Audi e-tron range launched in Malaysia, here’s all you need to know

KUALA LUMPUR: PHS Automotive Malaysia, the official distributor of Audi cars in Malaysia, began accepting orders for the all-new Audi e-tron range in February. Now, after four months, the fully-electric lineup has finally been launched in the country. 

The e-tron lineup includes a total of seven electric cars, of which four are Q8 e-tron models and three are e-tron GT models. Their prices are mentioned below -

Model	Price	Price (with Audi Assurance Package)
Q8 e-tron advanced 50 quattro	RM 383,990	RM 396,990
Q8 Sportback e-tron advanced 50 quattro	RM 389,990	RM 402,990
Q8 e-tron S line 55 quattro	RM 474,990	RM 487,990
Q8 Sportback e-tron S line 55 quattro	RM 484,990	RM 497,990
e-tron GT quattro	RM 587,990	RM 599,990
e-tron GT quattro with Dynamic Package	RM 666,990	RM 678,990
RS e-tron GT	RM 792,990	RM 807,990

Upon introducing the new Audi e-tron range, Erik Winter, Managing Director of PHSAM said, “This is the largest product release for Audi in Malaysia, and we are elated to be the first country in the region to launch the Q8 e-tron. These top-of-range, high-performance luxury vehicles have been highly anticipated, and are now set to captivate the hearts and imagination of Malaysians seeking a sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility option,” said Erik.

"What’s more, I am pleased to announce that this is only the beginning, as we are already working to bring in more e-tron models here, including the flagship SQ8, and the Q6 e-tron, which will make its global debut later this year," added Erik.

Let’s discuss the new Audi Q8 e-tron and Audi e-tron GT models in detail.

Audi Q8 e-tron 

The Audi Q8 e-tron is offered in two body styles - standard and Sportback, each with two variants - advanced 50 quattro and S-line 55 quattro.

Audi Q8 e-tron dimensions

Dimensionally, the standard body style measures 4,915 mm in length, 1,937 mm in width, and 1,633 mm in height, and spans a wheelbase of 2,928 mm. The Sportback trim has the same length, width, and wheelbase, but with a slightly shorter height measuring 1,619 mm.

Audi Q8 e-tron powertrain and range

The advanced 50 quattro versions of the EV are powered by an all-wheel-drive dual motor setup kicking out a maximum power of 340 PS and a peak torque of 664 Nm of torque. The motors are fed by a 95 kWh battery pack offering a range of 410 km (Q8 e-tron advanced 50) and 415 km (Q8 Sportback e-tron advanced 50). Performance numbers include a century sprint of 6 seconds and a top speed of 200 kmph. 

Coming to the S-line variants, here also we can find the dual-motor AWD setup delivering a maximum power of 408 PS and a peak torque of 664 Nm. It is mated to a 114 kWh battery that lets the EV cruise up to 481 km (Q8 e-tron S Line 55) and 487 km (Q8 Sportback e-tron S Line 55). Performance-wise, it runs from zero to 100 kmph in 5.6 seconds and max at a speed of 200 kmph.

Audi Q8 e-tron exterior 

Moving on to the exterior features, the base variant of the Audi e-tron comes kitted with LED headlamps with high beam assist, LED rear combination lamps, and 20-inch Graphite Grey five-arm dynamic style alloy wheels. The Sportback advanced 50 trim adds Black styling package, Digital LED headlamps and red callipers. It also runs on different wheels viz. 20-inch Graphite Grey five-arm “Aero” ring-style alloys.

With the Q8 e-tron S Line 55 versions, the customers also get Digital Matrix LED headlamps, S Line tread plates, sharper bumper finishes, virtual side-view mirrors, and Panoramic glass sunroof. The regular S-Line variant features 21-inch five-arm black turbine-style alloy wheels while the Sportback S Line runs on Audi Sport 21-inch Black Metallic five-arm “Aero” structure-style alloy wheels.

