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Photo of a Audi Q8 e-tron

Audi Q8 e-tron

Audi's first mass-production EV grew three-motor muscle: 496 hp in the e-tron S.123

Researched November 2, 2026 from 29 sources

At a glance

0510
4.5–6.8 s0–100 km/h
0125250
190–210 km/hTop speed
05001,000
540–973 N·mTorque
01,5003,000
2,490–2,775 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1267812

Engine
Dual asynchronous motors; e-tron S and SQ8 e-tron use three18
Layout
Electric quattro all-wheel drive128
Gearbox
Single-speed fixed-ratio drive1
Built at
Audi Brussels, Forest, Belgium; FAW-VW Changchun, China1

The story

Audi's first mass-production EV launched in 2018 to open its electric era. The same SUV was facelifted and renamed Q8 e-tron in 2022, then ended when its Brussels factory closed in February 2025.124

2018: San Francisco debut, 95 kWh underfloor20182019: e-tron 50: 71 kWh, 120 kW charging20192020: Long-term verdict: 2.4 miles/kWh · Sportback: 13 mm lower, 615 L in back · e-tron S: three motors, eight-second boost20202022: Q8 name and 600 km WLTP · 170 kW charging, sharper steering20222024: Dakar: 31 mm higher, 99 wrapped20242025: Brussels closes; Q8 e-tron ends2025 Audi e-tron quattro concept: 2015Audi e-tron Sportback concept: 2017Audi e-tron Sportback conceptAudi e-tron / Q8 e-tron: 2018–2025Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron 2014201620182020202220242026
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones141617
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2015Audi e-tron quattro concept
2017Audi e-tron Sportback concept
2018–2025Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron
2018San Francisco debut, 95 kWh underfloor
2019e-tron 50: 71 kWh, 120 kW charging
2020Long-term verdict: 2.4 miles/kWh
2020Sportback: 13 mm lower, 615 L in back
2020e-tron S: three motors, eight-second boost
2022Q8 name and 600 km WLTP
2022170 kW charging, sharper steering
2024Dakar: 31 mm higher, 99 wrapped
2025Brussels closes; Q8 e-tron ends
  1. 2018

    San Francisco debut, 95 kWh underfloor

    The e-tron debuts on September 17 as the brand's first mass-production EV, with two asynchronous motors and a 95 kWh underfloor battery.15

  2. 2019

    e-tron 50: 71 kWh, 120 kW charging

    The new variant's 308 hp and 540 Nm deliver 0–100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, with a 190 km/h limiter.6

  3. 2020

    Long-term verdict: 2.4 miles/kWh

    Long-term testing of the e-tron 55 records 2.4 miles/kWh over six months; its ride remains supple on 21-inch wheels.7

  4. 2020

    Sportback: 13 mm lower, 615 L in back

    With the regular e-tron's length and width, the new Sportback sits 13 mm lower and offers 615 L of European-measured cargo room instead of 660 L.1

  5. 2020

    e-tron S: three motors, eight-second boost

    The S and S Sportback use two rear motors for electric torque vectoring. Eight-second boost delivers 496 hp and 973 Nm, with 0–100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.38

  6. 2022

    Q8 name and 600 km WLTP

    The facelift becomes Q8 e-tron. Stacked prismatic cells bring 106 kWh usable to Q8 55 and SQ8; Q8 55 Sportback reaches 600 km WLTP.129

  7. 2022

    170 kW charging, sharper steering

    Q8 55 and SQ8 peak at 170 kW DC, with 10–80% in about 31 minutes. Retuned air suspension pairs with a steering ratio cut from 15.8:1 to 14.6:1.910

  8. 2024

    Dakar: 31 mm higher, 99 wrapped

    The edition Dakar gains 31 mm of clearance on General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tires; the optional wrapped version is limited to 99 examples.11

  9. 2025

    Brussels closes; Q8 e-tron ends

    The Brussels plant shuts on February 28, ending Q8 e-tron and Sportback production. The 2025 model year is the family's last.4

Every generation

  • Audi e-tron quattro concept
    Audi e-tron quattro concept2015
  • Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron
    Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron2018–2025

Power over the years

From 355 hp to 496 hp in 2 years.

0200400600 201820202022 hp 2018 · 355 hp · e-tron 55 quattro, normal output2018 · 402 hp · e-tron 55 quattro, boost2019 · 308 hp · e-tron 50 quattro2020 · 496 hp · e-tron S / S Sportback, 8-second boost2022 · 335 hp · Q8 50 e-tron, boost2022 · 402 hp · Q8 55 e-tron, boost2022 · 496 hp · SQ8 e-tron, boost 496 hp e-tron S / S Sportback, 8-second… 355 hp e-tron 55 quattro, normal output
12368
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2018355e-tron 55 quattro, normal output
2018402e-tron 55 quattro, boost
2019308e-tron 50 quattro
2020496e-tron S / S Sportback, 8-second boost
2022335Q8 50 e-tron, boost
2022402Q8 55 e-tron, boost
2022496SQ8 e-tron, boost

Versions

6 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • e-tron 50 quattro

    Standard

    e-tron 50 quattro

    308 hp
  • e-tron Technik / Sport / Black Edition / Vorsprung

    Standard

    e-tron Technik / Sport / Black Edition / Vorsprung

  • e-tron Premium / Premium Plus / Prestige

    Standard

    e-tron Premium / Premium Plus / Prestige

  • Special

    Q8 e-tron S line Competition / SQ8 Carbon Style

    2025

  • Special

    e-tron Chronos Edition

    2022

  • Q8 e-tron edition Dakar

    Special

    Q8 e-tron edition Dakar

    2024

    402 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Early e-tron: enclosed, platinum-gray octagonal grille rather than open mesh.5
  • Early headlights show four horizontal daytime-running-light bars along their lower edge.5
  • Original e-tron: linked taillights and a slatted rear diffuser where tailpipes would be.5
  • Q8 e-tron: look for a charging flap on the driver's-side fender.9
  • Sportback versions have a coupe-like roof that slopes toward the tail.1

