2024 Audi SQ8 E-Tron Adds a Third Electric Motor
Author:
Jeff Glucker.
Audi has slowly been evolving its e-tron family to include more members and generally be better. By that, I mean better styling, better performance, and improved efficiency and battery usage. The newest member of the e-tron family is a good one if you like fast EVs or quick SUVs in general. It’s the Audi SQ8 and can deliver as much as 718 lb-ft of torque!
What Is the Audi SQ8 e-tron?
What used to be the e-tron is now the Q8 e-tron. And that means adding the S to the name gives us a dynamically more exciting Audi machine. How does Audi go about justifying the S on the badge? By giving it a third motor!
How Fast Is the Audi SQ8 e-tron?
On the SQ8, you have a motor on the front axle and a pair of motors out back. The result is peak power figures of 496 horsepower and 718 lb-ft of torque. That’s 94 more horses and 228 more lb-ft of torque over the standard Q8 e-tron. Audi says the SQ8 will run from 0 to 60 in 4.2 seconds, a healthy jump over the Q8 e-tron by at least a full second. Another bonus with this triple-motor setup is a greater level of torque vectoring can be achieved. Up front, you have a motor that’s good for up to 157 kW. Each of the rear motors can dole out 138 kW. And the rear motors can move torque around in under five milliseconds as needed. When you want to accelerate quickly out of a corner, the SQ8 e-tron can send much more torque to the outside wheel, and if you start to hit the limits of traction, it can also slow the inner wheel to tighten your turn if needed. If you’re in a low-traction situation, the torque will go where it can be most useful for getting or keeping you moving. Torque vectoring by an electric motor is one of the best ways to deliver power, as it can be programmed to work so quickly and smartly that your vehicle is always behaving efficiently, effectively, and safely.
What Does the Audi SQ8 e-tron Look Like?
Now, if you’re buying one of these, you’ll want it to stand apart from the Q8 e-tron just a bit, right? So Audi gives the SQ8 e-tron slightly wider fenders, the requisite aluminum trim on the side mirrors, and 20-inch 5-spoke wheels as standard. However, Audi does offer a set of 22-inch titanium-finished wheels as well. And the large wheels are required since the SQ8 e-tron is fitted with massive 15.7-inch front brake rotors that are hugged by a set of 6-piston calipers.
Slide inside, and you’re greeted by 12-way power-adjustable front seats embossed with the S logo. While the Q8 e-tron gets open-pore wood trim, the SQ8 e-tron gets something called a “carbon-square structure.” That sounds cool and all, but the open-pore wood definitely looks better. I feel like carbon-fiber interior trim has maybe run its course. Are we really concerned with weight savings on an electric sports SUV weighing over 6,000 pounds? To answer my question — no, we’re clearly not.
What Is the Range of the Audi SQ8 e-tron?
Audi says the SQ8 e-tron benefits from the same battery usability gains that also landed on all members of the 2024 e-tron family. Of the gross rating on the 114-kWh battery pack, Audi allows the SQ8 e-tron to make use of 106 kWh. That’s 23% more capacity compared to the prior e-tron S.
This means the EPA estimated range for the 2024 SQ8 e-tron is 253 miles with 20-inch wheels. However, if you think you’re fancy and want the 22s, that number drops way down to 218. The range figures are listed as the same for both the standard and Sportback models.
How Much Is the 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron?
The starting price of the standard model is $89,800, while the Sportback starts at $92,600, and neither price listed includes destination, taxes, or any of the other stuff dealers might toss on top. Or those boat-anchor 22s, which you should clearly avoid. Related:
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron: Choosing the Right Trim.
