New Audi models are coming in 2023! The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron and the 2024 Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron have entered production in Audi’s plant in Brussels as of December 14th. This facility has produced about 160,000 units of Audi’s first EV, the e-tron SUV. In 2021, Audi Brussels created 43,866 fully-electric e-tron and e-tron Sportback models.
If these impressive numbers aren’t enough, we expect to see Audi Brussels surpass them in the new year. In addition to the Q8 e-tron models, the Audi Q4 e-tron is set to enter production in late 2023, with around 70 planned to be built daily.
In terms of the Q8 e-tron and Q8 e-tron Sportback, these models are updated versions of the e-tron and e-tron Sportback. Both models will upgrade efficiency, aerodynamics, charging ability, and battery amount. The WLTP range has increased to up to 361 miles in the SUV and as much as 373 miles in the Sportback when using the 115-kWh battery. The standard battery is 92-kWh. Both battery options use cells from Samsung SDI, a change from the previous e-tron, which featured LG cells.
The Brussels facility where these models are produced is a big deal for Audi. Audi looks to it as the perfect example of sustainability. This plant is acknowledged as the world's first certified carbon-neutral high-volume premium production plant. Furthermore, Audi Brussels has used green technology since 2012, proving that their dedication to environmentally-friendly measures is nothing new and goes beyond the cars themselves.
The plant uses a large photovoltaic system, which takes approximately 9,000 megawatt-hours of power, using sustainable energy. This amount of power could charge about 90,000 Q8 e-trons. This will also reduce carbon emissions by 1,881 tons. It's not hard to see why this facility is crucial for Audi. It's also telling about where the future of the brand is heading.
Remember those battery cells we talked about? The companies that supply them are also required only to use renewable energy sources in their production. Additionally, the electric traction motors are transported to Brussels from Györ, Hungary, on green freight trains, which aids in the reduction of carbon emissions by about 2,600 tons per year. So, as you can see, the whole operation is very green-focused, which we strongly feel about.
The SUV and Sportback versions of the Audi Q8 are expected to hit the U.S. market in mid-2023, and we can't wait.
Are you interested in learning more about Audi's electric vehicles? Reach out to us today and Bell Audi! We look forward to helping you discover the best option for you and getting you excited about the future of our brand.
