Up to 462 PS in the new Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro SUV!

Up to 59 kilometers of electric range in the NEDC (47 kilometers in the WLTP cycle), sporty character and high suitability for everyday use: Audi presents the Q8 with a plug-in hybrid drive. The new model closes the last gap in the Q8 program - it brings efficiency and power together in a new way. The SUV coupé is available in two performance levels. The Q8 55 TFSI e quattro drives up with 280 kW (381 PS) system output. The Q8 60 TFSI e quattro even has 340 kW (462 PS) system output.

Audi continues electrification offensive

With the Q8 TFSI e quattro, Audi is continuing its electrification offensive: The SUV coupé is already the seventh model with a plug-in hybrid drive that has been on the market since mid-2019. Audi puts this drive technology entirely at the service of the customer: It offers him a superior electric driving experience, simple charging management and a high level of everyday usability.

The strengths from two worlds: powerful TFSI and powerful e-machine

Like every plug-in hybrid, the Audi Q8 TFSI e quattro brings together the strengths of two worlds. Its combustion engine, the 3.0 TFSI, has an output of 250 kW (340 hp) and produces 450 Nm of torque. The V6 meets the latest Euro 6 AP emissions standard. A permanently excited synchronous machine (PSM) with 100 kW peak power serves as the electric motor. The compact electric motor is integrated into the housing of the eight-speed tiptronic. There it forms the so-called hybrid module with the clutch that connects the 3.0 TFSI to the drive train. The lithium-ion battery is located under the luggage compartment floor. It contains 104 pouch cells of the latest generation, which are combined in 13 modules. Each of these cells with a flexible outer skin has a capacity of 48 Ah and the battery system has an energy content of 17,8 kWh. That is 0,5 kWh more than the battery with which the Q7 TFSI e quattro went on sale in 2019. Now the Q7 also has the latest generation battery with increased capacity, which is also more compact and around 40 kilograms lighter.

An important factor for the energy content and performance of the battery is the liquid cooling, which forms its own low temperature (LT) circuit. If necessary, it can be interconnected with the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning system or coupled to the second LT circuit, which controls the temperature of the electric machine and the power electronics. It converts the direct current from the battery into three-phase current for the electric motor. When recuperating, it feeds direct current back into the battery. The electric motor and the 3.0 TFSI send their power to an eight-speed tiptronic that shifts quickly and conveniently. Your electric oil pump ensures the supply even when the V6 petrol engine is deactivated. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive uses a purely mechanically controlled center differential. During normal driving, it distributes the torques in a 40:60 ratio between the front and rear axles, if necessary it directs the greater part of them to the axle with the better traction. Up to 85 percent can go to the front and up to 70 percent to the rear axle.

Output levels: 340 kW (462 PS) and 280 kW (381 PS)

Audi offers the SUV coupé in two output levels, which differ in terms of the boost strategy, among other things. In purely electric mode, the more powerful variant, the Q8 60 TFSI e quattro, achieves a range of up to 56 kilometers in the NEDC and up to 45 kilometers in the WLTP measurement method, which determines the tax classification of the car. The Q8 55 TFSI e quattro achieves an electric range of up to 59 kilometers in the NEDC, and up to 47 kilometers in the WLTP. Their electric machines can drive up to 135 km / h on their own. The Q8 60 TFSI e quattro has 340 kW (462 PS) system output and 700 Nm system torque. When both drives deliver their full power, it accelerates from 5,4 to 0 km / h in 100 seconds. Propulsion is electronically limited at 240 km / h. The Q8 55 TFSI e quattro delivers 280 kW (381 PS) system power and 600 Nm system torque. The sprint to country road speed is completed in 5,8 seconds, the top is also 240 km / h.

Intelligent and efficient: the hybrid management and the predictive operating strategy The hybrid management of the Audi Q8 TFSI e quattro automatically selects the optimal operating strategy for every trip. The SUV Coupé starts in purely electric "EV" mode. At low speeds, a loudspeaker in the right front wheel arch emits the legally prescribed warning sound (AVAS, Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System). The petrol engine only becomes active when the driver depresses the right pedal - the so-called active accelerator pedal - beyond a certain resistance. If he wants to drive electrically as much as possible, he can select the "EV" mode in the central MMI display.

The “Hybrid” mode, the main operating strategy of the Audi Q8 TFSI e quattro, comprises three operating modes: “Auto”, “Hold” and “Charge”. In "Auto" mode, the hybrid system automatically selects the optimal drive type - purely electric at low speeds, the TFSI engine at higher speeds and often both together. The information about the surroundings from the MMI is taken into account even when the navigation is deactivated. When route guidance starts in the standard MMI navigation plus, the predictive operating strategy (PBS) also becomes active: Its task is to intelligently and efficiently distribute the battery charge over the route. In addition, the PBS can charge the battery in efficient engine running phases - in order to be able to drive purely electrically in later, ineffective phases such as traffic jams or city traffic. From the large amount of data that it uses for this, it creates a long-distance plan that is constantly updated with the help of the navigation, environment and online traffic data.

