• Audi Australia will soon offer a plug-in hybrid Q8, further expanding its electric offering
• Mannering: "The Q8 plug-in hybrid offers an innovative combination of performance and efficiency for the best of both worlds"
• Audi Q8 60 TFSI e priced from $148,375*, arriving Q4 2023

Zetland, 3. August 2023 – Audi Australia is continuing its electrification journey with the Q8 60 TFSI e quattro arriving in the fourth quarter of 2023. Starting from $148,375*, the SUV features an electric range of up to 59 kilometres (NEDC) and boasts an output of 340 kW and 700Nm of torque. The addition of a plug-in hybrid variant of the Q8 offers Australian drivers significant advantages including a seamless electric driving experience, easy charging management, and enhanced everyday usability.

''I am very happy to confirm that the Q8 plug-in hybrid is headed our way so soon after launching the Q5 plug-in hybrid here in Australia.'' says Jeff Mannering, Director of Audi Australia. "We are pleased to be able to offer our customers a new alternative drive for what is already a popular premium performance SUV."

"Of late, we repeatedly hear of customers in dealerships asking what electric options they have with Audi when considering their next purchase. While most Audi owners are familiar with the dynamic drive and superior finish of an Audi, they are also thinking of whether their next car will be electric. The Q8 plug-in hybrid offers an innovative combination of performance and efficiency for the best of both worlds."

Strength of two worlds: performance and efficiency packaged
The Audi Q8 TFSI e quattro combines the power of two worlds with a combustion engine, the 3.0 TFSI, outputting 340 kW and producing 700 Nm of torque, and an electric motor, with a peak output of 100 kW, integrated in the housing of the eight-speed tiptronic. Capable of a 5.4 second 0-100 km/h time and featuring an additional electric range of 59 kilometres (NEDC), this quattro vehicle has mammoth moving power.

The lithium-ion battery is installed under the luggage compartment and contains 104 prismatic cells bundled into 13 modules. Each of these cells with flexible outer skin provides an electrical capacity of 48 Ah, and the battery system has an energy capacity of 17.9 kWh.

Liquid cooling, which forms its own low-temperature circuit, is an important factor for the energy capacity and performance of the battery. If necessary, it can be connected to the coolant circuit for the air conditioning system or coupled with the second low-temperature circuit, which controls the temperature of the electric engine and power electronics. It converts the direct current from the battery into three-phase current to power the electric motor. During recuperation, it feeds direct current back to the battery.

The electric motor and the 3.0 TFSI transmit their forces to an eight-speed tiptronic that shifts quickly and comfortably. Its electric oil pump ensures the supply even when the V6 petrol engine is deactivated. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system uses a centre differential with purely mechanical regulation. During normal driving operation, it distributes 40 percent of the torque to the front axle and 60 percent to the rear; if needed, it can direct the larger share of power to the axle with better traction. Up to 85 percent can be distributed to the front axle and up to 70 percent to the rear axle.

Complementing this immense power, the Q8 60 TFSI e also features adaptive air suspension Sport as standard for the perfect balance between comfortable ride and dynamic performance.

Intelligent drive management systems: driving modes and recuperation The hybrid management of the Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro selects the optimum operating strategy for each journey automatically, although the vehicle always starts in the full electric "EV" mode. The combustion engine is activated only when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal beyond a specific level of resistance. If the driver desires electric-only power as much as possible, they can select "EV" mode in the central MMI display.

"Hybrid" mode, which is the main operating strategy of the Audi Q8 TFSI e quattro, comprises three operating modes: "Auto," "Hold," and "Charge." In "Auto" mode, the hybrid system selects the optimum drive type automatically: fully electric at low speeds, the TFSI engine at higher speeds, and often a combination of the two. Information from the immediate environment provided by the MMI is taken into account even when navigation is deactivated. The predictive operating strategy is activated when route guidance is started in the standard MMI navigation plus. Its task is to spread the battery charge over the driving route in an intelligent and efficient way. In addition, the predictive operating strategy can charge the battery in efficient engine run phases in order to be able to run on fully electric power during ineffective phases later on, such as traffic jams or city traffic. On the basis of the large amount of data it uses for this purpose, it develops a long-distance journey plan that is constantly updated using the navigation, environmental, and online traffic data.

In "Hold" mode, the operating strategy pursues a different goal: It keeps the battery's existing state of charge at the current level with minor deviations. In "Charge" mode, the aim is to charge up the battery as far as possible while driving. This makes sense when the journey ends in an urban area and the last kilometres are to be covered on purely electric power.

Additionally, Audi drive select comes as standard on the Q8 plug-in hybrid, offering six different driving profiles that the driver can select in the MMI system: comfort, efficiency, auto, dynamic, individual, and offroad to complement which hybrid mode is selected.

Audi drive select influences the setup of the drive, automatic transmission, steering, and suspension, as well as various optional systems, such as the air suspension. Depending on the setting, the interaction between the systems also changes, for example the thresholds from which both drives work together or the electric motor supplies the boost and thus the maximum torque.

Predictive efficiency assist is an important system in the Q8 with plug-in hybrid drive. When the driver takes their foot off the accelerator pedal, it is decided whether the car switches to freewheeling with deactivated TFSI 'coasting', or whether it decelerates via the electric motor and thereby recuperates energy. It can regain up to 25 kW of power just by coasting. In addition, the electric motor performs all brake applications up to 0.3 g – the vast majority in everyday driving. The hydraulic wheel brakes are activated in addition only in the case of heavier deceleration processes. The transition is virtually imperceptible; the brake pedal always provides excellent feedback and can be modulated precisely. The Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro achieves up to 80 kW of recuperation power while braking, providing immense charge back to the battery to replenish the full electric range of the vehicle.

Everyday usability: convenient charging
The new plug-in hybrid Q8 comes with a number of charging solutions for straightforward charging management. A charging cable for household and industrial power sockets comes as standard, including; a 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.

Additionally, with the myAudi app, customers can use customized services from Audi connect on their smartphone for convenient charging management and more. The myAudi app allows owners to check battery and range status, start charging processes, program the charge timer, and view the charge and consumption statistics. Another function of the myAudi app is the pre- entry climate control of the interior before commencing a journey. The standard heated front seats can also be activated using this function.

Uncompromised appointment and features as-standard
The Q8 60 TFSI e has equipment aplenty, mirroring the high-appointment of the Audi Q8 range here in Australia – the pinnacle of luxurious, performance SUVs. Available in eight different colours (metallic finishes optional), the plug-in hybrid features red brake callipers behind large 21" Audi Sport alloy wheels in 5-arm turbine design in a gloss platinum grey as standard. Optional 22" Audi Sport wheels can also be equipped in anthracite black for an even sportier finish.

Audi HD Matrix LED headlights with front and rear dynamic indicators and an innovative and unique Coming home and Leaving home lighting design are standard, as well as a black exterior styling package and S line exterior package that further enhance what is already considered an eye-catching titan. Electric rear tailgate, Sport front seats with electric controls, Valcona leather upholstery, 3-zone climate control, adjustable LED colour interior lighting, privacy glass and a panoramic sunroof also feature as standard, cementing the luxury interior appointment of the new Audi Q8 60 TFSI e headed for Australian shores.

Safety and assistance a priority
As with all models from Audi, safety is a priority and the Q8 PHEV models feature an impressive list of safety and driver assistance systems as standard equipment. In addition to eight airbags, Audi pre sense front and rear with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and pedestrian detection heads the list of safety inclusions. The long list also includes attention assist, active lane assist, lane changing warning with exit warning and rear cross traffic assist, as well as adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go including traffic jam assist and collision avoidance assist.

Adding to the everyday convenience, the inclusion of the 360 degree cameras are perfect for manoeuvring in tight areas, while the Audi parking system plus with park assist, hold assist and hill descent control are invaluable across a range of situations.

Peace-of-mind for Audi owners
Like all new vehicles delivered to Australian customers from January 1 2022, the Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro will come with a five-year warranty as well as 12-year manufacturer warranty for bodywork against corrosion perforation for new vehicles.

Audi owners also receive a complementary membership during their warranty period to Audi experience, Audi Australia's bespoke loyalty program that offers access to exclusive national events, intimate Audi Ambassador experiences, and premium partner offers.

Further information on the program can be found at https://myaudi.com.au/experience

The Q8 60 TFSI e quattro is available for order in Audi dealerships now.

Pricing*

^{(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)}

^{Editors note: The images depicted with this press release are not of an Australian-spec vehicle and have been sourced from global. Local images will be available closer to the launch date for this vehicle.}

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Australia. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.

- ENDS -

Audi Australia

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