German automaker Audi is embracing the current off-roading trend with its latest release, the Q8 e-tron Edition Dakar, priced at around €120,000 ($132k) in Germany. This SUV, based on the twin-motor 55 non-Sportback e-tron, taps into Audi’s rich off-highway heritage, harking back to the rallying success of the iconic Audi Quattro in the early 1980s and the more recent RS Q e-tron Dakar racer.
The Q8 e-tron Edition Dakar maintains the performance of the stock model, boasting 402 hp (408 PS / 300 kW) in boost mode and accelerating from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.8 seconds on standard road tires. Equipped with General Grabber AT3 all-terrain rubber, supplied by Audi, the SUV takes 5.9 seconds, offering drivers the option of eight wheels in total.
While the off-road tires contribute to a reduced driving range of 303 miles (487 km) compared to the standard 55’s 330 miles (531 km), they enhance the vehicle’s aesthetics and provide an additional 31 mm (1.2 inches) of ground clearance, starting at 206 mm (8.1 inches). Improved approach (20 degrees), departure (26 degrees), and breakover (19 degrees) angles have garnered positive early reviews regarding its off-road capabilities.
However, the Q8 e-tron Edition Dakar falls short of competing with more proficient rock-crawling rivals, and its limited 300 mm (12 inches) wading depth restricts water-related off-road activities. Despite these limitations, the edition Dakar presents a visually appealing package with a wider track, standard roof rack, and an optional graphics package limited to 99 cars.
According to Audi, the Q8 e-tron Edition Dakar serves as a precursor to a more formidable off-road SUV, hinting at a potential competitor to upcoming electric models such as the Land Rover Defender.
