As I cover the first kilometers with the brand new Q8 Sportback e-tron, with extraordinary smoothness and refinement, a piece of information I read this week about charging points per 100 km in Europe comes to mind: Holland (64.1) , Germany (25.8), Portugal (24.9) and Spain -we are not doing well- a sad 1.6.
But this situation is not the responsibility of the manufacturers, at least not all of them, who do enough to adapt to the demanding EU standards. Apart from this reality, which deserves serious reflection by the corresponding public administrations, the truth is that the evolution of electric cars has been rapid and spectacular.
An excellent example of this evolution, the Q8 e-tron gives continuity -indeed, it replaces it- to the e-tron that appeared in 2018. Audi thus consolidates itself in the exclusive segment of electric SUVs with the Q8 e-tron and the Q8 Sportback e-tron. All are improvements compared to the previous model: optimized driving, gear refinement, better aerodynamics and charging and battery power.
It is a large, spacious SUV, with a wheelbase of 2.92 meters that allows you to enjoy great space for the legs in the rear seats. In addition, the trunk capacity is remarkable, with 528 liters of volume. And under the front hood, there is an additional 62 liters of storage space.
We have already talked about his line on this channel. But we must remember that it debuts the new corporate identity of the German brand and that it includes the four flatter and two-dimensional rings and the name of the model on the B-pillar. Likewise, the aerodynamic concept of its conception reduces resistance and increases efficiency, with new solutions such as spoilers on the underbody or a dynamic air intake to optimize cooling and aerodynamics.
All this, embodied in a body of undeniable beauty, in the form of a coupe, and with very elegant proportions. So much so that it never looks like a 4.92 meter long car.
And the first thing that stands out, once installed in a quality driving position and designed to make everything easy, is that there are no mirrors on the outside of the doors. Audi calls them “virtual mirrors”, they are optional and cost 1,620 euros. Instead of the typical and bulky casing that contains the rearview mirror of a lifetime, on the outside there are two small and slim video cameras that improve the drag coefficient and electrical autonomy.
Thus, the mirror, the rear-view mirrors, which are two screens, are inside the car, on each front door. Just above the door handle. They are large and the images they reproduce are very sharp, but it requires adaptation. At first, you have to strain your gaze to locate them.
A lot of quality in the interior, with some adjustments to the materials of the passenger compartment and the driving position of enormous precision. We also highlight the excellent visibility, with great luminosity thanks to the panoramic roof.
Two large screens star in driving, fully digital: the instrumentation screen (12.3 inches), behind the wheel and which can be configured to suit the driver. And the central screen with all the functions of connectivity, navigation or energy management. Of course, with wireless Apple CarPlay.
We also find another touch screen just below the center console for the air conditioning, with haptic buttons. And all the infotainment management, through the menus, is really fast and agile, thanks to a new processor.
Smooth and easy to ride, the agility of a big, heavy package is surprising. It rotates with great precision and always shows a solvent footprint. And there are no annoying body rolls. The batteries, in the lower part of the car, maintain a low center of gravity that helps a lot to always maintain a good dynamic attitude.
Special mention for the standard pneumatic suspension, which regulates the height of the bodywork and takes care of the comfort of all the occupants. With more than 2.5 tons and if we carry some luggage and the family, the Q8 Sportback e-tron moves, always, with agility and a pleasant dynamism.
It mounts two electric motors, one on each axle with quattro drive, with a total power of 408 hp and a maximum torque of 664 Nm, a very high figure that provides sports car acceleration: 5.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h . And with a maximum speed limited to 200 km/h. More than enough.
Certainly exciting to drive, it has a very balanced weight distribution. And stability is guaranteed, as we have said, by air suspension, progressive steering and chassis tuning. The driver has the Audi drive select that allows you to choose between the following driving profiles: offroad, allroad, efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic and individual. In this same order. And the car changes its behavior depending on the chosen mode.
On the other hand, from the cams behind the steering wheel we can adjust the level of electricity recovery and retention at various levels. It is also possible to choose an automatic recovery mode that regulates the deceleration in relation to the vehicles in front and the characteristics of the road.
Regarding driving aids, it is worth mentioning the predictive efficiency assistant. It uses data from the navigation system and the front camera and works with the active cruise control to maintain the selected speed or reduce it when we come to a curve or a roundabout.
It works really well as an aid, and it does so smoothly and without suddenness, although in general the car always adapts to the legal speed, causing us to drive slower than other users at times.
The Sportback e-tron 55's battery has a usable capacity of 106 kWh, which is a lot. The official approval says that the autonomy is 595 km, which is also a lot. But the reality, as is often the case with electric vehicles, is different. In any case, the 400 km of real autonomy are feasible, a distance that allows family tours with enough peace of mind.
With a domestic Wallbox, one of the usual 11 kW ones, you can charge the battery in 6.5 hours. And if we are lucky enough to have access to a fast 170 kW tap, we could recover 80% of the battery in about 30 minutes.
If we say that the Q8 Sportback e-tron, with the S line finish in this case, is expensive, we discover nothing. But it is necessary to explain the level of detail and equipment that it incorporates to get an idea of what it means to enter the Audi universe of quality and technology.
For example, all these elements are standard: adaptive air suspension, progressive steering, occupied seat detection system or Audi Pre sense that prepares the car for an impact.
Among the optional equipment, elements such as the acoustic insulation of the side windows draw attention. That is, simply, curling the loop in a car that is already excellently soundproofed and that transmits a great feeling of refinement at all times.
And the Matrix Led headlights are integrated into the Comfort package for a price of 5,980 euros, including the panoramic roof, comfort key, Audi phone box, Tour package, second AC charging socket (on the passenger side), singleframe light ( the illuminated front grille), heated seats, Audi Connect Key, control keys in glass optics with optical feedback, sliding sun visors or stationary independent air conditioning.
