Audi confirms Q8 PHEV for Aus

AUDI Australia is now taking orders for the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Q8 60 TFSI e, due here from the fourth quarter of this year, offering customers a larger, more powerful SUV option than the recently launched Q5 55 TFSI e.

Ingolstadt’s electrification offensive is showing no signs of slowing down with Q4, Q6, Q8, and A6 E-Tron models coming onto the global market and its PHEV range is also growing, offering “best of both worlds” performance for customers.

Like the Q5 PHEV and in line with Audi Australia’s commitment to performance with its hybrid models, the Q8 selected for this market is the more powerful of two variants available globally – a decision Audi Australia says was deliberate. 

“This car is performance focused, but it's also economical as well. That was the whole strategy of going with the higher power version and that’s the same for the Q8 as well,” Audi Australia product manager Matthew Dale told GoAuto at the recent Q5 PHEV launch in Brisbane.

The Q8 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 producing 250kW/450Nm, bolstered by a 100kW/400Nm electric motor, with a combined output of 340kW/700Nm transferred to the road via Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

It makes the Q8 a potent straight-line performer, hitting triple figures in a claimed 5.4 seconds onto a top speed of 240km/h – nudging it into SQ8 territory but with eco-friendly credentials to boot. Under electric power only, the Q8 will still reach a (more than) highway-suitable 135km/h.

Audi has integrated the compact electric motor within the eight-speed automatic transmission, enabling coupling and decoupling with the petrol engine as required and fed by a battery pack beneath the rear luggage compartment. 

Upon starting, the Q8 PHEV – like the Q5 PHEV – will be in electric vehicle (EV) mode, only activating the petrol engine when the accelerator is depressed beyond a certain point.

The EV mode can be left on, which uses as much electric assistance as possible, as well as offering drivers the choice of Auto, Charge and Hold modes. 

Charge mode is aimed at charging the batteries, while Hold maintains existing charge, and Auto will self-adjust between electric and petrol power depending on speed and load. 

The Q8 PHEV has a 17.8kWh battery, which can be charged from flat-to-full in around 2.5 hours, offers up to 59km (NEDC) of all-electric driving range and Audi claims fuel use of just 2.6L/100km.

A coasting mode, also featured on the Q5 PHEV, will disengage the petrol engine in low load scenarios allowing up to 25kW of regeneration, and under braking up to 80kW of recuperative power is available.

A number of drive select modes are included covering comfort, efficiency, auto, dynamic, individual, and even an off-road mode that makes full use of the Quattro all-wheel drive system. 

“This car, much like the Q5 plug-in hybrid, is perfect for someone who wants to go into that electrification journey but might not yet be ready for a full battery-electric vehicle. So as cliche as it sounds, it’s the best of both worlds,” said Audi Australia product planning executive, Chris Kwok.

Priced from $148,375 before on-road costs the Q8 PHEV undercuts the performance-oriented SQ8 by around $20,000, but despite similar power outputs it is a full 1.3 seconds slower to 100km/h than its sportier sibling – likely due to its additional wight and being targeted at a ‘greener’ customer. 

The generous list of standard inclusions somewhat explains the hefty price tag, with out-of-the-box S-line styling including new 21-inch wheels, HD matrix LED headlights, red brake callipers, and inside it scores leather upholstery, Bang & Olufsen sound system, and Audi’s full suite of active safety technology.