The Audi Q8 TFSIe Plug-In Hybrid SUV: The Complete Guide For India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

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The Audi Q8 TFSIe PHEV SUV

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Audi AG, a Bavaria (Germany) based luxury automotive manufacturer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, the Germany automotive group. Volkswagen AG is one of the leading automotive companies in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry. Volkswagen has committed to an investment up to Euro 30 billion by 2023. It aims to sell 3 million electric vehicles by 2025 and launch up to 70 new EV models over the next 10 years.

With the launch of its electric vehicle ID. Family, VW is fast cementing a dominant position is to become the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer by 2028, with the automotive behemoth planning to manufacturer 22 million electric vehicles.  Audi also offers plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), to include:

• A3 Sportback TFSIe
• A6 TFSIe
• A6 Avant TFSIe
• A7 Sportback TFSIe
• A8 TFSIe
• A8 L TFSIe
• Q3 TFSIe
• Q3 Sportback TFSIe
• Q5 TFSIe
• Q5 Sportback TFSIe
• Q7 TFSIe
• Q8 TFSIe

The Audi Q8 is a premium SUV launched in 2018. The Q8 is a flagship model of the German automotive group and is manufactured at the Volkswagen Bratislava plant. The Audi Q8 is available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

If you like the Audi Q7 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, but are keen on a sportier exterior design, the Audi Q8, is your best option for a spacious, but stylish large-sized environment-friendly coupè-SUV. Though the Q8 and Q7, have much in common, the Q8 sloping roofline sets it apart from the Q7.

One of the many advantages of driving a plug-in hybrid electric SUV, is the lower cost per km when driven on e-mode, and the overall increase in fuel economy.  The Audi Q8 PHEV has a claimed fuel economy up to 2.6 l/100km, though not as efficient as some of the more recent plug-in hybrids, still significantly better than the fuel economy of the conventional petrol or diesel Q8 variant.

However, the key in leveraging the benefits of the electric mode, is to use it as often as possible. Therefore, adopting a habit of topping-up on a regular basis, and using the onboard EV battery range to its maximum, is imperative in lowering driving costs. Put another way, achieving anything close to the manufacturers claimed fuel economy will require driving the EV on e-mode as much as possible.

The Audi PHEV has a 17.9 kWh onboard EV battery with a WLTP zero-emission electric range of up to 48 km. Depending on driving style, weather condition, passenger load, services used in the EV, expect a real-world range closer to 42 km.

Though the EV range is limited, it is still sufficient for shorter commutes: grocery store, high street, school-runs, work etc. Like most electric vehicles (EVs), the Audi PHEV incorporates regenerative braking to increase driving efficiency i.e. EV range.

The Q8 plug-in hybrid does not offer DC charging compatibility. The EV has a 7.2 kW AC onboard charger. Using a dedicated domestic EV charger, the Q8 PHEV can be fully charged in 2.5 hours. Though an EV can be charged using a 3-PIN domestic socket, we at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug! 

The all-wheel drive Audi Q8 PHEV combines a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with an electric motor, which is powered by the onboard EV battery. The EV has a maximum output of 381 PS and total system torque up to 600 Nm. Despite the weight of the electric vehicle, which has increased due to the placement of the EV battery, the EV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds for the 55 TFSIe quattro tiptronic variant.

Top speed is up to 240 km/h. Bottom-line, good driving performance and the EV benefits from instant torque, a smoother and quieter drive.

In regards to practicality, the PHEV does not offer a 7-seater option, but the 5 seat PHEV is luxurious and comfortable for rear and front seat passengers. The roofline does impact headroom for taller passengers in the rear, but there is ample legroom. The EV offers 505 L boot space.

The EV interior cabin is completed to a high specification, as is expected from a premium brand, and the EV is technology-filled, to include, the MMI navigation plus, MMI touch response, a 12.3″ Audi virtual cockpit and more. The EV also incorporates a host of driver safety assistance technology, to include, pre sense front and lane assist.

