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With the Q8 e-tron, Audi has launched the revised model of its first electrical automotive, the e-tron quattro. The check automotive Audi gave us is kind of twice as costly because the Tesla Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary, one of many best-selling electrical automobiles. However is the Audi twice nearly as good?
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The 2024 Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron parked in entrance of our home prices 115,400 euros. It’s painted in ‘Soneira Crimson Metallic’ and has a brand new 114 kWh battery. Admittedly, even with this battery and the 300 kW drive, the Q8 e-tron Sportback is on the market from 87,550 euros. However {that a} premium automotive from a German producer might be customised with every kind of (high-margin) extras when it comes to paint, rims and leather-based seats has virtually turn into a part of the enterprise mannequin. For instance, the ‘Soneria Crimson’ paint prices an additional 1,800 euros, particulars such because the purple brake callipers price 400 euros, the black exterior mirror housings 350 euros, and so forth. In different phrases, you should pay in case you don’t need the usual color.
Nevertheless, many options that prospects count on in a automotive on this value vary price additional. For instance, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors (350 euros), an routinely dimming inside mirror (175 euros), and even the seat heating for the entrance seats must be paid for (350 euros). The seat air flow prices one other 800 euros additional, the “particular person contour seats” 2,500 euros and the ‘Valcona’ leather-based 2,350 euros. The “consolation centre armrest within the entrance” prices solely 200 euros. With a couple of technical options, the gross checklist value rapidly reaches six figures.
A Tesla Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary – in case you take the drive variant with the longest vary, as with the Q8 e-tron – is on the market for as little as 57,667.50 euros earlier than subsidies. Admittedly, the tough calculation we made in the beginning with the double value solely works for the Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary with none extras. For those who add the ‘Midnight Cherry Crimson’, the black 20-inch wheels and the prolonged Autopilot to get to a comparable stage, the Tesla additionally prices 66,867.50 euros. Not half as a lot because the purple Q8 e-tron, however nonetheless considerably cheaper.
Audi has a greater vary on paper
On paper, a comparability that’s nonetheless necessary for a lot of prospects goes to the Audi: the Sportback has a WTLP vary of as much as 600 kilometres, the Tesla as much as 565 kilometres – in each circumstances, nevertheless, equipment-specific options are usually not taken into consideration, these are the values of essentially the most economical tools. However additionally it is a indisputable fact that with 114 kWh (106 kWh internet), the Audi wants a a lot bigger battery to surpass the Mannequin Y when it comes to commonplace vary. However as a result of the Tesla is greater than 700 kilograms lighter, the Lengthy Vary accelerates (once more, on paper) 0.6 seconds sooner than the 55 Q8 e-tron.
While you’re unlikely to really feel the six-tenths of a second in on a regular basis driving, after a number of thousand kilometres within the Mannequin Y and some hundred kilometres within the Q8 e-tron, we have been capable of decide that the sensible vary for each autos is roughly between 300 and 400 kilometres – relying on the driving profile and atmosphere. After all, this additionally signifies that the consumption of the Q8 e-tron is an effective deal larger – between 5 and eight kWh per 100 kilometres relying on the driving type, and typically much more on quick journeys or quick motorway levels. The vitality prices are correspondingly larger for each kilometre pushed.
Consumption was already not a robust level within the e-tron quattro. The Audi idea with asynchronous motors isn’t very environment friendly, particularly within the partial load vary. With the mannequin replace to the Q8 e-tron, the engineers have optimised the drive: The stator of the electrical motor on the rear axle now has 14 windings as a substitute of twelve. With the identical present enter, the motor generates a stronger magnetic area, guaranteeing a better motor torque. If it isn’t used, the electrical motor requires much less present to construct up torque, thus decreasing consumption and growing the vary – somewhat. However even the 2 extra windings don’t make the Audi an instance of effectivity. A consumption of lower than 20 kWh/100km (in accordance with the on-board laptop) was solely doable with decidedly restrained driving in eco mode. Nevertheless, 24-25 kWh/100km is extra the rule than the exception.
