KUALA LUMPUR: Porsche Holding Salzburg Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM), the official distributor of Audi in Malaysia, has launched its most extensive electric e-tron range of vehicles – all equipped with an electric all-wheel-drive system that bares the quattro moniker
The electric vehicles (EVs) comprise four Q8 sports utility vehicles (SUVs), two e-tron GT quattros and a sole RS e-tron GT for seven EVs and although the company kept mum on the number of units brought into the country, the entire batch of EVs have all been spoken for.
However, PHSAM managing director Erik Winter stated the company is still welcoming enquiries from potential owners.
The Q8 e-tron range starts with the advanced 50 quattro with an on-the-road (without insurance) price of RM384,790 while the S line 55 quattro can be had at RM475,790.
The Q8 Sportback e-tron advanced 50 quattro comes in at RM390,790, followed by the S line 55 quattro at RM485,790.
As for the e-tron GT quattro, it gets tagged at RM588,790 – adding a Dynamic Package bumps the price up to RM667,790 while the RS e-Tron GT tops it all off at RM793,790.
A standard two-year manufacturer’s warranty with an eight-year or 160,000km battery warranty and a five-year complimentary roadside assistance accompanies the EVs, however, an optional Audi Assurance package (ranging from RM12,000 to RM15,000 – depending on model) is available.
This adds three years to the manufacturer’s warranty and provides a three-year unlimited mileage maintenance package at 15,000km service intervals.
New owners will be provided with complimentary RM1,000 JomCharge Credits (valid for one year) and e-tron e-tron Charging System Compact for added convenience which consists of an intelligent compact charger and power cables – one that plugs into the vehicle and the other into the standard household power socket.
The Q8 e-tron advanced 50 quattro has ample room for five along with a 569-litre boot that’s expandable to 1,725 litres and uses a 95kWh battery resides in the floor to help generate 349PS and 664Nm of torque – allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 6.0 seconds while rolling on 20-inch Graphite Gray five-spoke dynamic style alloy wheels that hide its adaptive air suspension system.
Power consumption has been rated at 24kWh per 100km which allows it to travel up to 491km on the combined cycle (WLTP).
The S line 55 quattro variant ups the power to 408PS with 664Nm of torque to drop its acceleration time to 5.6 seconds while a larger 114kWh battery now allows it to travel further – up to 582km.
Additionally, larger 21-inch five-spoke black turbine-style alloy wheels now fill the wheel wells before adding on the advanced Digital Matrix LED headlights, a more sophisticated Valcona leather upholstery, virtual exterior mirrors, panoramic glass sunroof, sports contoured three-spoke flat-bottomed leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with paddles-shifters, air ionizer and aromatization and a power-assisted door closure system among others.
The four-door coupe GT quattro, in standard form, has a 93.4kWh battery that allows it to travel up to 501km with consumption rated at 21.6kWh per 100km.
A two-speed automatic transmission manages its power that’s been rated at 476PS and 630Nm of torque which can be momentarily boosted to 530PS and 640Nm – dropping its 0 to 100kph sprint time to 4.1 seconds (-0.4s).
Opting for the Dynamic Package will add on Matrix LED headlight system, carbon fibre roof, red brake callipers with tungsten carbide coated brake discs, Nappa leather and Dinamica microfiber combination interior, heads-up display, on-board AC charger (up to 22kW from 11kW) and a premium Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system.
Finally, the RS e-tron GT, a performance-oriented variant of the GT quattro, uses a larger 93kWh battery to deliver up to 495km of range while consuming 22.1kWh per 100km at best.
Sprinting from standstill to 100kph in boost mode takes just 3.3 seconds from its usual 3.6 seconds.
This EV maintains torque readings at 800Nm but increases horsepower from 598PS to 646PS – all while using the same transmission in the GT quattro.
New owners can expect larger 21-inch staggered wheels with 265/35 (front) and 305/30 (rear) series tyres while its exterior gets slapped with a glossy carbon styling package and carbon exterior mirror housings to match the carbon roof.
Inside, the roof now uses black Dinamica microfibre while more carbon finds its way into the cabin with the decorative inserts getting a matte finish while the scuff plates get glossed up.
Finally, and to help justify its asking price, there’s also a rear differential lock and all-wheel steering system to help boost stability.
“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 imaginations of Malaysians seeking a sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility option,” said Winter.
PHSAM has partnered with European energy solutions provider, Moon Power to further support charging solutions exclusively for e-tron owners in the country who will have the option of purchasing its 11kW or 22kW wallbox chargers from September onwards.
All three Audi Centres in Glenmarie, Setia Alam and Juru have been fitted with the wallbox, with each centre providing three AC 22kW chargers and one DC 180kW charger – all exclusively for Audi owners.
Keyword: New Audi e-tron line-up introduced