When I say just about perfect, the all-new Audi Q8 e-tron 2023 gave me a very hard time trying to find almost anything, which can be a major deal breaker for me. But I'm not surprised about it, because, in my view, Audi never disappoints. As we all know, the first car in Audi's EV segment was named the e-tron, and with additions of more models coming in under its banner lineup, the 2023 e-tron comes with multiple upgrades and transformations, in addition to the e-tron lineup fitting towards the conventional naming with a Q8 in its label.
Ever since I drove an Audi for the first time a few years back, I connected it with luxury, comfort and power no matter which car I drove or sat in from the lineup. When I got the keys to the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback, I was really excited to try my hands on it and find out whether it continues to carry those qualities or not. There are two options: The Sportback & the SUV; interestingly, both options come in two variants- 50 and 55 with 95kWh and 114kWh batteries, respectively, which can be considered as a major, major upgrade from the outgoing e-tron.
Verdict
Comparing it with its direct competition, the BMW iX, the Audi Q8 e-tron is a no-nonsense car; it is a full package with hardly any negative points. The iX surely does a better job at interiors, but the double range and sophisticated looks of the Q8 e-tron are more appealing to me. It won't be a bad decision to take one step towards sustainability and pure luxury if you have just the right budget for the Audi Q8 e-tron 2023.
A 114 kWh battery with Dual electric motors producing 408hp and 664 Nm of torque, when I sat in the driver's seat, I noticed how silent the car really was. One can't even figure out whether the car is on or not, which is a really strong point for an EV. I went straight on to test out the initial power punch, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. But in a very different way.
Usually, in most high-end EVs, the power delivery is so quick and strong that it jerks your neck backwards due to the G-force, and after a while, it loses pace, but the Audi Q8 e-tron 55 Sportback kept up with the pace, and even though its punch is strong it does not really make you feel that instant pressure which I really like as this is a luxurious car. It does an acceleration of 0-100kmph in 5.6 seconds, fully impressing me, keeping in mind its weight. It has a claimed range of 600 km, making it a strong candidate for customers.
While driving over the speed breakers or potholes, I hardly felt any movement in the car; yes not denying that it's extremely smooth, but for sure very close to it, and you can glide through the air because the car comes with adaptive air suspension. With an electric motor on each axle, The all-wheel-drive Quattro works really well on all terrains and adjusts the delivery of power on each wheel, giving smooth stability and grip. Otherwise, the handling is smooth, and the steering does not have unnecessary play in it after its upgrades. The weight distribution and handling is precise and works well, especially when I go faster and also makes overtaking or driving on ghats and mountains much easier. Adding to that, the cruise control with a limited speed restrictor is a good touch to the car. There are various drive modes which help in different scenarios, from long-distance driving to city drives to driving at high speeds. The ride height adjustment feature is a boon for Indian roads as well as when I want to go for some off-roading or long drives.
With the upgrade in the battery range and power, the new 50 variant of both the Sportback and SUV carries the claimed range of 505 km and 491 km, respectively. For the 55 variant, the range of the SUV is 582 km and 600 km for Sportback. Fast charging at high charging stations comes around 31 mins for 10% to 80%.
When I stepped inside the car, at first, the interiors were not changed much from the previous e-tron, a bummer. But no complaints, though; it may not have gone through changes, but it still feels luxurious. One can right away feel it's an Audi from the looks of it. The multi-functional steering wheel is wrapped in high-end leather, and the feel of it is exceptionally well, it comes with paddle shifters. There are two touch screen panels: the 10-inch infotainment HVAC screen comes with haptic responses, and the other screen for the climate control. The 12-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus is always a good addition to the car. The 360 camera view comes with great quality resolution. The overall aesthetic of the interior is subtle and not in the face but classy. Basically, it is something which we would want for our day-to-day cars.
The seats are extremely comfortable, something which I always expect from Audi. They come with seat ventilation and a heater for the front seats; Massage feature is optional. The centre console has a good amount of storage with cup holders. The gear selector is quite interesting and easy to move. The rear seats have an armrest big enough for two people to rest their hands, it also has inbuilt cup holders which slide out effortlessly, and there is a storage space for our phones. On the windows, there are blinds, a nice touch. But had they been automatic, it would have been a good addition to the car. There is a small touchscreen panel for AC vents on both sides. Right below that, we have two C-type charging points. The large Panoramic sunroof makes the cabin feel more roomier. The car comes with 16 Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D sound system. However, one thing that confused me was the windows. They do not go down fully and take up half of the space while open. In terms of interiors, the BMW IX does a slightly better job.
Storage space is clearly a winner here for me. Be it on the front seat or the back , there is enough legroom and headroom space for me, even in the Sportback with the sloping roofline. The boot space for the Sportback is 528 litres which are sufficient, and for the SUV, it is 569 litres. Although the frunk space has been increased this time, it can only possibly store the charger.
From the looks of it, the car just came fresh out of the oven with a new makeover but still holding onto its sporty yet somehow fierce character. Starting with the very avant-garde 2D Audi logo, which will soon appear on all cars in the range. Right on top of the logo is a single frame projection light which illuminates and enhances the logo, which is something I really liked. Right below the logo is the inverted grill, half open to airflow; now, if you take a closer look, you will find the e-tron logo right under the number plate on the front and rear as well.
Going onto the side, it has decent size air vents complementing the aerodynamic silhouette of the car. The sharp, edgy Digital Matrix LED headlamps give the car a very posh and powerful look, adapting to all driving conditions and amplifying visibility. The character lines on the hood make the overall proportions of the car have a typical Audi appearance.
The car equips 20-inch alloys, and the most attractive part for me is the brake callipers which come in red colour adding that pop of colour to the entire aesthetic of the car. There are charging ports on both sides of the car, and with just one click of a button, they open seamlessly. The rearview mirrors come in an edgy eye shape in India; if you were somewhere in Europe, you would have a camera feed right inside the car on the doors as your rearview mirrors. The contoured lines flow towards the rear, and in the Sportback, we have a coupe-style roofline, while the SUV has a more practical and spacious rear. The rear end of the car is the same in both options in terms of diffusers. Audi has gone with a subtle and minimalist approach with a single tail lamp stretching from one end to the other. It also has the Audi and Q8 badging.