Vitality prices might solely play a minor function for autos on this class. Nonetheless, consumption is however one of many necessary elements for long-distance suitability. Vary and consumption are once more secondary in case you use the Q8 e-tron for commuting and may cost on the wallbox at house or on the corporate premises. For lengthy distances, there may be one other level to contemplate: quick charging.
Q8 e-tron falters on the charging curve
Concerning quick charging, the e-tron quattro has been recognized for its distinctive charging curve. The 95 kWh battery remains to be supplied because the Q8 50 e-tron and may very well be charged with 150 kW to simply below 90 per cent. Nevertheless, Audi has now stated goodbye to this distinctive charging curve. Though the height energy is 170 kW at round 60 per cent SoC (State of Cost), it drops continually after that. No less than that’s what a diagram of the charging curve reveals, which Audi itself printed for the premiere of the Q8 e-tron.
Nevertheless, we by no means noticed the 170 kW mark, regardless of navigation to the charging station and optimum temperatures of simply over 20 levels. It stopped at 148 kW – roughly the identical as earlier than. Furthermore, under 35 per cent, the charging curve isn’t at this stage, and it’s capped at 70 per cent SoC, the place the complete charging energy was nonetheless accessible for a very long time with the smaller battery earlier than the facelift.
In our hypothetical comparability with the Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary, there isn’t a actual winner for quick charging. Tesla is forward as much as round 35 per cent, however then the curve drops continually, whereas the Audi reaches its plateau at 148 kW. Nevertheless, because the extra environment friendly Tesla has to recharge much less vitality to achieve 80 per cent SoC, the usual charging course of from ten to 80 per cent takes round half-hour in each circumstances. Nevertheless, the Tesla has clear benefits in case you rapidly recharge from ten to 40 per cent on the final charging cease of an extended journey to achieve your vacation spot.
So, do it’s important to pay a six-figure value for the Audi to have a comparable sensible vary and charging time?
After all, the comparability isn’t fairly that easy. For instance, a superb long-distance expertise requires correct route steering and cost planning. The solutions Audi makes are fairly stable. With the battery charged at 90 per cent, Berlin and Copenhagen, for instance, might be reached from Düsseldorf with two charging stops every – within the case of the path to Berlin, solely 34 minutes of complete charging time are calculated. That’s at a wonderfully acceptable stage and corresponds roughly to the breaks that one ought to take anyway on a route of virtually 600 kilometres.
The route planning course of itself is a bit more cumbersome within the Audi as a result of the automobile first calculates a route earlier than the driving force has to verify that the vacation spot can’t be reached with the present SoC and that the system ought to routinely pick charging stops. That’s simpler with the Tesla navigation system so long as you employ Superchargers. If you wish to cost on the charging stations of different CPOs, the Tesla is extra difficult.
The comparability of software program capabilities might be continued virtually indefinitely: If you wish to discover a charging station close by, Tesla affords the higher operate. Right here you’ll be able to select between one, two or three lightning bolts (AC, DC or HPC), and the automotive shows all appropriate matches. After we looked for the closest HPC charging station within the Audi for some random assessments, it advised just one HPC charging station – in addition to an AC charging station and a DC charger from Elli with simply 20 kW. Audi didn’t present a collection of HPC charging stations.
No shock there: Audi has the higher-quality inside
One moderately easy software program characteristic the place the Tesla comes out on prime is sending a vacation spot from the smartphone to the automotive. Within the Mannequin Y, route steering to the specified vacation spot instantly prompts if you enter the automotive. Within the Audi, the tackle solely seems below “Final locations” and, in our check, typically with a delay of a number of minutes. Although the automobile had, in accordance with its show, entry to the web. Getting in and hitting the street instantly is extra nice in the long term than it’d sound at first.