Audi Q8 e-tron interior

The cabin of the Audi Q8 e-tron advanced 50 quattro variants comes equipped with a bag full of creature comforts, including -

• Audi’s Multi-Media Interface with two displays - an upper 10.1-inch and a lower 8.6-inch diagonal
• Audi’s Virtual Cockpit Plus
• Head-up display
• Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel
• Shift paddles
• Four-zone climate control system
• Power-adjustable front seats with 4-way lumbar support
• Mono.Pur 550” leather and leatherette combination seats (Valcona leather seats on the Sportback advanced 50)
• Audi Phone Box Light
• Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System
• Decorative inserts in dark matte brushed aluminium  (Sportback advanced 50)

The S-line trims appear different from the advanced 50 versions thanks to the following exclusive bits - 

• “S” badging on the  Valcona leather seats
• S Line interior with red stitching
• Stainless steel pedals
• S Line seat inlays
• Sports contour on the flat-bottomed steering wheel
• Power-assisted door closing
• Air ioniser and aromatization for the climate system

Audi Q8 e-tron safety 

Parts of the EV’s standard safety net are - eight airbags, Audi Pre Sense, Adaptive Cruise control, Lane Departure Warning, and Front and Rear Cross Traffic Assist.

Audi e-tron GT

Audi Malaysia offers the e-tron GT in three versions - e-tron GT quattro, e-tron GT quattro with Dynamic Package, and RS e-tron GT.

Audi e-tron GT dimensions

The electric four-door fastback measures 4,989 mm in length, 1,964 mm in width, and 1,414 mm in height and carries a wheelbase of 2,900 mm. 

Audi e-tron GT powertrain and range

The standard trims are powered by an all-wheel drive powertrain combining two electric motors (one on each axle) churning out 476 PS and 630 Nm. It enables the EV to hit the century sprint in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 245 kmph. However, the boost mode can increase the output numbers to 530 PS and 640 Nm and decrease the century sprint time to 4.1 seconds. 

In the top-spec RS e-tron GT,  the pair of electric motors are tuned to generate 598 PS (646 PS with boost mode) of maximum power and 830 Nm of peak torque. Performance numbers include a 0-100 kmph acceleration time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 250 kmph.

With all the e-tron GT variants, we get the same 85 kWh battery pack providing a range of 487 km.

Audi e-tron GT exterior

The EV looks absolutely stunning with a sleek silhouette and modern elements. It features a  blocked-off Singleframe grille, LED headlamps, LED tail lights with dynamic turn signals, a Black appearance package with 20-inch black five-spoke aerodynamic module style alloy wheels, and a panoramic glass sunroof. 

The Dynamic Package replaces the standard headlights with the matrix LED units housing the laser light technology. Also part of this special pack is a carbon-fibre roof, red brake callipers, and steel brakes.

Differentiating the RS e-tron GT are the distinctive 21-inch black five-twin-spoke concave module alloy wheels and carbon exterior mirror housings.

Audi e-tron GT interior

Inside this hi-tech German EV, we get the following goodies -

• 10.1-inch touchscreen display with MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch system
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit
• e-tron sport sound system
• Audi drive select
• Leatherette interior elements
• Three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel
• Perforated leather upholstery (Nappa leather/Dinamica microfibre upholstery on the RS trim)
• Powered front sports seats with memory function for the driver
• Three-zone climate control
• Head-up display (Dynamic package)
• Glossy carbon styling package (RS e-tron GT)
• Matte Carbon Twill decorative inserts (RS e-tron GT)
• Illuminated glossy carbon scuff plates (RS e-tron GT)
• Black Dinamica microfibre headliner (RS e-tron GT)
• Stainless steel pedals (RS e-tron GT)

Audi e-tron GT safety

In terms of safety, the e-tron GT is almost identical to the Q8 e-tron as it features eight airbags, Audi pre-sense, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and front and rear cross-traffic alert.

You can now check out the new Audi e-tron range at any authorised Audi dealership across the country. With each purchase, the automaker is offering a complimentary e-tron Compact Charger and RM 1,000 JomCharge Credits. 

Also read: Audi Malaysia offers Audi Assurance Package as standard for the all-new A3 and Q2