The top of the electrified food chain is where the new Audi SQ8 e-tron will sit but it remains unconfirmed for South Africa while pricing is announced for foreign markets. Should Mzansi received the plush and silent German SUV?
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In terms of power, the SQ8 Audi e-tron features three electric motors, 122 kW up front and two 97 kW units at the rear, generating a combined 364 kW and 973 N.m of torque in Sport mode. Acceleration-wise, the model manages the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4,5 seconds before reaching a capped top speed of 210 km/h.
This electric SUV features an impressive 106 kWh battery pack and supports DC charging at up to 170 kW, allowing a 10 to 80% charge in approximately 31 minutes. While range details may differ in certain markets, the overseas model offers up to 471 km of driving range for the Sportback, with WLTP-rated energy consumption at 24,4 kWh/100km.
Standard features include air suspension, Valcona leather interior, sports seats, a 12,3-inch ‘virtual cockpit’ instrument cluster, a 10,1-inch multimedia screen with wireless phone mirroring, an 8,6-inch dedicated climate touchscreen, a 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system, quad-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, 22-inch alloy wheels, and LED headlights. Optional features include the Sensory Package, which adds digital Matrix LED headlights, door entrance LED lights, soft-close doors, heated outboard rear seats, integrated sunshades for rear windows, extra leather trim on the dashboard, and the ‘air quality package.’ The e-tron can also be equipped with a 22 kW AC inverter for fast AC power.
Related: Review: Audi Q8
Safety features encompass advanced items such as auto emergency braking with vulnerable road user detection and a comprehensive 360-degree parking suite. Serving at the top of the food chain in Audi’s electric lineup, the model will go against fellow German rivals; the Mercedes-AMG EQE53 and the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport. While the models have begun being priced for foreign markets they are both still unconfirmed for South Africa. This begs the question, should the SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron Sportback be offered to the people of Mzansi?
