PETALING JAYA: PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM), the official distributor of Audi in Malaysia, has launched the all-electric SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 Sportback e-tron sports utility vehicles.
Priced on-the-road without insurance at RM519,990 and RM529,990 respectively, both variants are accompanied by a two-year warranty.
Choosing the optional Audi Assurance Package (AAP) which costs RM13,800 will help to extend the vehicle warranty period to five years.
This will also include a five-year complimentary roadside assistance and three-year free scheduled maintenance.
The battery system is covered by a standalone warranty of eight years or 160,000km.
Seven colour options are available for choice including Magnet Gray, Ultra Blue, Chronos Gray, Mythos Black, Plasma Blue, Daytona Gray and Glacier White.
With the arrival of the two new models, they now become the flagships that sit on top of the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron launched in mid-2023.
Meanwhile, three electric motors (two for the rear axle and one for the front) provide propulsion - a first in Malaysia.
The rear axle motors function independently and can produce 188PS each.
When working as a pair, they provide 376PS and 618Nm of torque to take on the majority of power demand.
Same interior setup. The SQ8 Sportback e-tron and SQ8 e-tron (below).
The single front motor, while able to dish out 214PS and 355Nm of torque, will come online when added power is demanded.
When their efforts are combined, the total system output of all three motors stands at a whopping 503PS and 973Nm.
This allows both model variants to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 4.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 210kph.
Powering the trio of motors is a 114kWh lithium-ion battery pack which can handle up to 170kW (DC).
Doing so will bring the battery's state of charge (SoC) from 10% to 80% in 31 minutes.
Both variants for Malaysia get digital side-view cameras.
On a full charge, range has been rated at 471km (WLTP) for the SQ8 Sportback e-tron and 458km for the SQ8 e-tron.
The charging socket can also accept a standard Mode 3 charging cable for AC charging with a Wallbox at home or public charging station.
With AC charging (depending on power supply), the time taken to fully charge the battery can range between 9.15 hours and around 11.30 hours.
An on-board charger allows for charging of up to 22kW from an AC outlet and for convenience, an additional charging socket on the other side of the vehicle is available.
A charging schedule can be controlled from within the vehicle via the Audi Multi Media Interface (Audi MMI).
As standard, the SQ8 duo has been equipped with wider front bumpers with flow-optimised wheel arch panels.
The signature Singleframe grille is flanked by Digital Matrix projector LED headlamps with 1.3 million micromirrors that can be individually angled up to 5,000 times per second to constantly optimise illumination and take into consideration other road-goers.
For added efficiency, the SQ8 e-tron has a low drag coefficient of just 0.27Cd while the Sportback variant is more efficient at 0.24Cd.
In terms of proportions, the SQ8 e-tron models are similar to the Q8 e-tron and due to the sporty bodywork and aesthetics, they are now 2mm-lower at 1,631mm-tall and 40mm-wider at 1,977mm.
Meanwhile, the 2,928mm wheelbase in both cars are the same and help to provide a 569-litre boot for the SQ8 e-tron and 528 litres for the SQ8 Sportback e-tron.
Both cars feature red-painted brake callipers, carbon fibre exterior camera housings, black roof rails, rear diffuser and a black appearance plus package.
Fitted as standard are Audi Sport 22-inch alloy wheels in 5-spoke "Interferenz" style that has been finished in Titanium Gray and diamond-turned - while wearing 285/35 series tyres.
Audi says that its latest SUVs, in 90% of all braking situations, will not use its disc brakes thanks to the inclusion of intelligent regeneration concept.
The SQ8 e-tron system will recuperate some energy via its electric motors alone without the need for conventional brakes which then work as generators to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy and is then stored within the
battery.
Inside, Valcona leather has been applied to the seats, door card's armrests and the upper section of the dashboard.
Adding a sporty touch are carbon fibre and aluminium for contrast while LEDs provide ambient lighting.
The Audi Virtual Cockpit with heads-up-display (HUD) and dual multi-information touchscreens with haptic touch buttons are also included.
While a 705W Bang & Olufsen audio system powers up the 16-speaker sound system, the Audi MMI provides connectivity via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
On the safety front, there are six airbags along with adaptive cruise control, Park Assist, lane departure warning, swerve assist and turn assist, front and rear cross-traffic assist, tyre pressure monitoring system and ISOFIX anchor points, among others.
"With the new SQ8 e-tron in both the classic SUV and sharper Sportback designs, we now offer high-performance variants of the Q8 e-tron for those who want an even more exhilarating drive with dynamic and efficient Audi technology,” said PHSAM managing director Denyu Bostandzhiev.
> SQ8 Sportback e-tron Specs
> SQ8 e-tron Specs
SQ8 Sportback e-tron
SQ8 e-tron
