Attending to drive Audi’s quickest electric SUV—the all-wheel-drive, tri-motor 2024 SQ8 E-Tron—on sunny, Southern California highways for a couple of hours this past week was shaping as much as be a formality.
But then dark clouds moved in and the skies opened up, just as I used to be given a demanding canyon-road drive route and passed a keyfob to the SQ8.
Oh, that’s thing. My drive opportunity had suddenly turn out to be far more interesting. Audi has built its popularity, gasoline or electric, on Quattro all-wheel-drive and its surefootedness in opposed weather conditions. That soaker of a day, a greasy sheen on the road, and a puddled, sometimes-gritty winding route chosen for dry conditions altogether added as much as a terrific test of the poise, grip, and confidence that this method brings—even when the surface is slick.
The experience allows me to explain with loads more conviction the difference that having three motors versus two actually brings—apart from just quicker acceleration. Really, it’s the SQ8 E-Tron’s strength versus every other electric SUV, including other three-motor models.
But first, the sporty variant has some impressive specs. As an alternative of the two-motor system within the Q8 E-Tron, providing one motor for every axle, the 2024 Audi SQ8 E-tron packages two motors together on the rear wheels, adding 94 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque for a complete of 496 hp and 718 lb-ft. Audi notes that the SQ8 can launch from 0-60 mph in only 4.2 seconds (versus 5.1 seconds for the Q8 E-Tron), and its 130-mph top speed might be maintained in Autobahn-type high-speed driving for at the very least 12 miles across a spread of conditions.
There’s no physical connection between the 2 rear wheels, and that enables the 2 rear motors to deliver different levels of power in cornering. As much as 162 lb-ft more torque can go to the skin rear wheel than the within one, while applying the brake pads on the front inside wheel to assist cornering.
Audi SQ8 E-Tron tri-motor system
Audi SQ8: Dynamic push-pull between rear motors
Simply put, meaning all three motors are in a position to proceed providing forward propulsion, while the system helps push-pull with torque-vectoring in a way that gets you across the corner quicker, without losing composure.
That lack of interruption in forward momentum is the signature dance move of the tri-motor system. On the wet canyon roads, pushing right up against the traction limits of the tires, the SQ8’s systems reeled within the dynamics of this 6,118-pound SUV, making it feel nimble almost beyond belief. Yes, within the rain.
On a few especially tight corners, with a lot of space and throwing slightly more zeal into it, I managed to get some wiggle out of the tail while running in Dynamic mode, which taps into all 496 hp, potentially. But again, it was quickly restrained as I felt those motors do their job volleying the SQ8 back to stability.
With every stability aid turned off this may increasingly be a tail-out torchbearer, but what the entire kit together enables while barely sliding is amazing.
Why the SQ8 E-Tron’s drive systems work so well has loads to do with response time: Torque vectoring is five times more responsive with electric motors than with an internal combustion powertrain, in response to Audi.
2024 Audi SQ8 E-Tron
2024 Audi SQ8 E-Tron
2024 Audi SQ8 E-Tron
SQ8 E-Tron: Optimizes an already great package
Body control and friskier-feeling steering are also a part of the improved dynamics. Versus the E-Tron, the 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron family gets a quicker 14.6:1 steering ratio with stronger on-center response, revised damper tuning, stiffer anti-sway bars and control-arm bushings, and revised tuning of the chassis and stability control systems. A four-wheel air suspension is included within the SQ8, with longitudinal components reworked for improved dynamics. Plus the Q8 E-Tron lineup carries over the E-Tron’s very easily blended braking system.
The 2024 Q8 E-Tron model lineup also gets more range. Audi has boosted the battery capability to 114 kwh gross (106 kwh usable)—up from 95 kwh gross (about 84 kwh usable) within the previous E-Tron, bringing an EPA range improvement of about 20% throughout the lineup. The pack is similar size and even has the identical case as its predecessor, but the advance comes from higher cell-level energy density plus a shift in the inner configuration of the modules.
Audi emphasizes that as certainly one of its S models, the SQ8 is a performance-oriented vehicle but isn’t intended to be certainly one of its most extreme RS performance halo vehicles. That said, it delivers loads more performance than its S-Line models, which essentially just bring a performance look.
