Audi Q8 e-tron

Back in 2019, the first-ever Audi e-tron crossover signaled a new start for Audi's electrification mission and it sets the template for Audi's electrified models. Despite its success, the e-tron didn't survive long enough and it was therefore removed from the lineup. Thankfully, it was reborn with a new name, which sounds confusing to some.

2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback

2024 Audi Q8 e-tron

Welcome to the Audi Q8 e-tron and no, this new model has nothing in common with the ICE-powered Audi Q8 coupe utility vehicle because, despite the naming, it's basically a minor change version of the used-to-be-called Audi e-tron electric crossover.

Prices start at 74,400 Euros plus additional costs, a drastic price bump compared to the old e-tron crossover, so with the price hike, what do you get from this so-called improved version of the e-tron crossover, which is available in normal and Sportback models?

Beginning with the styling, the Q8 e-tron looks similar to the old e-tron crossover but with refreshed looks and aerodynamics to make a statement. It's the same goes for the sporty SQ8 e-tron variants.

2024 Audi Q8 e-tron interior

2024 Audi Q8 e-tron interior

The interior feels pretty much the same as the old model but there are signs of added use of recycled materials involved in the making. On the driver's side, you still have familiar features such as the 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit, a 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen with smartphone connectivity and noticeable apps such as Apple Music and (oh no) Amazon Alexa, and an 8.6-inch secondary touchscreen that takes charge of the climate control features. 

Of course, the spacing is just like the old e-tron. It fits up to five people and it's got more room than its main rival, the Mercedes-Benz EQC, and for added fun, Audi teams up with holoride to deliver VR excitement inside. Sit in the back, put on your VR glasses, and enjoy the ride. This is a gimmick even kids might enjoy.

2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron Sportback

2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron

Checking out the electric propulsion system, the Q8 e-tron features a choice of either a 95kWh or a 114kWh battery pack with the latter producing 408PS of power, 664Nm of torque, a 0-100kph time of 5.6 seconds, 200kph of top speed, and 582km of driving range.

The SQ8 e-tron uses the same 114kWh battery pack as the normal one but it has improved performance, delivering 503PS of power, 973Nm of torque, a 0-100kph time of 4.5 seconds, 210kph of top speed, and up to 494km of driving range.

The dynamics were slightly revised compared to the old e-tron courtesy of its improved performance, air suspension, revised air springs, and updated steering ratio. Still, it possesses a mild driving feel but it feels a bit okay to get going from the beginning to the end of the day.

The SQ8 e-tron comes with an electric torque vectoring system that allows drivers to fully enjoy these crossovers to their fullest extent. Easier said than done.

The Q8 e-tron may be more of a facelifted e-tron crossover but it continues the electric crossover's success story even in this unstable world we live in. 

Why call it the Q8 e-tron even though it has nothing in common with the normal Q8 coupe crossover? It's complicated.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi e-tron S

The Audi e-tron is an electric crossover that signaled a new era for the German luxury carmaker and although it's as thought-provoking as electric cars get, some wanted a little more fun. Wonder no more, well sort of, because the e-tron crossovers have gained some spice to heat these electric crossovers up.

Welcome to the Audi e-tron S, the more enjoyable version of the e-tron electric crossovers. With prices starting at 93,800 Euros plus on-road costs, which is as expensive as an Audi A8, it is available in both normal and Sportback variants, so whichever style you're going, you will still experience a more beefed-up electric powertrain that is as powerful and as quick as a V8-powered Ford Mustang, whatever it is.

By the looks of it, the e-tron S looks and feels like the normal equivalents in terms of design, interior, spacing, and tech that scares away even the most amped-up speedo boys behind the wheel, but being S, they've got beefed up exterior designs that differentiate it from the normal guys as well as what lies underneath its future-proof skin.

With the S gear set, the e-tron S can unleash the full grit of its beefed-up electric drivetrain with three-electric motors, a first for mass-produced electrics, allowing it to produce up to 503PS of power and 973Nm of torque, going from 0-100kph in four and a half seconds and onwards to over 210kph, quicker than the normal e-tron as expected.

There's even more shockingly cool stuff about the beefed up e-tron crossovers because apart from its sport-tuned suspension that delivers its mild but menacing dynamics on the road and track, the e-tron S comes with the electric torque vectoring system that allows drivers to fully enjoy these crossovers to their fullest extent. They behave like rear-wheel drive vehicles under normal circumstances but when things get serious, the front motor comes alive and it's a side of mild language, hold the fries.

