Audi Q8 55 E Tron Sportback Review Driver & Safety Aids Explained

A modern Audi is a marvel of human achievement, and an electric Audi is even more cutting edge. Though some may argue that EVs are not the way forward, they are wrong. Putting the dim-witted dinosaurs aside for a moment, Audi is among the carmakers who have been releasing an EV model every 5 seconds to an eager market.

The crowded EV market is awash with shiny, expensive, technologically stunning pieces of apex engineering, but most folk haven’t got a clue what is going on underneath.

The 114kwh battery is charged at a maximum rate of 170kw from a rapid charger. Unusually, Audi E-Trons (the marketing name for an electric Audi) have a charge port either side ahead of the front doors. Only the driver’s side takes fast DC charging, but either can be employed for AC charging. The latter is the kind you might use at home, or at a hotel, or pub car park.

Full specifications here at Audi

The Exterior

Q8 Sportback is one of the better-looking coupé style SUVs. The svelte silhouette conceals cameras and other sensors that monitor the Q8 in space and time, like a TARDIS but more comfortable. Parking sensors give a 360⁰ view so that finer movements and be executed with precision. Side mirrors on the test car were replaced by the $3,500 digital option, and my advice is to have standard mirrors instead. The digital display inside the front doors is utterly inadequate otherwise.

The kick-to-open tailgate operates with the key in your pocket or from the button on the fob or on the tailgate itself. There is no spare inside so if you get a flat, call assistance, the inflation kit probably won’t work.

Matrix LED headlights have been explained to death, but in short, leave oncoming vehicles in a dimmed pool of lights while keeping everything else at the brilliance of a small sun. LED lighting allows the opportunity for really cool welcome and goodbye sequences where things flash and whiz to entertain the Hoi polloi.

ABOVE: 2024 Audi Q8 55 E Tron Sportback Review (overseas model shown)

The cabin

The delicious interior is the epitome of good taste. Leather in deluxe diamond pattern is subtle, and the heated powered seats have memory, and there are 4 zones of climate control. The seatbelt covers are made of kind-to-polar-bears recycled plastic that add a touch of verisimilitude to the Green credentials.

The MMI is a haptic touch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a further touch screen below houses climate functions. The driver has a HUD (head Up Display projects driving data onto the windscreen at eye level) and a 12.3” LCD readout.

The side mirrors have been optioned out, replaced by external cameras and little screen just below the window sill inside. The driver’s side is hard to see even though there is a slight tilt toward the viewer. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Mirrors are vastly superior.

The gadgets

We’ve promised to explain some of the oft-used expressions that carmakers have.

Blind Spot Monitor

Can be passive (warning and/or steering wheel vibration) or active. The latter will gently guide the wheel back into the lane and away from unseen traffic. The driver can always override by steering firmly.

Lane Departure and Lane Centering

The former can be passive (warning and/or steering wheel vibration) or active, with steering that gently guides the wheel back into the lane. Lane centering uses the same technology to steer the car, keeping as near as possible to the centre of the lines. Some brands will follow the car in front, or simulate where the side line would be.

The system can switch off at any time, so never take your hands off the wheel.

Active Cruise Control

Known by many names, this handy system uses radar and/or cameras to monitor surroundings. It will slow the car if needed, then speed up again when traffic moves. If Stop & Go is listed as a feature, it will bring the car to a stop and may need a button press or accelerating dab to get going after 3 seconds.

AEB

Autonomous Emergency Braking uses sensors to detect objects and will brake if the driver doesn’t. The latest systems also work when reversing but may need deactivating if the driver is making fine adjustments to the parking position. Leaves can be seen as solid walls which will somewhat limit options.

Seat Belts

If we have to explain that, you’re a completely useless unit and should immediately go away.

Pre-crash

Depending on your car, the system will close the sunroof and windows, and prime the brakes for deployment. It tightens the seatbelts and readies the occupant protection for full effect. Some seatbelts have a pyrotechnic charge that fires along with the airbags so that the occupant is held tightly against the seat.

After a crash, the system unlocks the doors and phones for help.

Other worthy mentions

There are a host of other systems as well. The air conditioning filters the air, and navigation will pre-condition the battery to allow fast charging upon arriving at an Ultra-Rapid outlet.

The navigation can also be used to detect upcoming hills to change gear to effect braking or acceleration as needed. It may also slow the car on bends, but that can be annoying.

Speed warning works with speed sign recognition, but is one of the most appalling gadgets invented. The speed displayed is often wrong, and an audible chime gets old fast.

Standard Stuff:

21″ Audi Sport alloy wheels in 10-spoke rotor design, anthracite black, gloss turned
S line exterior styling
Adaptive air suspension
e-quattro – fully variable all-wheel drive system
LED headlights with rear dynamic indicators
High gloss styling package
Sport front seats in Valcona leather upholstery
Colour interior ambient lighting package
Leather steering wheel double spoke with multifunction plus and shift paddles
Electric steering wheel adjustment with memory function
Inlays in matt brushed aluminium
4-zone climate control
Seat heating for front seats
Memory function for front driver’s seat
Head-up display
Electric tailgate including gesture control
Audi virtual cockpit with 12.3″ high resolution screen
Audi connect plus; Navigation & Infotainment, Security & Assistance
Audi smartphone interface (Android Auto & wireless Apple CarPlay)
DAB+ Digital radio
Audi sound system with 10 speakers including subwoofer (180 watts)
360-degree cameras including kerb view function
Adaptive cruise control with speed limiter and traffic jam assist
Audi active lane assist with rear cross-traffic
assist and exit warning system
Intersection crossing assist
Collision avoidance assist and turn assist
Charging system 7.2kW (AC) – single phase
2nd AC charging port (passenger side)

The Drive

Audi Q8 55 E Tron Sportback is a well-mannered beastie. There is a ton of power that is unleashed in an instant. Anyone who hasn’t driven an EV should do so without delay, then maybe you’ll shut up about charging.

Audi Q8 55 E Tron Sportback feels heavy compared to her ICE sister, but nippier than all but the fire-breathing RS Q8. The latter smokes most EVs for breakfast, but having said that, the sexy Audi RS E-Tron GT is faster.

Cornering feels nipp-ish, but the heft of half a tonne of batteries is never far from your mind. Perhaps it is time we stopped trying to take every 60kph corner at 150kph, then moaning that it feels bad. TV presenters have a lot to answer for.

As a daily driver, the Audi Q8 55 E Tron Sportback looks sexy AF, goes like it is being chased by Greta Thunberg, and stops like it has run into a wall.

The only thing I could not come to terms with was the fully automated parking which goes way too close to things that can break your heart.

Conclusion

Everything about Audi Q8 55 E Tron Sportback is about impeccable styling and top-notch performance. Most of the time it will be driven calmly, allowing the ambient lighting to bathe you in a soul-cleansing glow. Should you decide to let loose, keep in mind there is a very big battery underneath.

EVs are cheaper to run but more expensive to buy. If you don’t want an EV don’t buy one, but for dog’s sake don’t whine about it because no one is listening.

2024 Audi Q8 55 E Tron Sportback

Price: $165,900