A small element on the facet: Audi builders uncared for to regulate the automobile’s graphics when programming the 3D view of the automobile based mostly on the photographs from the 360-degree cameras. There, the e-tron quattro options its putting radiator grille. It doesn’t detract from the performance and isn’t supposed to be some extent towards Audi. Because of the positioning of the cameras, the Tesla doesn’t actually have a 360-degree view, not to mention 3D. Nevertheless, because the show is way bigger, the photographs displayed by the cameras are rather more detailed.
However then there are the areas the place Audi is miles forward. The standard and supplies within the Mannequin Y from Grünheide that we drove are not on the stage that Tesla as soon as held. In comparison with the Q8 e-tron, the 2 autos are worlds aside. Sure, the surcharge checklist with all its customisation choices performs a job. Tesla solely affords a selection of black or white. If, for instance, you need the plastic surfaces on the steering wheel to have a carbon look, it’s important to stick on a trim from the equipment commerce in a 60,000-euro automotive.
The Audi inside is of top quality, even when one questions the location of the black high-gloss plastic. However: there have been no noteworthy modifications inside after the mannequin replace. Options resembling video games or video streaming for the charging break didn’t make it into the Q8 e-tron.
You’re feeling the house limitations of Audi’s combustion engine platform
Whereas video games and movies might be accessed on a pill or cell phone whereas on the charger, some issues can’t be made up for. Though the Q8 e-tron is considerably bigger at 4.92 metres than the Mannequin Y, it isn’t as ethereal inside. The storage compartments are smaller, and the smartphone must be inserted vertically into the inductive charging holder within the centre console – within the Tesla, two inductive charging pads are positioned below the touchscreen. The rear seat isn’t cramped however much less roomy. The black headliner within the Audi check automotive naturally impacts the sensation of house in comparison with the Tesla glass roof. However the Q8 e-tron additionally affords much less in the way in which of boot house. The frunk is smaller than within the Tesla however is ample for the charging cables. By way of towing capability, the Q8 e-tron takes the lead with 1,800 to 1,600 kilograms.
That leaves one facet: driving consolation. Right here, the Audi is as soon as once more on a distinct stage. That applies not solely to the tuning of the air suspension (though there are small compromises right here as properly) however, above all, to the noise stage. It’s noticeably quieter within the Audi, making long-distance journey and on a regular basis journeys rather more nice. The massive Tesla glass roof is, in fact, an obstacle relating to inside acoustics.
As with the e-tron quattro, there may be little to criticise in regards to the chassis. After all, there are some conditions the place you’re feeling the kerb weight of round 2.7 tonnes, like when handing over on a moist street. All in all, the burden is hardly noticeable. Even in quick bends, the automotive steers neutrally and exactly. In “Eco” mode, nevertheless, the air suspension is lowered considerably (to optimise aerodynamics). There may be much less suspension on the “Dynamic” mode’s chassis top, and you should thus select between the very best aerodynamics and the upper suspension consolation on the motorway. Nevertheless, this can be a selection that the Mannequin Y driver with the metal suspension doesn’t have in any respect.
Conclusion
Presumably, just a few prospects will waver between a Q8 e-tron and a Mannequin Y. This quick comparability based mostly on our sensible expertise isn’t supposed as a buying information. We simply wish to present the place the variations lie: Audi remains to be far forward in traditional automotive engineering with high quality, consolation and fine-tuning, which is hardly stunning. Nevertheless, in some elements of the electrical drive and the software program, Tesla affords a product that’s at the very least equal, typically even higher – for significantly much less cash.
And digital options have gotten more and more necessary for brand spanking new prospects. On this respect, one other comparability can be fascinating when Audi launches the brand new Q6 e-tron based mostly on the PPE electrical platform. The Q6 shouldn’t solely be extra comparable with the Tesla when it comes to value but in addition addresses a number of the criticisms of the Q8 e-tron with its presumably extra environment friendly 800-volt-based drive system and the house benefits of a pure electrical platform. Coupled with the undisputedly good traditional automotive engineering, this might end in a superb automobile – if the software program is prepared.
Reporting by Sebastian Schaal, Germany