The EV has claimed tailpipe emissions up to 69g CO2/km. Again, substantially lower than the emissions of the conventional petrol variant. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Audi electric car is not available in India.

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PROS	CONS
High standard specifications and tech	Limited electric range
Attractive exterior styling	Does not have a seven-seat option
A comfortable and refinded drive	High tailpipe emissions and low MPG compared to alternative PHEVs

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The Audi Q8 TFSIe PHEV SUV (credit: Audi)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Body Type:	SUV
Engine:	Petrol-Electric
Available In India:	No

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Variants (1 Option)
Audi Q8 TFSIe PHEV (from ₹ N/A)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 17.9 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.2 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs and 30 mins)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	69 – 64g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 160,000 km

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1705
Width (mm):	2190
Length (mm):	4986
Wheelbase (mm):	2995
Turning Circle (m):	13.3
Boot capacity (L):	505

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55 TFSIe quattro tiptronic
EV Battery Capacity:	17.9 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	45 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	24.4 – 24.9
Fuel Consumption (l/100km):	2.3 – 2.6
Charging:	DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.2 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs and 30 mins)
Top Speed:	240 km/h
0-100 km/h:	5.8 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	N/A
Max Power (PS):	381
Torque (Nm):	600
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Unladen Weight (kg):	2,430 – 2,515
Colours:	11
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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60 TFSIe quattro tiptronic
EV Battery Capacity:	17.9 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	48 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	24.6 – 24.9
Fuel Consumption (l/100km):	2.3 – 2.6
Charging:	DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.2 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs and 30 mins)
Top Speed:	240 km/h
0-100 km/h:	5.4 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	N/A
Max Power (PS):	462
Torque (Nm):	700
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Unladen Weight (kg):	2,430
Colours:	10
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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Electric Car Charging: A Snapshot

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Charging an electric vehicle (EV), is really quite as simple as charging your smart mobile phone i.e. plug and play! Both, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are charged in the same manner. Below is a brief guide to charging an electric car:

• Just like a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle is filled with fuel, similarly, an electric car is filled with ‘fuel’, the only difference being that the fuel is electricity and not petrol or diesel. In a petrol or diesel car the fuel is stored in a fuel tank, while in an electric vehicle, like the Tesla Model Y, the electricity is stored in an EV battery, usually a lithium-ion battery.

• Electric cars can be charged at home or at public charging points. Most EV charging is done at home overnight via a dedicated EV charging station. However, some households still use a 3-PIN domestic plug to charge an EV. We strongly discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug and instead encourage the installation of a high quality home EV charging station, like Webasto or EVBox.

• Pure electric cars take longer to charge than plug-in hybrid electric cars, as pure EVs have a larger EV battery. In most cases a pure electric car will have an EV battery between 30 kWh and 100 kWh, while a plug-in hybrid electric car will usually have an EV battery between 8 kWh and 15 kWh. Charging an EV at home can take between 3 to 15 hours, depending on the size of the EV battery and the type of charge point or 3-PIN plug engaged for charging. Home charging is AC charging, and in most cases up to 7.4 kW, as most homes, to include, India, are singe-phase.

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

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• Public charging, to include workplace charging, is quite similar to home charging, except, the charging stations are faster and sometimes more expensive to charge per kWh. Public charging stations are both AC and DC charging, however, the AC charging is at a much faster rate (22 kW). DC charging, is the fastest way to charge an EV and depending on the EV battery size, DC charging can fully charge an EV battery in less than 40 minutes. In general, plug-in hybrid cars do not use DC charging i.e. DC charging is mostly used by pure electric cars. DC charging stations can range between 50 kW to 300 kW.

• We always encourage EV owners to carry an EV cable in the car, as not all public charging points are tethered (attached cable). We recommend the use of a 5m EV charging cable, and preferably a high visibility colour. Of course, you can buy high quality EV charging cables and EV charging stations via e-zoomed.

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While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

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