Audi has whipped the wraps off a special-edition Q8 e-tron. Inspired by the Dakar rally, meet the Q8 e-tron Dakar Edition. Here’s what you can expect…
So, what sets the Q8 e-tron Dakar Edition apart from its stock-standard stablemates? Well, it has been equipped with a host of off-road upgrades (it is named for the Dakar Rally, after all, so no surprise here).
The enhancements include, among others, the fitment of a set of General Grabber AT3 all-terrain rubber. What’s more, this off-road-ready, emissions-free, Audi SUV is delivered with eight tyres. A roof rack (with a load capacity of 40 kg) is also included, as is straps for attaching accessories.
The Q8 e-tron Dakar Edition also gains an additional 31 mm of ground clearance. (As standard, the latter measures 206 mm.)
The Ingolstadt-based brand also mentions the Dakar-inspired Q8 e-tron was designed to have improved handling on loose surfaces, such as gravel or snow. However, surely you’ll have to head back to the beaten track to get home? For that, Audi also has an answer.
Indeed, the ground clearance, when in its standard setting, lowers as you pick up speed — 15 mm at 85 km/h, 17 mm at 100 km/h, and 13 mm at 120 km/h. According to the German marque, this optimises driving stability at high speeds.
So, what powers the Q8 e-tron Dakar Edition? Based on the Q8 advanced 55 e-tron quattro, the Audi seen here is equipped with a 106 kWh battery pack, coupled with a twin electric motor arrangement. The duo of electric motors directs 300 kW and 664 Nm of torque to all four corners.
According to the manufacturer, a standard Q8 e-tron dispatches the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds. So, how quick is it when kitted with General Grabber AT3s? Only a tenth-of-a-second slower. That’s 5.9 seconds. The top speed is rated at 200 km/h. But what about the range? Audi claims 487 km.