In “Hold” mode, the operating strategy pursues a different goal - it keeps the existing charge status of the battery up to date with minor deviations. In “Charge” mode, the aim is to charge the battery as fully as possible while driving - that makes sense when the journey ends in a metropolitan area and the last few kilometers are to be covered purely electrically. With the market launch of the Q8 TFSI e quattro, the sister model Q7 TFSI e quattro also takes over this mode.

If you brake, you win: up to 80 kW of recuperation power

The predictive efficiency assistant is an important system in the Q8 with plug-in hybrid drive. When the driver takes his foot off the accelerator pedal, it decides whether the car will switch to freewheeling with TFSI ("sailing") switched off or decelerated via the electric motor and thus recuperated - it can regain up to 25 kW of power while coasting. In addition, the electric motor takes over all braking operations up to 0,3 g, i.e. the vast majority in everyday driving. The hydraulic wheel brakes are only activated when the deceleration is greater. The transition is almost imperceptible, the brake pedal always provides good feedback and remains precisely controllable. When braking, the Audi Q8 TFSI e quattro achieves up to 80 kW of recuperation power.

If the adaptive driving assistant system (option) is activated, PEA is not only activated when decelerating, but also when accelerating. If it is switched off, it provides the driver with information on when it makes sense to take his foot off the right pedal: The driver feels an impulse in the active accelerator pedal and sees displays in the head-up display (option) and in the Audi virtual cockpit ( Series).

The Q8 TFSI e quattro can be equipped with many state-of-the-art driver assistance systems. One of the most important is the adaptive driver assistant, which can relieve the driver of accelerating, decelerating and keeping in lane for a large part without taking away his responsibility. In a vehicle safety test by Europe's most important committee, the Euro NCAP consortium, the focus was on Level 2 systems: In this practical test, the Q8 received the top grade.

Up to seven driving profiles: the Audi drive select system

The Audi drive select system is also standard in the Audi Q8 TFSI e quattro. It offers up to seven driving profiles to choose from: comfort, efficiency, auto, dynamic, individual, offroad and allroad (with the adaptive air suspension sport, standard with the top version). Audi drive select accesses the characteristics of the 3.0 TFSI, the tiptronic, the air suspension (optional on the Q8 55 TFSI e quattro) and the power steering. Depending on the setting, the way in which the different chassis systems work together also changes. If, for example, the dynamic profile and the S mode of the tiptronic are activated, the electric motor gives a strong boost as soon as the driver accelerates. When the accelerator is released, the freewheel is blocked with this setting - so the drive always recuperates.

Like all plug-in hybrids from Audi, the Audi Q8 55 TFSI e quattro and the Q8 60 TFSI e quattro impress with their high level of everyday practicality. They offer generous space for five people, their luggage compartment with the level, easy-to-load loading floor already has a volume of 505 liters, with the rear seat folded down it is even 1.625 liters. Depending on the equipment, they can pull trailers weighing up to 3,5 tons (braked, on a 12 percent gradient). Your quattro drive guarantees decisive advantages in terms of traction.

With top convenience: charging at home and on the go

The new plug-in hybrid models come standard with a charging cable for household and industrial sockets. With the maximum charging power of up to 7,4 kW, an empty battery can be fully recharged in around two and a half hours. If desired, customers can purchase Volkswagen green electricity that comes from 100 percent renewable sources.

The myAudi app brings tailor-made services from Audi connect to the smartphone. They allow the battery and range status to be queried, charging processes to be started, charging timers to be programmed and the charging and consumption statistics to be viewed. The charging stations are listed both in the app and in the MMI navigation plus. Another function of the myAudi app is the pre-air conditioning of the interior prior to departure. Depending on the equipment, the steering wheel and seat heating and seat ventilation can also be activated.

In addition to the cable for the garage, the Audi Q8 TFSI e quattro also comes with a mode 3 cable for public charging stations. Audi's own charging service, the e-tron Charging Service, grants access to 150.000 AC charging points in Europe on request, a single card is sufficient.

From around 75.000 euros: advance sales start now

The new, large plug-in hybrid will go on sale in Germany and other European markets these days. The Audi Q8 55 TFSI e quattro with 280 kW (381 PS) is in the price list from 75.351,26 euros (including 16 percent VAT), with customers being able to claim a subsidy of 5.625 euros.

The Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro costs from 92.800 euros (with 16 percent VAT) and clearly shows its sporty performance. As standard, the S line exterior package sharpens its appearance with striking design details on the front, sides and rear. The black styling package contrasts with the S line exterior add-on parts in the vehicle color. Matrix LED headlights are standard, as is the adaptive air suspension sport. The 21-inch wheels are fitted with 285/45 tires, and the brake calipers are painted red. The S line sport package dips the interior in black or partly in rotor gray (on the seats). It includes sports seats with an S embossing, pedals and footrests made of stainless steel and inlays made of matt, brushed aluminum. If we get more information, there is of course an update for this report. You will be informed of this if you simply do ours Feed subscribe to. Have fun watching the pictures and stay true to us!

Photos: Audi

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Up to 462 PS in the new Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro SUV!

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