New range-topping version of large electric SUV adds genuine off-road ability, without compromising on premium sheen
The new Audi Q8 E-tron edition Dakar comes with eight – eight! – wheels.Have Ingolstadt’s finest developed a new eight-wheel-drive system? Of course not: the special edition of the firm’s biggest electric SUV comes with sets of both off- and on-road tyres, reflecting its intended and likely actual use cases.Inspired by the RS Q e-tron Dakar Rally challenger, the new machine takes the Q8 E-tron 55 quattro – with a 402bhp twin motor powertrain and 106kWh battery – and adds extra off-road ability.It also adds considerable cost: prices will start at around €120,000 (£103,000), compared to £80,300 for a regular model (although that only comes with four wheels…).A limited run of 99 models (all in Mythos Black) will be offered with a bespoke wrap featuring decals inspired by Audi’s Dakar Rally challenger. It’s subtle but looks great – as it should for a €10,000 (£8600) premium.Special design elements ensure the Q8 Dakar looks the part and include a body colour single-frame grille, chunkier wheel arches and a roof rack with a useful load capacity of 40kg – complete with storage bag and straps. But before you plan that expedition to Saudi Arabia (home to the Dakar Rally, because who needs geography?), don’t expect the Q8 e-tron Dakar to offer off-road ability to match a Toyota Land Cruiser or Jeep Wrangler. Instead, Audi has added a soupcon of extra go-anywhere ability without compromising on premium sheen.The air suspension-controlled ride height is raised by 65mm compared to the regular car in most drive modes, and 30mm higher in off-road mode, and the track is marginally wider (mostly to allow for chunky wheel arches) It offers front and rear approach angles of 21 and 28 degrees, a ramp angle of 19 degrees, and a wading depth of 300mm. Then there are the knobbly tyres: M+S rated 18in 265/60 R18 General Grabber AT3, fitted to new-to-Audi 8J x18in rims. But that’s about it: there’s no added underbody protection.The result is a car with a decent level of off-road ability, as demonstrated with an extended and dusty test loop in southern Oman that featured gravel, dust, sand, steep elevation, the odd water crossing and plenty of jagged rocks.The off-road tyres and raised ride height give the car a floaty feel that adds a dash of character missing from the standard version, and at speed on loose gravel it slides around enough to entertain. On steeper sections it maintained composure while the instant access to 490lb ft of electric torque allows you to make short work of steep includes or small boulders, and is easily enough to compensate for the not-insubstantial weight of this big batteried 2.5-tonne behemoth. Features such as Hill Descent Control prove a boon on sharp declines, while Audi also promises an inclinometer display that shows current angle and ground clearance – although this wasn’t available on our late prototype test car. Given the lack of underside protection, that could be useful: our test route took in some very sharp descents across sharp rocks, but behind the wheel you were painfully aware that a wrong move could cause significant damage.Of course, most of these Dakar-branded editions are unlikely to venture far off-road; the toughest incline many will face could well be a speed bump. Thankfully, the Q8 e-tron’s interior remains as comfortable and cosseting as Oman’s landscape can be barren: enough to make you feel you need to brush dust off your shoes before stepping in (even if Audi has added heavy duty floor mats).That’s where the second set of wheels comes in: Q8 e-tron Dakar buyers also receive 20in summer tyres that promise greater comfort and efficiency around town. Given the standard car has a disappointing efficiency of 2.6mpkWh, we’d imagine that would be hit notably by the knobblies. We didn’t get to sample the Q8 e-tron Dakar on summer tyres; in fact, we only drove the car on-road for a few hundred metres, so we can’t definitively judge how much that extra ride height compromises the machine on sealed surfaces. We haven’t given the model a score as a result, but from our brief experience, it was clear that the model retains the refined, smooth drive of the regular Q8, albeit with a more floaty ride due to those larger tyres and the raised ride height. We suspect the summer tyres would bring it close to the regular Q8 e-tron.Due to relatively low volume expectations, the Q8 e-tron Dakar will initially launch in left-hand drive only, with no immediate plans for a UK launch. Audi bosses are considering eventually offering the model in the UK, although much might depend on how popular it proves in the early launch markets. It’s a shame, not just because you can imagine it proving quietly popular over here: it adds a welcome dose of character, fun and genuine ability to an otherwise reserved SUV, albeit at a premium price.
