This Audi Q8 is just great, says RAY MASSEY

Dark and brooding but with clean fastback lines, Audi’s new Q8 Sportback e-tron is a veritable green demon. The powerful four-wheel drive electric crossover has a bold look, but it drives like an angel’s dream and is emission-free.

But it’s not cheap. Prior to the first deliveries this month, I drove the 55 Quattro Launch Edition with a hefty price tag of £99,095.

Two electric motors – one on each axle – develop 405 hp (300 kW), propelling it from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds to a top speed limited to 200 km/h.

Riding on 21-inch wheels, it was fully stocked with an array of comfort and safety features. And it has a sleek interior with the latest digital dashboard technology and navigation.

However, there is almost too much information on the screen to take in at once. A digital de-clutter to reduce potential distractions would help.

The all-around cameras and parking aids came in handy for squeezing a large car into tight spaces. But I still prefer traditional reflective mirrors to the clever “virtual wing mirrors” that use exterior cameras to project an image of the road behind onto screens in the car’s “armpit” between the door hinges and dashboard. I was always looking in the wrong place.

That said, the digital wing mirrors really came into their own as a brilliant tool when I was driving through a torrential downpour on the motorway. The electronic cameras improved my view of the road and the vehicles behind it. There were very useful flashing warnings for approaching vehicles.

In addition, the Q8 e-tron itself proved to be more than up to the really nasty weather.

It was solid, well balanced, grippy and refined through the lashing downpour – and some impromptu wading as I got closer to home. It was a tough test. I had confidence in his abilities. And I was very impressed.

My Q8 e-tron Sportback promises a generous 343 miles of range from its 114 kWh lithium-ion battery, which should allay range anxiety. It only takes half an hour to charge on a fast public DC charger, or overnight on a household charger, as I did.

And should you buy one, the charging cables are stored under the hood, not under the boot floor; lesson learned.

Prices range from £67,800 for the standard entry-level 340PS Q8 50 e-tron SUV, rising to £117,000 for the top-of-the-line 508PS SQ8 Sportback, to follow shortly. Across the range, the Sportback variant adds £2,500 to the price.

After the introductory Launch Edition, there are four trim levels: Sport; S line; Black Edition and Vorspring.

Comfort and safety features on my Limited Edition model include: privacy glass; a panoramic sunroof; exit warning and cross-traffic assist (which does work when reversing out of your driveway); head-up display; adaptive cruise control and lane change assistance; progressive steering; supporting sports sears; and adaptive sports air suspension; and acoustic glazing.

After the introductory Launch Edition, there are four trim levels: Sport; S line; Black Edition and Vorspring

It has a sleek interior with the latest digital dashboard technology and navigation

Two electric motors – one on each axle – develop 405 hp (300 kW), allowing it to go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds and have a top speed limited to 200 km/h

As part of the ‘Vorsprung 2030 plans’, Audi’s current range of eight EV models will expand to 20 by 2026 and be fully electric within ten years

Prices range from £67,800 for the standard entry-level 340PS Q8 50 e-tron SUV, rising to £117,000 for the top of the line 508PS SQ8 Sportback

For other trim levels, depending on the variant, Audi says it has simplified the number of options available on the Q8 e-tron, with two “technology-focused” packs.

• The Technology Pack costs £2,995 and includes a Bang & Olufsen sound system, multi-colour interior lighting package, head-up display, 360-degree camera and Park Assist plus with park assist that allows the Q8 e-tron to park itself with the push and hold of a button.
• The Technology Pack Pro, which costs £5,995, adds exterior ambient lighting that illuminates the grille, four-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, rear USB-C, heated rear seats and an advanced key.
• Tour Pack (£1,995) remains available and includes adaptive cruise with active lane assist, emergency assist, predictive efficiency assist, turn assist and evasion assist.
• City Assist Pack (£1,495) adds Audi rear pre-sense, exit warning, front and rear cross-traffic assist, lane change assistant and park assist with park assist.

Audi’s virtual wing mirrors – using rear-view cameras and internal screens, rather than traditional reflective mirrors, are a £1,750 option.

As part of the ‘Vorsprung 2030 plans’, Audi’s current range of eight EV models will expand to 20 by 2026 and be fully electric within ten years.

Audi UK managing director Andrew Doyle said: ‘Audi established the premium electric SUV market with the e-tron in 2018 and customer interest in the model has grown year on year since then.

“The introduction of the new and improved Q8 e-tron family heralds a new era for Audi.

“It is the first in a series of incredible new products that Audi will bring to market in the coming years and that will continue to set the standard in the world of premium electric mobility.”

VW ID.Buzz is Best Car of the Year

The global jury for Best Car of the Year crowned the VW ID.Buzz as world champion. Toyota’s sporty GR86 took silver and Nissan’s electric Ariya took bronze.

First place: The global jury for Best Car of the Year crowned the VW ID.Buzz as world champion

The international panel of respected and impartial expert judges – including designers, engineers, sports legends and journalists – also named the upwardly mobile Korean car company Genesis (the posh sibling of Kia and Hyundai) the Car Company of the Year for its “exciting and extensive range” . of all-new luxury models’, including the sporty electric GV60.

The Dacia Duster was named best bargain car; MG4 best affordable electric car; Toyota GR86 best affordable sports car, VW’s ID.Buzz Cargo best van; and the Citroën AMI best four-wheeler.

Upwardly mobile: Korean car company Genesis was Car Company of the Year for its “exciting and comprehensive range of all-new luxury models,” including the sporty electric GV60 (pictured)

The winners will appear at this year’s British Motor Show (thebritishmotorshow.live) in Farnborough in August.

Government has no ‘current plans for road pricing’

Commentary: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt

Fans of TV political satire – or should that be a documentary – The Thick Of It will be delighted to hear Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s words about the prospect of the government introducing pay-as-you-go road pricing.

This would be a way to fill the multibillion-pound tax black hole as petrol and diesel cars disappear (and with them all those fuel duties and VAT collected at the pumps) amid the shift to zero-emission electric power.

In his written interview with Iain Stewart, the chairman of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, Mr Hunt stressed: ‘The government has no plans at present to consider road pricing.’

According to some, this meant that ministers had completely abandoned the idea.

But notice that keyword: “currently.”

The Thick Of It’s curse spin doctor Malcolm Tucker would be proud.