Never one to miss a strong marketing opportunity, today Audi reveals a special off-road-focused version of the Q8 e-tron (that's the electric SUV formerly badged simply 'e-tron') inspired by the RS Q e-tron racer that will tackle the 2024 Dakar Rally. It's called the Q8 e-tron edition Dakar and it will be available for the general public to buy, though possibly not those in Ireland.
Eight wheels as standard
If you're tempted, make sure you have somewhere to store a spare set of wheels, as the Dakar edition comes with two different sets. The first you see pictured here are shod in serious General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres complete with the 'M+S' (mud and snow) symbol, designed to allow this car to go where most Q8 e-trons dare not. Alluding to the low likelihood that buyers of this car will actually take it off the beaten track, Audi will also throw in a set of 20-inch alloy wheels shod in regular summer tyres.
The Q8 e-tron's ground clearance has been raised by 65mm, though the air suspension automatically reduces that at higher speeds in the name of aerodynamic efficiency. Audi says the car is designed to "tackle light off-road terrain" so don't expect to be able to actually compete in the next Dakar Rally in one. For the record, the front angle of approach, rear angle of approach and ramp angle figures are quoted as 21, 28 and 19 degrees, respectively. And the wading depth is claimed to be 300mm.
RS Q e-tron livery for the few
Only 99 cars will be finished with the full decal package shown here, taking the form of a wrap over a base coat of Mythos Black metallic paint. That colour is available without the wrap, as is Siam Beige metallic and Magnetic Gray. Matrix LED lights are standard. The grille surround is the same colour as the rest of the body and can be had with extra illumination and a black outline. Finishing off the aesthetic makeover is a set of widened wheel arch trims and a roof rack.
S line interior and lots of equipment
Inside, the S line specification includes sports seats upholstered in a mix of 'Dinamica' microfibre and synthetic leather, black roof lining, stainless steel pedals and plenty of decorative aluminium. Upgrade to the Audi Sport package and red stitching is generously applied, complemented by red-trimmed seatbelts. There's loads of technology included in the base price, though, such as a head-up display, while the infotainment can now also show the tilt angles of the car and a choice of three Dakar-themed background images.
Torque is the name of the game
The Q8 e-tron edition Dakar is based on the underpinnings of the Q8 e-tron Advance 55 quattro, which means electric motors front and rear for all-wheel drive as you'd hope. In boost mode there's up to 408hp and 664Nm of torque produced, allowing a 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds. A 106kWh battery pack (that's the net energy capacity) allows an official range of up to 450 kilometres. Apparently, changing over to the standard wheel-and-tyre package will up that by 50km.
Production of the Audi Q8 e-tron edition Dakar in right-hand drive has not yet been confirmed.