Year by year

  1. 2020

    A Sportback body joined with a roofline that slopes toward the rear.4

  2. 2022

    The SUV's new Chronos Edition combined Chronos Gray paint, black 21-inch wheels and orange brake calipers.13

  3. 2023 / 2024 model year

    The Q8 e-tron facelift reshaped grille and headlights, added flat Audi rings and put model lettering on the B-pillar.2315

  4. 2024

    The Sportback Launch Edition adds dark-chrome S line trim and 22-inch wheels.15

  5. 2024 Dakar

    The Dakar special raises ride height, adds all-terrain tires and a roof rack; wrapped examples carry D-pillar serial numbers.11

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Audi Q8 e-tron
    Q8 e-tron
    Photo of a Audi Q8
    Audi Q8

    Audi Q8

    The original e-tron looks like a smaller Q8; its enclosed gray grille and slatted diffuser without tailpipes are the giveaways.15

Against its rivals

  • Jaguar I-Pace

    Q8 e-tron vs Jaguar I-Pace

    Highway efficiency

    Q8 e-tron75 MPGe
    Jaguar I-Pace64 MPGe
    13
  • Mercedes-Benz EQE350+ SUV (2023)

    Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQE350+ SUV (2023)

    Peak DC charging

    Q8 e-tron170 kW
    Mercedes-Benz EQE350+ SUV (2023)153 kW
    18

Prices

Value today $33.0K–$64.0K29

Price when newValue today
$0$25K$50K$75K$100K 201820202022202420262028 Value today: $33,000–$64,000 2019 · $74,800 · US Premium Plus base, excl. dest.2019 · $81,800 · US Prestige base2019 · $86,700 · US First Edition base 2019 · $74,800 · US base excl. destination, 2019 model year
5
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2019Launch price$74,800US base excl. destination, 2019 model year
2019Price when new$74,800US Premium Plus base, excl. dest.
2019Price when new$81,800US Prestige base
2019Price when new$86,700US First Edition base
2026Value today$33,000–$64,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 6 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “Fifth place secured two FIA titles”
    • “An all-e-tron podium in Bohemia”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 29 sources
  1. Audi Q8 e-tron - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Increased efficiency and range, sharpened design: The new Audi Q8 e-tron | audi.com audi.com
  3. Used Audi e-tron (2018-2022) buyer’s guide: dated electric SUV is still desirable | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  4. Audi Confirms the Q8 e-tron Is Dead, Says a Successor Is Coming caranddriver.com
  5. Audi e-tron | 2019MY caricos.com
  6. Audi e-tron fra 569.990 kr. | Audi Danmark audi-denmark.mynewsdesk.com
  7. Audi e-tron 55 quattro: long-term test review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  8. e-tron S & e-tron S Sportback: de elektrische kracht van ‘S’ nieuws.audi.nl
  9. More battery capacity and higher charging power: Battery | audi.com audi.com
  10. A high level of driving fun and comfort: Chassis and Steering | audi.com audi.com
  11. Audi Q8 e-tron Dakar Edition (2024) - pictures, information & specs netcarshow.com
  12. 2024 Audi SQ8 E-Tron First Drive Review: The Gym Rat Electric SUV thedrive.com
  13. 2022 Audi e-tron / e-tron Sportback Review, Pricing, and Specs caranddriver.com
  14. 2025 Audi Q8 E-Tron Gains Sporty New S Line Competition Package | Carscoops carscoops.com
  15. 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 e-tron Sportback Go Farther, Quietly caranddriver.com
  16. Audi e-tron quattro concept — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  17. Voorbode van tweede elektrische Audi onthuld nieuws.audi.nl
  18. 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron vs. 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV: Telsa Alternatives? motortrend.com
  19. Audi e-tron quattro concept - Audi Technology Portal audi-technology-portal.de
  20. Tripletta mondiale per Audi Team Autotest Motorsport | Associazione Culturale Torino-Pechino torinopechino.com
  21. ECO energy Rally Bohemia for crew Walter Kofler / Franco Gaioni on Audi e-tron / Rally Bohemia 2019 rallybohemia.cz
  22. Audi e-tron Technology Demonstrator op legendarische ‘Streif’ nieuws.audi.nl
  23. Audi teams up with Marvel Studios on "Avengers: Endgame" motorsportsnewswire.com
  24. Audi e-tron, Captain Marvel in Avengers: Endgame ad - paultan.org paultan.org
  25. Audi und Sony Pictures Entertainment elektrisieren „Spider-Man: Far From Home” - Porsche Holding newsroom porscheholding-newsroom.at
  26. This is how 10 ordinary electric cars hold their value | kvdbil.se kvd.se
  27. Transport Canada Recall - 2023686 - VOLKSWAGEN - Canada.ca recalls-rappels.canada.ca
  28. Audi e-tron used review: Price, Specs, Range & Reliability | Electrifying electrifying.com
  29. Buying a Used Audi Q8 e-tron (2023-2025): 50 vs 55, Recalls & What to Pay | EVGuide.uk evguide.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • audi.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • caranddriver.com
  • caricos.com
  • audi-denmark.mynewsdesk.com
  • nieuws.audi.nl
  • netcarshow.com
  • thedrive.com
  • carscoops.com
  • fr.wikipedia.org
  • motortrend.com
  • audi-technology-portal.de
  • torinopechino.com

Photo credits

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