Audi e-tron Now Gains The ‘Q8’ Moniker With Facelift

Published November 9, 2022
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3 min read

Apart from the addition of the Q8 moniker to its name, the e-tron also gets minor styling updates and a boost to its specifications

Audi e-tron facelift to be called Q8 e-tron.
Available either as a conventional SUV or a Sportback (SUV coupe).
Most styling updates are focused on the front end.
No major changes made to the EV’s interior.
Specification sees a major boost with an improvement to claimed range.
Expected to be launched in India in 2023.

This is the Audi e-tron facelift, which the German carmaker officially calls the Q8 e-tron. You see, Audi was planning to use the Q8 moniker for the next-generation e-tron, but it has been fast-forwarded and introduced with this facelift. Nevertheless, the Q8 is the flagship in Audi’s SUV lineup and introducing the moniker in the all-electric avatar makes sense.

As part of its midlife update, Audi has given the electric SUV a mild cosmetic refresh. However, the main change is in the powertrain department, which we’ll be talking about a bit later in this report.

Starting with the design, the Q8 e-tron gets an updated grille, which now extends beneath the headlamps à la the ICE-powered Q8. It also gets a DRL connecting both headlamps, while the triangular louvres on the bumper dial up the aggression. In contrast, the side and rear profiles seem majorly unchanged, save for the addition of the Audi logo on the B-pillar.

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Despite the minor changes to its design, the Q8 e-tron is much slippier than before. The standard model sees an improvement in its drag coefficient (Cd) value from 0.28 to 0.27, while the Sportback sees it drop from 0.26 to 0.24. This is thanks to the wheel spoilers underneath the body to improve airflow, while the openings on the grille shut when cooling is not required.

Step inside the Q8 e-tron and you’re treated to a familiar dashboard layout that’s bombarded with screens. Looks modern and posh, but lack of physical controls for most functions means there will definitely be some getting used to while using the centre screens on the move. It’s also a sustainable cabin with many bits built out of recycled materials.

Now to the main change: the powertrains. All three variants - 50, 55 and S - see a bump in specifications when compared to the outgoing model. The base-spec 50 sees the biggest increment. So to make life easier for you readers, we have compiled all the specifications in a table below:

Parameters	e-tron 50	e-tron 55	e-tron S
Motors and Drivetrain	Dual motor, all-wheel drive	Dual motor, all-wheel drive	Triple motor, all-wheel drive
Power (PS)	339PS* (Up from 312PS)	408PS*	503PS*
Torque (Nm)	664Nm (Up from 540Nm)	664Nm	973Nm
Net Battery Capacity	89kWh (Up from 71kWh)	106kWh (Up from 95kWh)	106kWh (Up from 95kWh)
WLTP-claimed range	Up to 509km (Up from 379km)	Up to 600km (Up from 484km)	Up to 513km (Up from 363km)

*In boost mode

Since the current e-tron is brought to India as a fully imported model, we suspect the facelifted model will make it to India once deliveries begin abroad in 2023. Expect a minor bump in prices over the current model, which is priced from Rs 1.02 crore (ex-showroom). It will lock horns with the BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, and the upcoming Volvo EX90.