Rebadged Electrical SUV Has Three Motors, Greater Battery & Plush Cabin
Audi is shaking up its high-performance electrical SUV lineup. The German automaker has launched the SQ8 e-tron, a renamed model of the outgoing e-tron S. The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron is offered in a sq. again or Sportback (fastback) physique fashion and has three electrical motors to rival the Tesla Mannequin X Plaid or BMW iX.
Nevertheless, Audi has given the SQ8 e-tron a better capability battery pack to handle its predecessor’s evident Waterloo: the dismal vary numbers. For context, the outgoing e-tron S has an 86.5 kWh battery that delivers an EPA-estimated 208 miles of vary, not a superb quantity for the automobile’s sub-$90,000 base worth.
2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron: What’s New?
Powering the Audi SQ8 e-tron is a 106 kWh high-voltage battery with 23 p.c higher power capability than earlier than. The change is sufficient to enhance the EPA-estimated driving vary to 253 miles (with the usual 20-inch wheels) or 218 miles with the optionally available 22-inch rollers. Furthermore, {the electrical} structure accepts as much as 170 kW of DC quick charging when the battery runs out of juice. Each Audi SQ8 e-tron comes with two years of complimentary DC quick charging from Electrify America.
In hindsight, the improved vary numbers are nonetheless inadequate to maintain up with rivals from Tesla and BMW. Nonetheless, the up to date battery cell chemistry and packaging have yielded a close to 50:50 weight distribution to optimize the dealing with and steering.
Serving to the trigger is a forty five p.c stiffer blended metal and aluminum structure, a entrance and rear five-link impartial suspension, and air springs with digital damper management. The latter permits the driving force to lift the trip top to 3 inches (76 mm) for delicate off-road actions.
Tri-Motor Powertrain & Quattro AWD
The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron retains the tri-motor configuration of the e-tron S. The entrance has a single 210-horsepower asynchronous electrical motor. On the identical time, two electrical motors within the rear produce as much as 185 horsepower. The whole system output is 496 horsepower in increase mode. The twin rear motors present impartial torque vectoring in below 5 milliseconds, eliminating the necessity to interact braking to distribute torque between every rear wheel.
Audi claims the skin rear wheel might obtain as much as 162 lb-ft. extra torque than the within wheel when the automobile assaults a nook, serving to enhance dealing with and cornering at velocity. Moreover, the digital Quattro all-wheel drivetrain improves traction by distributing the torque to the wheels with higher grip when the system detects slippage.
The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron and its curved-roof SQ8 e-tron Sportback spinoff share distinctive styling remedies like aluminum wing mirrors, silver rocker panel accents, and aluminum trim on the entrance and rear fascias. Furthermore, the SQ8 e-tron is 1.5 inches wider than an everyday Q8 e-tron, because of extra bulbous fender flares. Behind these attractive 20-inch to 22-inch alloys are six-piston entrance brakes with crimson calipers and two-piece 15.7-inch brake rotors, whereas the rear has 13.8-inch rotors with a single-piston crimson caliper.
In the meantime, the SQ8 e-tron’s cabin options 12-way energy entrance seats, premium Valcona cowhide upholstery with diamond stitching, carbon fiber trim, four-zone automated local weather management, and a warmth pump to enhance effectivity in chilly climate. As anticipated from a contemporary EV, it has a typical array of screens like a digital instrument cluster (Audi digital cockpit), a Bang & Olufsen audio system with 3D sound, a ten.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, smartphone connectivity, navigation, and ambient lighting.
Superior Driving Aids
The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron has blind-spot warnings, lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help, ahead collision mitigation, automated excessive beams, a surround-view digital camera, and rear automated braking, to call a couple of.
2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron MSRP
The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron Sportback begin at $89,800 and $92,600, respectively. Choices can be found to increase the guarantee on any Audi automobile, together with the SQ8 e-tron. Likewise, in case you have questions on new automobile financing and the way auto loans work, this short but helpful video will level you in the appropriate course.
Alvin Reyes is an Automoblog function columnist and an skilled in sports activities and efficiency vehicles. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his youthful years and remains to be very a lot smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He additionally likes fried hen, music, and natural drugs.
Images & Supply: Audi of America.
