The SQ8 Sportback has a brand-new battery with an enlarged 106-kWh capability (114 kWh gross). Totally different chemistry ensures a better power density, permitting Audi to suit a battery with an enlarged capability in the identical area taken up by the earlier battery, which was 86.5 kWh (95 kWh gross). It may be charged at a price of as much as 170 kW (up from a earlier most of 150 kW), which suggests it takes solely 31 minutes to get it from 10% to 80%. The onboard 11-kW AC charger or non-compulsory 22-kW charger would require in a single day charging to high up the battery, with the 11-kW choice taking greater than ten hours to recharge the battery from completely empty to 100%.
The brand new battery addresses the reasonably poor vary of 212 miles that the earlier e-tron S may handle. No EPA-rated figures can be found but, however the SQ8 Sportback e-tron is claimed to be good for 318 miles on the European WLTP take a look at cycle. Translating this to EPA figures is not all the time simple, however an EPA vary of round 275-280 miles is feasible. It is a very wholesome 30% enhance – precisely what Audi claims. Reaching a 30% vary enchancment from a 23% improve in battery capability can also be all the way down to different refinements such because the physique’s decrease drag and a extra environment friendly rear electrical motor that now has extra windings, so it requires much less present to provide the identical output, saving valuable electrons. Vary is now nearly inside shouting distance of the iX’s 324 miles and whereas it is certainly not class-leading, it is an enormous enchancment.
When EPA rankings are printed, Audi will even be hoping for an enchancment in effectivity. The e-tron S Sportback returned 73/78/75 MPGe metropolis/freeway/mixed, whereas the BMW iX xDrive50 manages 86/87/86 MPGe.
