Beyond limits: the Bicol journey of the Audi Q8 e-tron 55 with one battery charge

The 100% electric Audi Q8 55 e-tron has recently added another feather in its cap: it has increased its range by making the journey from Manila to Bicol with one battery charge, with sufficient energy.

After a round trip to Baguio (the first EV or BEV to do so) last year, where it traveled a total of 525 kilometers – returning to Manila with 4% charge left – this Audi deftly collected the trip from Manila to Bicol, during which it travels 480 kilometers over a 12-hour journey with a substantial 12% charge left in the battery.

The Audi Q8 e-tron 55 is powered by a double electric motor with quattro all-wheel drive. The available power is 408 hp and the torque is 664 Nm – the latter is available almost immediately thanks to its fully electric nature. The sprint to 100 km/h takes 5.6 seconds and the top speed is 200 km/h.

“With this new achievement, we demonstrate that range concerns are now a thing of the past,” said Audi Philippines General Manager Gian Paolo Brambilla. “Our battery-electric vehicles are designed not only as a showcase of technology and premium features inherent to Audi, but also as proof that we have made great leaps in the development of our batteries and the way the vehicles use them and charge to manage.”

During a four-hour drive covering a distance of 146 kilometers from the Audi Philippines showroom in Greenhills to Atimonan and then onto the Gumaca Coastal Road, the Audi Q8 e-tron 55’s charge dropped by just 27% – from 100% to 73%. There were four people on board the vehicle, which had its air conditioning on and its driving mode set to Efficiency. When the BEV reached SM Naga, the occupants made another stop for lunch. The group had now traveled 378 kilometers and there was still 29% charge in the battery.

It is important to note that the vehicle’s real-time indicated range is a conservative estimate of its maximum potential. The actual distance is usually longer, especially since the Q8 e-tron features a robust energy recuperation function that harnesses kinetic energy when the car slows down while going downhill, for example. The vehicle’s system converts the energy into electricity, which then returns to the battery to increase the charge.

Heading to the scenic Camalig bypass with breathtaking views of Mount Mayon, the Q8 e-tron performed steadily under the blazing sun until the group reached its final destination in Legazpi with 12% of power remaining. There, the vehicle was charged at the EV charging station in SM Legazpi.

The next day, the SUV, with a fully charged battery, made several stops to take some nice photos – first at the Quituinan Hills in Camalig, Albay, then to the historic Cagsawa Ruins and Embarcadero in Legazpi.

With a published range of up to 582 kilometers, the Audi Q8 e-tron 55 gets a Black Appearance package, Audi rings in 2D look in Polar White and a blacked-out Audi Singleframe grille – bordered by Digital Matrix LED headlights with washers. The taillights of this Q8 are also LEDs.

The electrically adjustable and electrically folding exterior mirrors have a memory function and are automatically dimming. The Q8 e-tron 55 rolls on 21-inch cast aluminum wheels in five-link Aero style in Graphite Grey, Diamond-Turned.

Inside, the car features the high-resolution Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus color display for the driver, MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch Response, a premium sound system from Bang & Olufsen with 3D Sound, atmospheric LED lighting, four-zone climate control system, an air freshener quality package, panoramic sunroof and more.

“These capabilities and complement of features clearly demonstrate why the Audi Q8 e-tron is our flagship BEV model,” said Brambilla. “While we are pleased that electric vehicle charging infrastructure is being steadily rolled out in various parts of the country to ease the transition to battery-electric vehicles, Audi e-tron vehicles already have the technology and battery to address concerns about to reduce range for customers who are still thinking about going electric. We fully support the capabilities and values ​​of the Audi e-tron line and continue to believe that this demonstrates that the future of mobility is electric, and that it is already here today.”
For more information, contact Audi Philippines at +639178361379.

Show comments