance of something pleasurable – free time, books, money and the like.
The first nuance is particularly apparent when you sit in or drive a luxury car. That’s because automobiles are among the most highly visceral machines that we interact with – you can see the vibrant paintwork, smell the rich leather and, most importantly, feel the total imperviousness of the cabin to the worries of the world.
That last point is all the more apparent with the advent of electric vehicles (EVs). From humble hatchbacks to scintillating supercars, electrification has taken all the hullaballoo around noise, vibration and harshness, and simply thrown it out the window.
One of Audi Philippines’ best contributions to this movement is the 2024 Q8 e-tron sport-utility vehicle. We got a chance to find out if this plush EV is really worth the premium.
Timeless style
Some say this big Audi looks as traditional as all the other Audis in the lineup – and all I can say is, thank goodness.
EVs have somehow become the latest muses of the automotive avant-garde. This probably explains why the Q8 e-tron’s rival, the BMW iX, looks like a glaring cyberpig from the year 2050 (and yes, this is from someone who owns a ‘90s BMW).
The Audi, on the other hand, uses its generous dimensions and flowing curves to show (not flaunt) its handsomeness. Even the Plasma Blue paint scheme, rich and deep like the sea, compliments the car’s sporty gloss-black trim.
Powerful LED headlights are framed with LED daytime lights that include the four-bar stack seen only on the Q8 e-tron. And no super-sized nostrils here – just the standard Audi hexagonal grill with its trademark four-ring logo that lights up in the dark.
This Audi EV’s flanks are made attractive by the high beltline and the two-tone, 21-inch, cast-aluminum wheels. The additional black trim on the bottom of the doors adds depth to prevent slab sides, while the little electric doors on the fenders reveal DC and AC charging ports.
It is, however, the rear of the Q8 e-tron that offers its best angle. The raked rear windscreen is balanced out by the tailgate spoiler, while the LED taillights (which shine like rubies at night) jut out to make it resemble its gorgeous fastback sibling, the e-tron GT.
Practicality with distinction
Inside, the Q8 e-tron’s vast cabin blends the traditional and the new in fabulous ways.
The Valcona leather upholstery almost melts to your touch, while its light-brown hue happily balances out what would have been a depressing sea of black. Although I miss the walnut veneer of old Audis, the piano-black and silver trim makes this EV look more contemporary.
The MMI infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also makes sense – the touchscreen is reasonably easy to navigate, while providing a satisfying feedback from a firm push. Chinese carmakers should really pay attention to how Audi does their screens, instead of trying to put confusing giant tablets in everyone’s faces.
And then there’s the orchestra – I mean, the Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system. The only way you could replicate the clarity of this audio setup is to shove the musicians inside the car, which is not entirely impossible given this Audi’s enormous cargo area with split-folding rear seats.
But by far the most wonderful parts of the Q8 e-tron’s cabin are the front seats. Electrically adjustable, heated, ventilated and with massage function, these chairs soothe the weariest of souls, all while providing sufficient support even for more spirited drivers.
Combine this with the two standard perfumes (Summer or Winter) that are coursed through the powerful four-zone climate control system and you’ll almost be tempted to eschew the spa date and just drive around in this EV for a few hours.
Stupendous pace, total grace
And when you get behind the wheel, the Q8 e-tron has tons of thrills hiding behind its understated looks.
This 55 variant comes with an enormous 114-kWh battery pack mated to electric motors on the front and rear axles, making this EV all-wheel drive. Combined output is up to 408 horsepower and 668 Newton-meters of torque when you hit Boost mode.
Audi Philippines claims a 0 to 100 km/h time of under 6 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h.
It’s the first figure that really gets to you when you floor the throttle – a tidal wave of torque propels you without delay, without ever raising a whisper or releasing harmful emissions into the air.
All this punch is handled with aplomb by the standard adaptive air suspension – Normal mode offers just enough firmness for hard cornering without compromising the exceedingly composed ride. There are also the powerful brakes with regenerative function, although I would have liked more firmness in the pedal.
The adjustable electric power steering is likewise light enough to handle this large EV into tight spaces. But even in Dynamic mode, it still lacks enough feel to confidently maximize the Q8 e-tron 55’s performance around corners.
Nonetheless, energy consumption is quite good for an EV this rapid – 3.8 to 4.5 kilometers/kWh in the city and 4.0 to 4.7 km/kWh on the expressway translates to around 480 kilometers of useful range in urban conditions, and up to 500 kilometers on the open road. And with Type 2 ports, the Q8 e-tron is compatible with over 130 EV charging stations nationwide.
This big Audi also comes with front, side and curtain airbags as standard, along with ISOFIX child-restraint anchors, cruise control and Audi pre-sense with lane-departure warning and forward-collision warning. I just wish adaptive cruise control weren’t optional in such a prestige car.
Silence speaks volumes
Overall, the Q8 e-tron 55 combines tasteful style and immense practicality with spectacular performance.
It redefines luxury without needing polarizing looks or bizarre online advertising – its EV drivetrain offers the visceral equivalent of relishing a cool outdoor breeze in a comfortable chair, all while producing zero tailpipe emissions and providing much lower energy costs relative to gasoline or diesel.
And for those of us who are just joining the electric revolution, it exists as something to aspire for when “drill, baby, drill” eventually turns up nothing but dirt.
Thank goodness, indeed.
