Previewed: Audi Q8 e-tron SUV Line-up – 4 Variants, Up to 481 KM Range, From RM369K*

Besides the sleek and very sporty e-tron GT sports saloon, Audi Malaysia, under the stewardship of PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM), are also now accepting orders for the recently refreshed and renamed Audi Q8 e-tron SUVs range locally.

A total of four variations – including both standard SUV and sporty Sportback body styles – are up for grabs across two main trimlines, those being the advanced 50 and an up-specced S Line 55 grades. Tentative prices, on the other hand, read between RM369,000 and RM476,000, depending on variant of course.

Dual-motor and all-wheel-drive (AWD) are present across both advanced 50 variants, the former rated at 335 HP and 664 NM in the advanced 50 grades. This also sees the SUV primed with a 95 kWh battery that promises up to 410 KM in range according to PHSAM.

On to the higher-spec S Line 55 grades, a larger 114 kWh battery pack is present instead, thus promising up to 481 KM in range too. These variants also benefit with peppier outputs of 403 HP and 664 NM.

On top of which, said battery in the S Line 55 trimlines gets paired with an upgraded 22 kW onboard charger that can attain a full charge in just 4 hours and 45 minutes as opposed to the 9 hours and 15 minutes required when using a standard 11 kW AC charging.

Key equipment in the Q8 e-tron advanced 50 include auxiliary air-conditioning, Audi pre sense front and rear, adaptive cruise control, and the Audi phone box light, amongst many others.

The sporty-bodied Q8 Sportback e-tron advanced 50, on the other hand, sees its kit list bolstered further with matrix LED headlamps, black styling package, red-painted brake calipers, not forgetting sports adaptive air suspension and sports seats.

For the S line 55 variants, these stand out better thanks to the adoption of Audi’s digital matrix LED headlamps plus virtual exterior mirrors tech that replaces traditional glass with cameras and screens. Highlights onboard include a panoramic glass sunroof, head-up display, premium Bang & Olufsen audio system, as well as power-latching doors.

The sportier-bodied Q8 Sportback e-tron S line 55 sees further additions in the form of sports seats plus, black styling package, red-painted brake calipers, as well as sports adaptive air suspension.

PHSAM didn’t specify a clear launch date for these electrified Audi SUVs just yet, but it will certainly happen this year itself. Together with the sporty e-tron GT range, the firm also reiterates that specially tailored after-sales coverage programs are being developed specifically for them.

Details of which should be available ahead of each model’s launch later this year.