Audi Q8 e-tron: At RM384k, is this the best value premium electric SUV in Malaysia?

Last Friday saw the launch of three new Audi electric vehicles, including the Q8 e-tron and the sleeker Q8 Sportback e-tron SUVs. These are interesting vehicles, as they represent excellent value for money from a company not traditionally known for aggressive pricing in Malaysia.

As a refresher models are available in advanced 50 quattro and S line 55 quattro and come with a rather basic two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty (five-year coverage and three years of maintenance costs an additional RM13,000), an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty and five years of complimentary roadside assistance. Prices are as follows:

• Audi Q8 advanced 50 e-tron quattro – RM383,990
• Audi Q8 S line 55 e-tron quattro – RM474,990
• Audi Q8 Sportback advanced 50 e-tron quattro – RM389,990
• Audi Q8 Sportback S line 55 e-tron quattro – RM484,990

All variants are all-wheel drive, with dual motors that produce 250kW (335hp) and 664Nm of torque in the 50 quattro and 300kW (402hp) in the 55 quattro. The former gets from zero to 100km/h in six seconds; the latter is four tenths of a second faster, completing the sprint in 5.6 seconds.

As for range, a 95kWh battery enables the 50 quattro to travel up to 410km on a single charge, while the 114kWh battery in the 55 quattro boosts that figure to 481km. Charging the Q8 e-tron takes 28 minutes for the 50 quattro with a 150kW DC fast charger and 31 minutes for the 55 quattro with a 170kW charger.

Besides the raw figures, the Q8 e-tron offers up plenty of tech, including Malaysia’s first side-view cameras, standard air suspension, a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system and no less than three screens—including a 12.3-inch instrument display, a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a separate 8.6-inch air-conditioning touchscreen. Watch the video below to find out more.