I finally met the Audi Q8 e-tron. I drove the Audi Q8 e-tron from Cheongdam-dong in Gangnam, Seoul, to Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province, a distance of 87 km on the 18th.
The Audi Q8 e-tron is the successor to the e-tron, which was launched in Korea in 2020, and this is its facelift model released after four years. During those four years, a smaller SUV called the Q4 e-tron entered the domestic market in 2022. The mid-size model Q6 e-tron, which was revealed at Auto China, is also expected to land in the domestic market next year. Four years ago, the struggling e-tron was given the “Q8” prefix as it welcomed its younger siblings, the Q4 and Q6.
Production started at the Brussels factory in Germany in January last year, but it has only recently been launched in Korea. The joy of its arrival is all the greater due to the delay.
Its newly designed hexagonal single frame offers a gently rounded, non-intimidating appearance. The four rings symbolizing Audi, placed above the single frame, are designed to be three-dimensional, providing a unique visual pleasure. The single-piece rear lamps have become an iconic design for Audi, allowing it to be instantly recognizable even in pitch darkness without a single streetlight.
Measuring 4,915 x 1,935 x 1,630 mm, it has a turning radius of 2.4 turns. The steering response is significantly light. The roof line curves like a bow from the A-pillar to the C-pillar. It boasts a sporty presence akin to a sports car. With a 2,928 mm wheelbase, there is ample room in front of the knees without question. There’s enough headspace for a fist with a palm lying flat above me. The center tunnel is at palm height. Although it’s a sportback model with a lower roof line than the regular model, sitting in the middle of the second row still provides enough headroom for a fist.
In the center of the vehicle’s interior, the center fascia features a 10.1-inch top display and an 8.6-inch bottom display. Both displays are haptic feedback touch screens. The 10.1-inch upper display allows you to check the vehicle’s driving information, such as navigation settings, while the lower display is dedicated to the climate control system for regulating the temperature inside the vehicle.
The Q8 e-tron is equipped with a large 114 kWh lithium-ion battery. According to the environmental certification standards of the Korean Ministry of Environment, it can travel up to 351 km. There are motors mounted at both the front and rear, boasting a combined power output of 400 horsepower and a maximum torque of 67.71 kg.m. Additionally, with motors at both ends, it features Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system.
Driving through the city. I started in comfort mode. Only the fine vibrations from the road were felt through my seat. At the moment of stopping, I couldn’t hear the noise from the passing vehicles nearby. In the midst of the bustling city’s forest of buildings, I felt my own tranquility. At 100 km/h, all I felt was the subtle vibrations of the road. Wind noise and road noise were hardly perceptible.
I switched to dynamic mode. It moved quietly and swiftly, like a predator chasing its prey. The previously quiet wind began to stir, tickling my ears.
The reason you can drive without being bothered by surrounding noise is due to the wheel spoilers mounted underneath the vehicle, which diffuse air flow, and the self-sealing system that automatically closes the radiator at the front grill, optimizing airflow at the front of the vehicle to prevent unnecessary loss. As a result, you can drive freely, unhindered by outside noise.
The Q8 e-tron features a driving assistance system. The cruise control lever is mounted below the turn signal. Coming from a background of using steering wheel buttons, it feels a bit strange at first but you quickly get used to it.
The adaptive cruise control helps reduce driver fatigue in situations of extreme congestion in urban areas and long-distance driving where concentration tends to wane. It gradually accelerates with the flow of traffic and gives way to cars that are trying to merge in.
Switching to off-road mode and pressing the button to raise the chassis increases the vehicle’s height by up to 76mm compared to on-road driving. In off-road mode, the hill descent control function automatically engages, allowing the Q8 e-tron to descend steep slopes at a speed of no more than 10 km/h. At a gradient of 30 degrees, the Q8 e-tron glides through gracefully without slipping. The air suspension of the Q8 e-tron provides comfort rather than discomfort as it bounds over the uneven terrain.
In off-road mode, the surround view monitor feature becomes very useful. The infrared sensors around the vehicle alert you to narrow paths. The surround view of the Q8 e-tron helps check surrounding obstacles, preparing you for potential safety incidents.
The test car was the Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron quattro premium, priced at 135.6 million won.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr
