Hybrid Q8 now available in Australia

Following the Australian launch of the Q5 55 TFSI e quattro last year, Audi Australia has added another plug-in hybrid model to its ranks with the arrival of the Q8 60 TFSI e quattro. The addition of a hybrid Q8 model gives customers unprecedented choice where the brand’s most luxurious SUV model range is concerned, with both petrol and diesel solutions already available as well as the newly-released all-electric Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron models. Customers looking for high-performance variants are also extremely well looked after with the availability of both the SQ8 TFSI and the RS Q8 models.

Priced from $148,375* the Q8 60 TFSI e quattro strikes a perfect balance between performance, all-electric capability and the versatility that comes with hybrid drive. With its 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 340kW of power and a massive 700Nm of torque it lacks for nothing in terms of performance, yet the addition of an electric motor delivering a further 100kW also gives the Q8 60 TFSI e an all-electric range of up to 59 kilometresº – effectively the best of both worlds when it comes to drivetrains.

These two powerplants operate seamlessly together for maximum efficiency while still delivering on Audi’s performance pedigree – 0 to 100km/h in just 5.4 seconds. The hybrid-drive system allows the driver to switch between all-electric or internal combustion drive as well giving the option to use the 3.0-litre engine to charge the battery while on the go, ensuring a full state of charge for when you arrive at your next city destination when all-electric drive is desirable.

The battery is a lithium-ion unit with a capacity of 17.9 kWh is stored beneath the vehicle’s luggage area. It comes with charging cables for home and industrial applications including the 240 Volt 3 pin Australian Standard plug, a 230 Volt 32 Amp CEE Industrial plug, a Type 2 charging cable for public charging, and a complimentary wall bracket for mounting of the charger at home. 

In addition, the Q8 hybrid recuperates energy on the go whether it be through ‘coasting’ or through deceleration using the electric motor, which performs all brake applications up to 0.3 g which is the majority of day-to-day driving.

While the vehicle always starts in full EV mode, there are three operating modes for the driver to choose from – Auto, Hold and Charge – allowing for the optimal drive for any given situation. The selection process can be left to the hybrid operating system to initiate or can be manually selected. The ‘Hold’ mode maintains the battery’s level of charge, while the ‘Charge’ mode, as the name suggests, charges the battery while the vehicle is on the move – perfect on longer journeys. Of course if the driver decides to use electric-only power as much as possible, they can select EV mode, with the petrol engine only kicking in when they depress the accelerator beyond a certain point or when the electric range has been reached.

The Q8 Hybrid also features Audi drive select with six distinct driving profiles which can be selected using the MMI system. Made up of comfort, efficiency, auto, dynamic, individual, and offroad, these also alter vehicle systems like suspension and transmission add even greater flexibility to tailoring the vehicle’s drive characteristics to suit driver and conditions.

Of course as member of the Q8 range the new hybrid model boasts the highest levels of luxury and appointment associated with the brand’s most luxurious SUV models. With its black exterior styling package and S line exterior package the Q8 hybrid has undeniable presence to go with its performance, its HD Matrix LED headlights with front and rear dynamic indicators, as well as the unique arriving and leaving home light sequences not only adding to the visual package but providing the state–of-the-art in automotive lighting.

The Q8 hybrid rides on 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels in a five-arm turbine design finished in platinum grey as standard which perfectly showoff the huge brake calibers in red. Customers can also able to add the optional 22-inch Audi Sport rims finished in anthracite black.

The interior too is perfectly in keeping with the other members of the Q8 range with the highest levels of finish keeping the brand’s reputation for exceptional interiors well and truly intact.

Electronically-controlled sport front seats upholstered in Valcona leather, three-zone climate control, adjustable LED colour interior lighting, privacy glass and a panoramic sunroof are just some of the standard features in this luxurious addition to the range.

This latest Q8 model also arrives with a full complement of safety and driver assistance systems which include Audi pre sense front and rear with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go including traffic jam assist and collision avoidance assist, active lane assist, lane changing warning with exit warning and rear cross traffic assist. It also features 360 degree cameras and Audi parking system plus with park assist to aid in manoeuvring in tight spots, while the addition of features such as hold assist and hill descent control add even greater utility.

The Q8 60 TFSI e quattro comes with with a five-year warranty as well as 12-year manufacturer warranty for bodywork against corrosion perforation. Audi owners also receive a complementary membership during their warranty period to the brand’s bespoke loyalty program, Audi experience. The Q8 60 TFSI e quattro is available from Audi dealerships now, or get more information from Audi Australia.

*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges).

ºUsing the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle).