Huge $14,000 price cut for 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron as German brand’s EV fightback against the Mercedes-Benz EQE and BMW iX hots up

June 13, 2024June 11, 2024 John Mahoney 10071 Views Audi, Audi Q8, Q8 e-tron, SQ8

The significantly overhauled 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron is cheaper following the introduction of a new base version of the luxury battery-electric SUV that is $14,000 more affordable than the e-tron it steps in for.

Designed to boost its attractiveness against cars like the BMW iX and the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, the refreshed Audi Q8 e-tron range now kicks off at $140,600 (plus on-roads) for the new Audi Q8 50 e-tron quattro, which replaces the old Q8 55 e-tron quattro SUV wagon.

Sadly, the arrival of the new base model isn’t all good news, as bargain hunters on the lookout for a more affordable luxury battery-electric SUV should be aware the entry-point to Q8 e-tron ownership gets the smaller 95kWh battery pack, rather than the bigger 114kWh power pack the Q8 55 e-tron quattro came with.

Power is also down a whopping 50kW, although the Q8 50 e-tron still dishes out a healthy 250kW from its dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain and musters the same 664Nm of as the Q8 55 e-tron.

If that’s too much of a compromise for power-lovers, the 55 is still available but only with the more rakish Spotback body style that costs $166,600 before on-roads.

Audi Q8 e-tron 50: The most affordable Audi EV to date

The good news is the new base Audi Q8 e-tron comes with all the kit you’d want and hope, considering its still-towering price tag.

There’s large 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive air suspension, LED headlamps, with rear dynamic indicators, an electric tailgate with gesture control, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, heated seats, a head-up display, and a full digital instrument cluster.

The 10.1-inch infotainment system comes with both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Other changes for the Q8 e-tron Sportback include the addition of the S line styling pack, larger 21-inch rims, sport leather seats, quad-zone climate control and an electric steering wheel adjustment to soak up the modest $700 price bump.

Another new edition is the triple-motor Audi SQ8 e-tron quattro wagon ($173,600) and the SQ8 e-tron Sportback ($180,600) that both arrive with a punchy 370kW and 973Nm of torque.

Replacing the old e-tron S, the SQ8 makes itself known with its S-specific front and rear bumpers, sportier grille, side sills and rear tailgate spoiler. Large red calipers, big 22-inch alloys, matrix LED lamps, S sport seats, a powerful 16-speaker premium sound system, plus a heated steering wheel.

Both the Q8-tron and faster SQ8 e-tron come with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. six years of included servicing and six years of Chargefox public charging.