The additional weight did not precisely assist the e-tron’s dealing with. It is now a automobile that feels heavy while you attempt to throw it round corners, and you’ll really feel it spinning much more on sooner twisty roads.
The e-tron is sort of vice-free, nevertheless, its sheer traction and sheer grip imply you actually must be disturbingly brutal to get it to the purpose the place issues begin to go haywire.
It is very balanced and impartial all through, so that you all the time have a good suggestion of how it is going to reply and, as you’d anticipate from one in every of these high-end EVs, there’s all the time loads of ardour on faucet. However the boring steering and emotionless approach the chassis responds to the accelerator imply it is a automobile the place you may not often, if ever, really feel like taking the merry approach residence.
The Telegraph verdict
Nonetheless, if you need an enormous, pleasant, quiet and comfy electrical SUV, you could possibly do so much worse. In fact, automobiles like this aren’t the answer to the local weather disaster – removed from it, in reality. We should not lose sight of the truth that these are large, heavy, thirsty SUVs – they’re solely powered by electrical energy as an alternative of petrol or diesel.
Simply another reason for the Q8 e-tron to not deceive. But when your coronary heart is that approach, maybe due to the favorable firm automobile tax legal responsibility, then that is nonetheless one worthy of your consideration.
It is true that so many modifications have not actually made an enormous distinction to the texture of the Q8 e-tron; as such, it might probably’t fairly match the inside panache of the BMW iX or the dealing with of the Jaguar i-Tempo. However they’ve achieved simply sufficient to maintain this automobile on the high of its class, the place it sits as a terrific all-rounder; not excellent, however nonetheless preferable.
The info
In testing: Audi Q8 e-tron 55 S-Line
Physique model: five-door SUV (additionally accessible as five-door SUV coupé)
On the market: now
how a lot £82,800 on the street (from £67,800)
How briskly? 124mph, 0-62mph in 5.6sec
How economical? 2.8mpkWh (Mixed WLTP)
Electrical powertrain: 2x AC asynchronous motors with 106kWh (accessible) battery, 170kW on-board charger, Sort 2/CCS charging socket
Energy vary: 329 miles
Most energy/torque: 402bhp/490lb ft
CO2 emissions: 0g/km (tailpipe), 51.6g/km (well-to-wheel*)
VED: £0
Guarantee: 3 years / limitless miles
Spare wheel as commonplace: no (not accessible)
The rivals
BMW iX xDrive40 M Sport
322bhp, 263 miles, £72,905 on the street