Audi Malaysia launches the SQ8 and SQ8 Sportback e-tron: 503PS, up to 458km of range - from RM519,990

PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM), the custodian of the Audi brand in Malaysia today launched two new
models, the SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 Sportback e-tron.

Priced from RM519,990, the two new Audi EV SUVs joins the ever growing fully electric vehicle lineup for the Malaysian market. By the way, that price mentioned above is for the regular SQ8 as the SQ8 Sportback will set you back another RM10k.

Let’s dive deeper into the Audi SQ8 e-tron and its sibling the Sportback - two electric SUV that are sure to turn heads everywhere they go.

Power Packed Performance

First up, power. Since both SUVs has the SQ moniker, the beasts are equipped with three asynchronous motors, two of which are on the rear axle and one separately at the front. This is the first mass-produced Audi model with three motors and first EV locally to have this setup.

Combined, these motors pump out a whopping 503 PS and 618Nm of torque. That's right, 503 and 618! It translates to a 0-100 km/h sprint in just under 4.5 seconds. And with Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive, you get that power delivered smoothly, no matter the road conditions.

So, the cool thing about the two rear motors in this car is that they work separately to power each wheel. This means the car can be super precise in how much power it sends to each wheel, making the drive really smooth.

Most of the time, especially when you're just cruising around town, the car doesn't use its full power and mainly relies on those rear motors. But when you step on it and need more juice, the power shifts to both the front and back axles. This way, you get that classic quattro feel, but with an extra kick from the electric torque vectoring.

Exterior

The SQ8 e-tron models are pretty much shaped like the Q8 e-tron, but they've got a sportier look which makes them a tad lower by 2 mm and broader by 40 mm. They share the same 2928 mm wheelbase, so you still get plenty of room inside, especially for stretching your legs in the back, and a good amount of boot space. The SQ8 e-tron can hold up to 569 litres, while the Sportback version has a slightly smaller boot at 528 litres.

On the outside, these models look really cool with red-painted brake calipers and carbon fibre mirror housings. They've got black roof rails and a sleek black appearance package. Plus, they come with these awesome 22-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels in a 5-arm 'Interferenz' design, painted in Titanium Gray and diamond-turned, which are standard on them.

Battery and Range

Battery-wise, it’s got a large capacity that offers a range up to 458km on a single charge. And with fast-charging 170Kw capabilities, you can juice up to 80% in about 30 minutes. So, long trips? No sweat.

The charging socket can also accept a standard mode 3 charging cable for AC charging with a Wallbox at home or a public charging station. With AC charging, the time will be between 9.15 hours to around 11.30 hours, depending on the power supply. There is also an on-board charger that allows for charging at up to 22 kW from
an AC outlet.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Now, let's talk safety and convenience features. The SQ8 e-tron is packed with them. Think advanced passive and active safety systems which include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, swerve assist and turn assist, and front and rear cross traffic assist.

Other standard safety features include front side and rear SRS airbag systems, child safety package with ISOFIX

child seat anchors and top tether, and a direct tyre pressure monitoring system. For ease of parking, the SQ8 e-
tron has a Park Assist package with park assist plus helps locate an available bay and then manoeuvres the vehicle in without any steering input by the driver.

Interior Comfort

Inside, you get a luxurious cabin with all the bells and whistles. Noise cancellation for a peaceful ride, ambient lighting for that premium feel, and high-quality materials all around. 

There's also a 4-zone climate control system which ensures distribution of cool and refreshing air to all corners of the cabin. Also
included in the system is an air ionizer with aromatization which the occupants can adjust in several stages for the best air quality.

The Audi Virtual Cockpit has a strong driver bias, with the instrument panel integrated into the wraparound
dashboard and a sleek display standing visually free in space.

A Head-Up Display is standard for enhanced driving safety. A smartphone interface allows integration of most iOS and Android smartphones with the Audi MMI to control features such as navigation, music and selected apps.

The Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D allows music to be experienced exactly as recorded, with a spatial dimension of height as well. The system has a highly efficient amplifier driving 16 loudspeakers with 705 watts.

In conclusion, the Audi SQ8 e-tron isn’t just another electric SUV. It’s a powerhouse of performance, safety, and technology, wrapped in a sleek and stylish package. It’s a clear signal that the future of luxury electric vehicles is here, and it’s exciting!

Colour choices and warranty

The SQ8 e-tron is available with a wide range of exterior colour choices such as Magnet Gray, Ultra Blue, Chronos Gray, Mythos Black, Plasma Blue, Daytona Gray and Glacier White.

Warranty

Both SQ8 e-tron variants can be purchased with the optional Audi Assurance Package (AAP) which extends the vehicle warranty period to 5 years, with free scheduled maintenance for the first 3 years and complimentary roadside assistance for the first 5 years.

The battery system is covered by a separate warranty of 8 years or
160,000 km. As with all warranties, terms and conditions apply.

Also Read: Save up to RM 93,000 on Audi e-tron EV models