The test: Audi SQ8 e-tron Sportback

Huh, wasn’t the Audi SQ8 the second thickest version of the Q8?

Yes, and it is still there, because the SQ8 without adding the e-tron remains in the price list. What’s up with that? Until recently, the Q8 name was reserved exclusively for the brand’s largest and most powerful SUV, the more adventurous version alongside the big Q7. The most sporty model was called the SQ8 or RS Q8. They’re still there, but Audi has decided to call the largest electric SUV we’ve known the E-Tron and the E-Tron Sportback (with sloping roofline) the Q8 e-tron from now on. And while the electric car’s top model was first called the E-tron S, with or without the addition of Sportback, Audi now calls it the SQ8 e-tron, so in the case of the concept car, it’s the SQ8 e-tron Sportback. .

Audi SQ8 e-tron Sportback with decals, because we drove it at the AutoBild Test the Best event.

Is the SQ8 e-tron Sportback as powerful as its namesake without the addition of the e-tron?

Yes, you can see it as a kind of electric counterpart to that fat SUV with a combustion engine, nowadays a gasoline engine, although you can also get an SQ8 with a fat TDI until 2020. With its power, the SQ8 e-tron can rival SQ8 petrol engine with 507 hp. Nothing changed in the power of the electric car equipped with three electric motors during the facelift and name change. One of them is for the front axle, and two work on the rear axle. In total they came out with 503 hp.

Small box At the front of the Audi SQ8 e-tron, there is one electric motor in the nose, and there are two in the rear axle.

How fast is the Audi SQ8 e-tron Sportback next?

In 4.5 seconds, it thunders from 0 to 100 km/h, although thunder may not be the right word. It growls synthetically to surprisingly high speeds on the short circuit as we test the SQ8 e-tron Sportback. Of course it is the 973 Nm of torque that makes the 2600 kg seem like less, and the first braking action shows that the brakes also work well. The air suspension and electronic stabilizers very intelligently control inclination, although you feel like a heavy piece of the car is going through the corner a little too quickly.

What do you notice about the two electric motors at the rear axle?

The laws of nature can be defied to a certain extent, but if you then lift the throttle to engage the nose a little more when going too quickly through a corner, the amount of gas after that is enough to allow the quick cornering action to continue flawlessly. The powerful 98-kilowatt electric motor that controls the outside rear wheel provides more power, and the other powerful device that powers the inside rear wheel knows it has to give less which results in torque vectoring. The power of the electric motor on the front axle is 124 kW. If all three come into full action, the boost ensures power increases to 370 kW, which is more than the sum of the three powers added together.

The engines have remained the same, so what has changed with the shift from the E-Tron S Sportback to the SQ8 e-tron Sportback?

Nothing changes in its dynamic qualities, it is mainly in the improved efficiency. Since Audi reduced the drag coefficient of the Q8 e-tron to a low value of 0.27 and even managed to reduce the drag coefficient of the Sportback to 0.24, the electric SUV should be able to squeeze more out of the amount of power, but in particular, the package The larger battery brings a lot of benefits to the set. With a 106-kWh battery and higher energy-density cells, Audi limits the range to 510 kilometers for the top version of the electric SUV. A significant gain compared to the 370 km applied to the pre-facelift model.

Sportback is more streamlined. How far does the ‘normal’ SQ8 e-tron go?

Saves 16 km. The normal-looking SUV, the SQ8 e-tron, has a range of 494 km with the same technology.

What is the consumption of the SQ8 e-tron Sportback according to factory specifications?

Average consumption is 26.4 kWh per 100 km. Then of course you don’t have to go crazy as we did during the short introduction on the Bridgestone tire test track during the European AutoBild Test the Best event organized by our German partner. The acquaintance was short and mainly provided the opportunity to experience the dynamic qualities of the SQ8 Sportback e-tron.

Under 300km of range, that’s what you get from pedaling on the track.

Surely such a thick S-branded electric car can run fast?

Unfortunately, don’t expect speeds from the SQ8 e-tron Sportback that will allow you to seriously compete with the big boys on the highway. As possible with the Tesla Model X Long Range or Plaid. It tops out at 250 and 262 km/h, respectively, and accelerates faster than the SQ8 e-tron. The driver of the Audi SQ8 e-tron passes the Q8 e-tron at full speed. It can go 10 km/h faster and is set at 210 km/h. This speed will be on display in no time at the introduction of the Bridgestone test track in Italy.

Can the SQ8 e-tron charge faster than the E-Tron S?

If you want to get through Germany quickly, it helps that you can now charge with 170kW on the fast charger. That was 150 kW. Not a groundbreaking value, especially when you look at the charging speeds Porsche and Tesla achieve.

Are there any external changes with the name change?

The appearance has also been updated. The improved aerodynamics are due in part to a changed front end with a different emblem, smoother surfaces in the grille, a wheel spoiler at the rear axle and a different wheel design. The intrusions are subtle but they take their toll, the SQ8 Sportback looks fresher than the E-Tron S Sportback it did before the name change. From August, the Sport version is available as a regular SUV and as a sports car.