Audi's first-ever battery-electric vehicle is getting a new name and a facelift this year.

The German automaker released a teaser photo of the e-tron SUV and the e-tron Sportback cleverly enveloped in a silhouette. Both models will now have the Q8 nameplate added to the e-tron badge once the unveil happens on Nov. 9, 2022. Confused? Hang on.

Although nothing much stands out, what is clear is that the new Q8 e-tron will carry over the pre-facelift e-tron SUV model's cool LED taillights that look like two arrows joined together. Audi's press team did a swell job of blacking out most of the details, but from what we can discern from this adjusted photo, there's a clear distinction in design and purpose between the two models. And if the current e-tron is any indication, the upgrades should see a bump in power output and revised design details.

The midsize crossover used to be called just the “e-tron” until it was joined by the smaller Q2 e-tron, Q4 e-tron and Q5 e-tron crossovers, along with the e-tron GT sedan.

Audi also released a teaser video on Facebook of the 2023 Q8 e-tron that emphasized details like the kink in the C-pillar and the multi-level LED headlights. 

PGA Cars, the distributor of Audi vehicles in the country, is ready to accept reservations for the new Q8 e-tron models as soon as they are launched globally. The current e-tron SUV's price starts at PHP 7.95 million. Two variants are currently available: the 341-km range e-tron 50 Quattro and the range topping 441-km range e-tron 55 Quattro.

Audi's first electric SUV

The original e-tron sport-utility vehicle (SUV) was publicly launched at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, with sales starting the year after.

There is no word yet on any changes to the drivetrain for the Q8 e-tron. The current model has a 95-kWh battery pack that is connected to electric motors on the front and rear axles.

This all-wheel-drive SUV is available in a variety of power outputs, ranging from 312 to 361 PS, with torque going from 540 Nm to 561 Nm. It also has a “boost mode” that pumps up the power in quick bursts.

The base-model e-tron 50 has a maximum range of 336 kilometers, while the e-tron 55 can go up to 417 kilometers. The top-spec e-tron S can do up to 444 kilometers on a single full charge.

Do you think PGA Cars should secure allocation for the new Audi Q8 e-tron?