As part of the Audi E-tron’s facelift and rebranding to Q8 E-tron, the E-tron S has become the Audi SQ8 E-tron.
This 496bhp electric SUV retains its distinctive tri-motor layout (one at the front and two at the back), which allows it to do true torque vectoring. As such, it can send up to 162lb ft more torque to one wheel than the other, thus actively rotating itself through the corner.
The facelift changes mirror those seen on the regular Audi Q8 E-tron. The 106kWh battery pack boosts the WLTP range from 221 to 284 miles (295 miles if you pick the mechanically identical coupé-like Sportback bodystyle, as pictured), while energy efficiency remains at a rather lacklustre 2.2mpkWh (2.3mpkWh for the Sportback).
However, while the Q8 E-tron 55 keeps pace with rivals, the SQ8 is up against the BMW iX xDrive50, which gets 341 miles of range from the same size battery. Meanwhile, the Genesis Electrified GV70 is only slightly smaller and has a range that's just 10 miles shorter, but does it with a battery that's 29kWh smaller. To put it another way: that's 29kWh more electricity you have to put in, pay for and wait for, every time you charge the car.