The e-tron S is for those who wanted more fun on the thought-provoking electric crossovers from Audi and looks like these beefed-up electric crossovers are on the roll on the road to a more exciting electric future, even in the wrong barrels.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi e-tron Sportback

The Audi e-tron crossover welcomes a new addition to the range and it's a coupe crossover variant of the first-ever electric crossover that got the whole world craving about.

Priced at 71,350 Euros plus additional costs, the Audi e-tron Sportback offers the same stuff as its normal equivalent, only with the slashed roofline that spells trouble for speedo boys because why are we getting so many coupe crossovers in today's motoring world anyway?

Like the normal e-tron, the e-tron Sportback is actually based on the current-generation Q3 Sportback with some fake grilles on it. Of course, you get the same five-seater comfort and the same minimalist interior as the normal one but while it is less roomy than the normal one because of the sloping roofline, the e-tron Sportback is still spacious enough for almost everything you can fit into, be it for your next outing or for your import/export stuff your business is doing all the time.

On the performance side, the e-tron Sportback features the same electric all-wheel drive and suspension setup as the normal one with the range-topper 55 variant producing 408PS of power and 664Nm of torque from its electric motors, making it capable of going 0-100kph in 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 200kph. Although sluggish, it feels a bit quick to some going on the quarter mile, thank you instant acceleration.

On the lesser 50 variant, the e-tron Sportback can get up to 21.4kWh/100km on one full charge.

Like the normal e-tron, the Sportback possesses a mild driving feel because of the weight it carries like most electric cars today. It may be bulky to handle and corner but it feels a bit okay to get going from the beginning to the end of the day.

Although it has a sloping roofline that cuts some boot space from the normal one, it still works just like the normal e-tron crossover.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi Q3 Sportback

The Germans invented the coupe utility trend starting with the BMW X6. Then, Mercedes-Benz followed it with the GLE Coupe, and recently, Porsche with the Cayenne Coupe. Now, Audi is late for the party with their first-ever coupe utility vehicle based on the second-generation Q3. So, what's it all about the Q3 Sportback?

2020 Audi Q3 Sportback

Priced two grand more than the normal Q3 SUV, the first-ever Q3 Sportback is a coupe utility vehicle that offers the same stuff that you get from the normal Q3 but now with the sloping roof line too difficult to explain.

The world gets used to this coupe utility niche the Germans invented and with better late than never for Audi, the Q3 Sportback tries to be more noticeable with its unique styling that can upset a BMW X4 for a change but sadly, being an Audi, it feels like being the only teenager invited to a children's party.

Although less roomier than the standard Q3 with the seats folded, it's still as spacious as the normal one with the rear seats present, meaning there's enough room for your grocery stuff and others. Not bad.

Under the hood, the Q3 Sportback is powered by a choice of a 2.0L TFSi and the 2.0L TDi engine, both mated to a 7-speed S-tronic double clutch gearbox in most models and a mild hybrid system for electrification purposes. The latter is something to avoid because Europeans today are not friendly to the whole diesel thing despite its Euro-6d compliance. Anyway, the range-topping 45 TFSi produces 230PS of power and 350Nm of torque, making it capable of going 0-100kph in  6.5 seconds and a top speed of 233kph. Not bad.

In terms of dynamics, it still behaves pretty much like a normal Q3 despite being in the niche nobody knows. Not as enjoyable to drive like a BMW or a Mercedes as such but it feels not bad to drive even with the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system that goes pretty well with tarmac, gravel, and snow. Although not fit for cross country abuse, it sure is not afraid to get itself dirty when Audi's quattro system is around.

It also bears the same wide array of safety tech as the normal Q3 but it's too much to ask for now.

With Audi late to the coupe utility niche afterparty, the Q3 Sportback raises a lot of questions from people who are fed up with this niche and no matter how fed up the average speedo boy be upon seeing more and more like these, rest assured that its the Germans to blame for making the coupe utility vehicle trend and there's nothing they can do to stop them. It's real life. Get with the times.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi A5 II

2017 Audi A5 Coupe

2017 Audi A5 Sportback

It's been almost a decade when Audi launched the two-door equivalent of the Audi A4, known as the A5, and while the A5 is made to take on the likes of BMW's 4-Series and Mercedes' C-Coupe, its stale styling never makes the cut against today's generation of two-door saloons. However, this is the latest version, and while this is based on the latest Audi A4, the all-new Audi A5 tries to show its rivals how technologically-advanced this new version is, although the new design feels like it's 10 years ago.

