BRUSSELS — In a major makeover, the Audi E-tron is getting a new name, a new look and substantial improvements that address what was considered its major drawback when it launched in 2018 as Volkswagen Group's first modern electric vehicle: uncompetitive range.
The first salable 2023 Audi Q8 E-tron rolled off its assembly line here Wednesday, driven by Plant Manager Volker Germann and now sporting what Audi expects to be at least a 30 percent increase in range over the outgoing model's 222 miles.
The now Q8 E-tron, in both crossover and sportback versions, is expected to head to dealerships in the U.S. in mid-2023.
The Q8 E-tron's 600-kilometer maximum range will be available in the more aerodynamic sportback version with the larger 115-kilowatt-hour battery pack installed, while the squared-off crossover will have a maximum range of 582 kilometers (362 miles) with the larger pack, Audi said. Both versions will come standard with a 95-kWh battery pack, however. The European range estimates provided are under the more generous WLTP testing cycle used in Europe, Audi said.
