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2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron Revealed As Cadillac Lyriq Rival

The fully electric 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron just made its global debut, which will serve as a rival to the Cadillac Lyriq.

It’s actually not an all-new vehicle, as the Audi e-tron crossover has been on sale in the United States since 2019, and was followed by the Sportback e-tron crossover coupe. However, the German automaker has now renamed them to position the EV more clearly in its lineup and in the market. As such, the Audi Q8 e-tron slots against the Cadillac Lyriq in the mid-size luxury crossover segment, as did the outgoing e-tron and Sportback e-tron. A higher-performance version will follow, called the SQ8 e-tron. which was originally called the e-tron S.

Audi will release two powertrains for the US. The Q8 e-tron’s dual-motor setup, simply dubbed 55, produces 402 horsepower with Boost mode and 490 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ8’s three-motor powertrain produces a combined 496 horsepower with Boost mode and 718 pound-feet. These numbers are unchanged compared to the outgoing e-tron’s powertrains.

Along with this updated naming scheme, the Q8 e-tron also gets a bump in range, thanks to an increase in battery capacity from 95 to 106 kWh. The 55 powertrain boasts a 361-mile range while the SQ8 gets 307 miles of range, although that’s based on the WLTP test procedure, which is more optimistic than the EPA’s ratings that aren’t yet available.

It’s worth noting that the 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron are completely different vehicles than the current ICE-powered Q8 and SQ8 crossovers.

This “new” Q8 e-tron will round out an Audi EV lineup that includes the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron crossovers as well as the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT sedans. These models are part of Audi’s goal to field an EV lineup consisting of 20 models, while going full electric in the next 11 years.

As a reminder, the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq is powered by GM Ultium batteries and GM Ultium Drive motors, which produce 340 horsepower in single-motor, RWD form or 500 horsepower in dual-motor, AWD form. Pricing starts at $62,990.

Under the skin, the crossover rides on a modified version of the GM BEV3 platform, while production takes place at the GM Spring Hill plant in Tennessee.

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As a typical Florida Man, Trey is a certified GM nutjob who's obsessed with anything and everything Corvette-related.

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Comments

  1. It is ugly, complicated unnecessary ugly, but it is audi, so understand why ugly since some time,
    it is not a cool neither a Wow, but Lyriq is not a Wow too

    Reply
    1. Ugly? This is a nice looking vehicle. Wow, way more masculine than the femi-lyriq, but that’s a personal choice. Audi always executes on design.

      Reply
  2. It looks undoubtably better than the ICE Q8 at least.

    Reply
  3. The design is great for both the Q8 and Lyriq. I’m happy to have a brand that does this normal design while BMW iX or Mercedes EQE SUVs destroy beauty.

    Reply
  4. What are the prices for the Audi models? I did not see them.

    Reply
  5. The Current Audi e-Tron starts at 71K
    How is that a Cadillac Lyriq Competitor?

    Reply
  6. I finally saw a LYRIQ in person – looks significantly better than the online pics.

    They had 2 big expert GM dudes at the dealership. Found out that the ‘light show’ thing isn’t THAT attention getting anyway (good for security), and works only within 3 seconds of approaching the car.

    Also found out that (according to the much bigger of the 2 experts, haha!) the $1,500 QMERIT installation offer is for INSTALLATION only….. Only includes at most the Receptacle installation…. If you want a Wallbox you have to pay for 100% of the price of the wallbox yourself in all cases…. Never had that explained in any GM literature to date.

    But the car looks like an ‘Upscale Blazer’ – so this is a good thing!

    Reply

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