You get two bodystyles at launch; first there's the coupe version, starts at 42,750 Euros, for those who are very sensible enough to have a two-door saloon in the first place, and then there's the five-door Sportback version, starts at 40,850 Euros, for those who believe that the A4's not good enough for them. Either way, they're all the same story for these two bodystyles at the start because whichever A5 you'll be choosing, it's not the performance this car is aftering, it's the tech that counts and looks like you'll be having a hard time understanding the gadgetry deployed on the new model.

2017 Audi A5 Coupe interior

2017 Audi A5 Sportback interior

Of course, while the design is slightly an improvement from the previous model when it first launched almost a decade ago, the new interior is all business as usual for the coupe and as for the Sportback, you get that "out from the limo" feeling that once you got out from the back seat, you will think that you're in charge of almost everything, even your siblings who are not interested in cars at all. Of course, while the coupe is all about your time, all the time, and while the Sportback is all about talent agencies, four star hotels, and all that rut from your briefcase full of work-related materials, understanding the tech that sinks the A5's new interior like Silicon Valley meets Boracay is not an easy task but the more you understand about its interior, the better your understanding how it works like a laptop computer, and with the brand new "Technology Selection" offered on the A5, which comes with smartphone connectivity for iPhones and Androids, this is just the half of the tech-filled platter for the new model.

Okay, the Coupe and the Sportback models offer different range of engine choices and if you start with the normal Coupe version, you should know that there are 11 configurations to choose from; with the most powerful version is the sport 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic with 252PS of power and can get through 100kph in 5.8 seconds while the most efficient one is the sport 2.0 TDI ultra with the 6-speed manual which delivers 4.2 l/100km of fuel efficiency. For the Sportback, meanwhile, there are eight configurations available with the most powerful version is of course the 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic with a 0-100kph time of six seconds while the most efficient model is the 2.0 TDI ultra  with the 6-speed manual with a fuel economy of 4.1 l/100km.

2017 Audi S5 Coupe

2017 Audi S5 Sportback

If you need some more, there's also a semi-high performance variant called the S5. Priced at 62,500 Euros for both models, the S5 is equipped with a 3.0 TFSI engine producing 354 PS of power and top speed normally limited to 250kph, while mated with a tiptronic gearbox which isn't sound so sporty for a semi-high performance variant for the A5 models.

Either way, the new model feels a bit like it was slightly improved compared to the first-generation model. Although luxurious and comfortable to drive on the city streets and on the highway, its excitement to drive as a weekend car is almost none and you can't sense how much fun this new model is, even if you're going two doors because who would rather think driving a car with two doors is considered a sleek and sporty ride? However, Audi resorted developing a new quattro all wheel drive system with ultra technology, this upgraded drivetrain feels like it's starting to work rather well like singing kumbaya on a boy scout bonfire night. Still, with technology at its earnest disposal, the new Audi A5's state of the art features in terms of safety and connectivity feels like it's one step ahead to the future and while these new models are here today, they're always ready for tomorrow's ever-changing demographics.

Although the new model doesn't sense its sportiness from within, its becoming a slight improvement compared to the previous generation and it will take owners to grow accustomed to the all-new model by whatever means necessary. The more they drive the new A5, the more they know, and the more they know, the better their experience behind the wheel will be and while having two bodystyles with different powertrains offered is just half the story, there's more to come with the new generation A5 so expect surprises later on for this generation.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi A5 range Minor Change

2012 Audi A5

The Audi A5 may not be as good looking as its rivals but for this year, this is a different kind of A5 because the Audi A5 range received its first mid-life facelift, keeping the Audi A5 coupe, Audi A5 Cabriolet, and the Audi A5 Sportback began life anew after four years.

For this minor change, the exterior boasts a new front design heavily inspired from the latest generation Audi A6 C7 while the rear view sports a new rear view heavily inspired from the third-generation Audi A8. With Audi's design DNA, the Audi A5 has progressed to have sharper cues, impressive elegance, and exceptional high quality that is quite fit enough for the grand touring road ahead.

