√2024 Audi Q8 plug-in hybrid confirmed for Australia, price announced

The Audi Q8 large luxury SUV has gained the option of plug-in hybrid power, priced at a $15,000 premium above the equivalent petrol version.

The 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has been confirmed for release in Australia by the end of this year, priced from $148,375 before on-road costs.

Despite an Australian launch looking unlikely when the flagship Q8 was unveiled in 2020, Audi Australia has today confirmed the model will in fact make its way to our market in late 2023.

Audi is already taking orders for the PHEV variant of the Q8, with strong initial interest according to the German car maker’s Australian division.

Internationally a cheaper 55 TFSI e variant is available, but Audi Australia has opted to take just the higher-grade and more powerful 60 TFSI e variant.

The $148,375 plus on-road costs price tag represents a premium of about $15,000 over a turbo V6 petrol Q8 55 TFSI S Line, based on Model Year 2023 pricing.

Both variants use a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 with electrical assistance, as seen in other models within the Volkswagen Group – including plug-in hybrid variants of the Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg luxury SUVs currently or soon to be sold in Australia.

Australia-bound 60 TFSI e models will produce a meaty 340kW and 700Nm – compared to 280kW and 600Nm for 55 TFSI e versions sold in Europe.

Audi claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.4 seconds for the 60 TFSI e.

The 17.8kWh battery pack is good for a claimed 47km of electric driving range on the European WLTP test cycle, with the battery pack liquid cooled and mounted under the floor.

The battery can be charged at up to 7.4kW, with a full charge taking 2.5 hours at that capability, according to Audi.

If you don’t have access to a specific wallbox at home, a regular power socket will be capable of charging the Q8 plug-in hybrid to full overnight, Audi Australia claims.

Different driving modes will be available, with ‘Auto’ (blending petrol and electric power for optimum efficiency), ‘Charge’ (using the engine to recharge the battery), ‘Hold’ (holding the current battery charge level) and ‘EV’ (electric-only) allowing the driver to choose how they would like the hybrid system to behave.

The Q8 PHEV’s electric driving range is billed as being capable of allowing the average Australian’s 40km-return daily commute to be completed without using any fuel.

A standard equipment list is yet to be published.

The 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e is due to arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2023 (October to December), and pricing starts from $148,375 before on-road costs.

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