Audi rivals Tesla with an all electric Q8 sports SUV

Tesla look out Audi is Coming

• Audi guns down Tesla with Q8 e-tron

• Expected range of 370 miles

• Based on new VW MLB-evo platform

Audi has set its sights on Tesla and will launch an electric version of the upcoming R8 e-tron supercar, named as the Q8 e-tron. It will have a range of 370 miles and will appear on the scene in 2017. The R8 e-tron project was recently refreshed, with the new car getting twin electric motors, a range of around 250 miles and 376bhp. Audi Q8 is set to take on the upcoming Tesla Model X SUV, due to be launched later this year. Like the Tesla, the Q8 e-tron will also be a four wheel drive using electric motors.

Audi is directly rivalling Tesla hence the Q8 e-tron is set to get an 80kWh battery pack. By 2017, it is expected that battery technology will make significant advances which can improve Q8’s potential range. Audi doesn’t stop here with the Q8 project, the ultra luxury all wheel drive Q8 will also be offered in petrol and diesel engines as well as plug-in hybrid. An even higher performance SQ8 is also in the pipelines.

The Q8 e-tron will meet the demands for a zero-emissions luxury city car. Audi’s research shows that in this market segment the customers see ‘greenness’ as inseparable from premium values. The sources also revealed that, the Q8 will be based on the new Q7 SUV, which is set to arrive later this year. However, the new Q8 is set to have glistening styling then the bluff off-road Q7. Audi Q8 will be a five-door hatchback with higher waistline, lower roofline and shallower side windows and will be offered in both five and seven-seat configurations.

The new Audi A8 will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s new MLB-evo platform, which mixes cast, extruded and stamped aluminium as well as very high strength steels. Audi wants to expand its Q-badged range of model and plans to launch a Q1 baby SUV in 2016.