2012 Audi A5 interior

The Audi A5's interior has been heavily revised from top to bottom. You should expect up close and personal with a new steering wheel design, new steering column stalks, new instrumental panel, and narrow chrome clasps framing the control elements. On the A5 Sportback, Fine Nappa leahter replaces the Valcona leather to provide the best comfort for the passengers and these luxury features are sure enough to provide hospitality on the new A5.

For its minor change, the Audi A5 loses the 3.2 FSi engine, which is somewhat bad news for those who are looking for power. As of today, the new A5 range is offered in 1.8 TFSI 160PS, 1.8TFSI 170PS, 2.0 TFSI 211PS, 2.0 TDI 143PS, 2.0 TDI 177PS, 3.0 TDI 204PS, and 3.0 TDI 245PS engines. Focused of fuel efficiency, most engines come equipped with idling stop system and recuperation system. Depending on the engine types, there are different drivetrains offered on the new Audi A5 range such as six-speed manual, multitronic, seven-speed S tronic, front-wheel drive or quattro drive.

Available in 15 color variations such as Brillantrot, Brillantschwarz, Ibisweiß, Cuvéesilber Metallic, Eissilber Metallic, Gletscherweiß Metallic, Mondscheinblau Metallic, Monsungrau Metallic, Scubablau Metallic, Shirazrot Metallic, Teakbraun Metallic, Daytonagrau Perleffekt, Lavagrau Perleffekt, Misanorot Perleffekt, and Phantomschwarz Perleffekt.

My comment:
The A5 range's minor change only impresses the new exterior, new interior, and loads of technology that satisfies the driver but when it comes to performance, it seems that their top priority was only fuel economy rather than performance. Dropping the 3.2 TSI engine is such a heinous crime and I am very unhappy about the list of engines available because most of these engines are focused only on fuel consumption rather than horsepower and torque. That made me sad...

Photo: AUDI AG

Audi A5 Sportback

Since 2007, Audi launched the high-performance luxury sports coupe knew as the A5 to satisfy adrenaline junkies and executives everywhere. This time, another A5 adds a completely new dimension in the luxury car industry. Since the A5 (and the S5) is the formidable foe for the likes of the BMW 3-Series Coupe and the MB E-Class Coupe, this new kind of A5 will take down the Volkswagen Passat CC and the MB CLS-Class with its aggressive styling, superb handling, and the optional quattro technology that fits all. Welcome the Audi A5 Sportback.







As a 5-door fastback coupe, there is no surprising that this new German sports car does it all for carrying the most eccentric people in all four doors. There is no surprise for the fifth door in the rear side of the A5 Sportback. From its exotic styling, the A5 Sportback carries a mind-blowing, spellbinding interior that is above all the other hatchback everywhere. From its long wheelbase, the A5 Sportback is a four-seater car and the interior styling is somewhat similar to the entry-level A4 sedan.







Well, the interior of the A5 Sportback is not much of a luxury coupe, but there are many options that you can mix and match to this high-performance 5-door coupe. Consider the storing compartment on the sliding center armrest, a wide range of seats such as the Arcade cloth, Alcantara and Valcona leather, wooden paneling, and all the extras that made the interior of the A5 not just fashionable, but also an all-access pass to excitement.







For overall performance, the A5 Sportback has rigged with the finest state-of-the-art technology. It includes self-tracking, trapezoidal link rear suspension, large, powerful brakes, a ESP stabilization program (on FF variants), the optional Audi high-end technology that allows the driver to select different functions, electronic shock absorber control, and dynamic steering. The A5 Sportback boasts different engines such as the 2.0-litre TFSI engine, 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine, 2.7-litre V6 TDI diesel engine, 3.2-litre FSI engine, and the 3.0-litre V6 TDI diesel engine. Available transmissions were 6-speed manual and the 7-speed S-tronic automatic transmission.

CAN ANYONE KNOW JUST HOW WILD THIS NEW CAR MADE BY GERMANS?

With about 2.6-3.5 million Pesos when it hits the Philippines soon, we cannot describe how cool was the new A5 Sportback was, but rest assured, it is the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo’s fateful rival in this category. Which fastback will prevail? You decide when you try these fastbacks soon.



Source: http://leopauldelr.multiply.com/reviews/item/132