Highlights of the Audi 8 E-tron

HEALDSBURG, Calif. — Audi officials say they have learned a lot from the 2019 launch of the brand's first electric vehicle, the E-tron. Refashioned for 2024 as the Q8 E-tron and Q8 Sportback E-tron, the second-generation EV is available in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trims. The base price increases by $3,600 over the outgoing model, but the vehicle offers more range and Level 2 adaptive cruise control. Here are some features that stood out on the 2024 Audi Q8 E-tron previewed during a media drive here in May.

Audi's four famed rings, which have made up the brand's corporate badge for decades, have been reworked from chrome into black and white and are being introduced on the Q8 E-tron. Audi designer Andre Georgi calls the look the "new chrome," with each of the four white rings floated in a black one. "The new two-dimensional look gives our rings a significantly more modern and even more graphic makeover, although their geometry is almost identical to the former ones," said Georgi. Customers can opt to replace the white with a dark gray that looks like high-gloss black.

With a bigger battery, range improves about 30 percent to 285 miles on the Q8 E-tron and up to 300 on the Q8 Sportback E-tron. Overall curb weight increases by 11 pounds.

The Q8 E-tron model ID has been laser-etched into the B-pillar, putting it directly in the passengers' field of vision upon entering and exiting. Future Audi models will adopt the new ID.

Zero-to-60-mph time improves from 5.6 seconds to 5.4 seconds for the Q8 E-tron and from 5.6 seconds to 5.3 seconds for the Q8 Sportback E-tron.

Range is aided by an 8 percent increase in aerodynamic efficiency, mostly as a result of new front air curtains, electric grille shutters and front wheel spoilers. The drag coefficient was reduced from 0.28 to 0.27 on the Q8 E-tron and from 0.26 to 0.24 on the Q8 Sportback E-tron.

While most EVs do not come with a spare tire — saving cost and weight — Audi offers a compact tire under the rear cargo area of the Q8 E-tron.

The top trim features power door closures so there is no need to slam the door shut.