2024 Audi SQ8 E-Tron
The SQ8 is obtainable in SUV and Sportback body styles, with the important thing difference being the roofline. Sportback models get more of a continuous arc starting behind the front seats, while SUV versions get something closer to a standard SUV roofline. The 2 are literally quite close in usable interior space, although getting in or out of the back seats of the Sportback is a bit tougher. Big-box store shoppers may also appreciate the greater cargo height of the SUV.
The SQ8 E-Tron features a panoramic sunroof, plus the dual-pane acoustic window glass that’s optional on the Q8 E-Tron. Audi claims it’s as quiet or quieter than the A8 sedan, and it felt that method to me.
On the best way from the Q8 S E-Tron—the very limited-delivery model that briefly introduced the three-motor layout with the previous model—to the SQ8 E-Tron, Audi has improved aerodynamic efficiency by as much as 6%, aided by recent front air curtains, lively grille shutters, wheel spoilers, and underbody aerodynamics. It helps with efficiency and in addition in keeping the cabin quiet.
Audi SQ8: Spicier design details, wide-track look
The SQ8 also gets a coordinated set of spicier design details. Red-painted fender flares add 1.5 inches of body width to permit an extra 1.5 inches of track width that mix to offer this model simply enough of a difference in stance. The grille apertures are larger—yes, there’s one here—and a matte-metallic material with just the best hint of gloss is utilized in front, on the rear, and for rocker-panel accents. The Q8 E-Tron can be the primary ‘S’ vehicle from Audi that shifts to black-edged badging.
2024 Audi SQ8 E-Tron
Inside, the SQ8 E-Tron has upgraded upholstery, plus carbon-square dash trim rather than the Q8 E-Tron’s open-pore wood, and a three-spoke steering wheel (round, thanks!). The front seats are improbable, with just the best amount of thigh and side support to carry you in place for high-g cornering but to not squeeze too tightly.
Two different trim levels of the SQ8 are offered: Premium Plus, and Prestige. They begin at about $11,000 greater than the Q8 two-motor model, with the Premium Plus at $90,995 within the SUV style or $93,795 as a Sportback. 4-zone climate control, a heat pump, and pre-conditioning are all included, while LED matrix headlights, a head-up display, and soft-closing doors are a part of the Prestige package.
My tester, an SQ8 E-Tron SUV in Prestige guise, with a Magnet Gray exterior and Arras Red interior (with nicely coordinated contrasting gray stitching), added as much as $102,345 with the inclusion of the optional 22-inch five-arm titanium-finish wheels wearing sticky Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 rubber that lower its EPA range rating to 218 miles. Over nearly 70 miles, my test SQ8 E-Tron indicated I’d averaged 1.7 miles per kwh—driving quite quickly up and down grades and with no regard for efficiency, and running the defogger a number of the time. That implies a worst-case-scenario range of around 180 miles.
A dual-port charger is offered on the E-Tron, bringing an upgrade from the usual 9.6-kw onboard charger to a 19.2-kw capability—and the flexibleness to plug in for 240-volt charging on either side of the vehicle for the height charge rate. All Q8 E-Trons also include a mobile charge cable that may handle 120- or 240-volt charging.
The CCS/Combo port for fast-charging is barely on the driving force’s side, and with a better 170-kw charge rate it could actually get from 10-80% in only 31 minutes. The SQ8 E-Tron comes with two years of unlimited Electrify America charging, and with Plug & Charge functionality you’ll give you the option to plug into greater than 3,500 fast-chargers within the U.S. and never have to worry about payment details.
2024 Audi SQ8 E-Tron
Audi SQ8: Anything so quick and composed within the corners?
How does the SQ8 E-Tron measure as much as rivals? The BMW iX M60, Mercedes-Benz AMG EQE SUV, and Tesla Model X Plaid all provide more straight-line punch than the SQ8, and the Plaid also offers a tri-motor layout. But it surely’s hard to assume the latter remaining as calm and composed while being hustled along wet canyon roads quite just like the Audi.
Rolling on to drier roads—briefly as I did, by the top of my drive—the SQ8 dialed in higher, jaw-dropping cornering gs and pin-you-into-your seat acceleration without beating me up. With all of the traction and poise built into its drive and chassis systems, it’s a reminder that in the true world, no drama is the most effective drama.
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Audi covered travel and lodging expenses for Motor Authority to bring you this firsthand report.
This Article First Appeared At www.motorauthority.com
