Audi presents the new E-Tron

With its E-Tron series, Audi is one of the most successful German carmakers on the global market when it comes to electric mobility. Meanwhile, however, the international competition is outpacing Audi and Co. German carmakers are currently unable to keep up, especially when it comes to range. This is now set to change, at least at Audi. After all, the long-established Ingolstadt company has once again done a lot of fine-tuning on its E-Tron. Among other things, the result has been an increase in range of up to 44 percent.

Audi catches up again with E-Tron

The intra-German competition in building powerful and enduring electric cars is raging as rarely before. In the process, it is one discipline in particular that companies are repeatedly targeting. The range. The Audi Q8 E-Tron is designed to make up for the shortfall Audi has suffered in terms of range in recent months. After all, BMW and Mercedes were able to show much better figures with models such as the recently presented Mercedes EQE SUV. This is now to come to an end. With the help of larger batteries and higher efficiency, the Audi Q8 E-tron should be able to offer between 32 and 44 percent more range. While Audi has recently had to take the short end of the stick when it comes to range, the other figures are quite respectable.

This is especially true for the sales figures. For example, the company has now sold just under 150,000 vehicles in its all-electric series. When you consider that Audi only presented its E-Tron to the global public for the first time in San Francisco in 2018, that is quite presentable. Therefore, Audi does not want to change the basic formula. Thus, two different types in the form of SUV and Sportback are still to be available. Each body style then offers three different engine versions in turn. So its really big revolutions like the concept car A6 Avant E-Tron presented in the spring are likely to be a while coming.

Electric motor in base model gets 20 kW more power

Already in the base models of the Audi Q8 E-Tron and Audi Q8 Sportback E-Tron should have done something. Q8 50 E-Tron and Sportback E-Tron respectively offer a maximum output of 250 kW. This makes them 20 kW more powerful than their predecessors. Torque of 664 Nm and acceleration from 0 to 100 in just 6 seconds are the result. In terms of battery capacity, there is a total of 89 kWh, which corresponds to the battery size of the previous “big model” of the E-Tron range. Thus, the base version should already be able to travel 505 km (Sportback) or 491 km (SUV). Compared with the previous entry-level model, the range thus increases significantly. This is not only to be the case in the base models. The more powerful versions also aim to score with an improved battery. For example, the mid-range versions in the form of Audi Q8 55 E-Tron or Sportback E-Tron offer 300 kW of maximum power.

That cuts acceleration from 0 to 100 to 5.6 seconds. Much more remarkable is the range of 582 km for the SUV and 600 km for the Sportback. The 106 kWh battery ensures this. If you want to drive faster than 200 km/h, you have to go for the top-of-the-range equipment. While the Q8 50 and 55 are limited to 200 km/h, the top versions can go up to 210 km/h. The other specifications also read well. The other data also reads well. In addition to 370 kW of maximum power, the three engines also offer 973 Nm of torque. This ensures acceleration from 0 to 100 within 4.5 seconds. However, the increased power results in a slight loss of range. At 494 km for the SUV and 513 km for the Sportback, this is roughly the same as that of the base model.

Battery has been comprehensively revised

The most significant innovations certainly concern the battery. Audi has not only focused on the mere enlargement of the same. On top of that, the Ingolstadt manufacturers want to have relied on a new cell chemistry. A lot of cobalt is said to have been saved in the new batteries. This should not only ensure greater energy efficiency. On top of that, the reduction of cobalt in battery production is less harmful to the environment. The chemical element is not only ecologically questionable, but is also partly mined under inhumane conditions. Consequently, the gradual phasing out of cobalt in batteries is right and important. Due to the changes in composition, the battery is now said to have become 20 kg heavier, weighing 720 kg.

The Audi E-Tron also takes a step close to the front in terms of charging power. For example, charging power is said to have increased by 20 kW to 170 kW in the E-Tron 55. Those charging at this power are said to be able to charge from 10 to 80 percent within just under half an hour. The Plug and Charge feature, which Group brother Skoda also gave to its Enyaq in August, is to be standard in the Audi E-Tron. Here, all you have to do is plug the charging plug into the appropriate port and the charging process starts automatically.

E-Tron to become more aerodynamic

If one wanted to assign an Achilles heel to the previous models of the E-Tron series, it was certainly the aerodynamics. This is now set to change, which should also be reflected in efficiency. Audi promises that the cw value of the vehicles should have dropped from 0.26 to 0.24 (Sportback) or from 0.28 to 0.27 (SUV). Among other things, this is made possible by new wheel spoilers designed to prevent air turbulence in the wheel area.

Audi has also added spoilers at the front and rear. This also ensures that the new vehicles in the E-Tron series look beefier. But that’s it for the visual differences. The new versions are also just one centimeter longer and only one millimeter wider. The trunk holds 569 liters (SUV) and 528 liters (Sportback). A 62-liter frunk is available under the hood for handbags and other small items.

Prelease and availability

If Audi keeps its promises about the upcoming models in the E-Tron lineup, we’ll be in for an attractive addition to the German electric car market. The Ingolstadt-based company would like to offer its new E-Tron for sale as early as November 2022. However, it will not be delivered until spring of next year. Those who like the improvements compared to the previous E-Tron series will have to dig deeper into their pockets for the upgrade.

For example, the carmaker wants about 5,000 euros more for its Audi Q8 E-Tron 50 with a starting price of 74,400 euros than for the old model. There are also price increases for the more powerful models. The Q8 55 E-Tron is to be available from 85,300 euros and the sports version from 95,800 euros. However, the quality of the standard equipment is also to increase in return. More information about the upcoming Audi E-Tron models can be found on the official website.