Verdict
At RM474,990, the Audi saves RM24,010 and its RM545 annual road tax is far below the Lotus’s RM1,440, while both claim 600 km and use twin motors with all-wheel drive. The Eletre answers with 603 hp, a 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 350 kW DC charging and a 688-litre boot; its 800V architecture is a serious advantage on suitable fast chargers. The Audi’s 114-kWh battery, standard air suspension and 528-litre boot suit buyers prioritising lower outlay. Choose the Lotus for pace, charging speed and space.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback if you want the lower purchase and annual road-tax bill, plus air suspension and the same claimed 600-km range.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you want 603 hp, 350 kW DC charging, a 688-litre boot and a much quicker 4.5-second sprint.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback RM474,990; Lotus Eletre RM499,000.
- Motor output: Audi 402 hp and 664 Nm; Lotus 603 hp and 710 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi 5.6 seconds; Lotus 4.5 seconds.
- DC charging: Audi 170 kW; Lotus 350 kW.
- Boot space: Audi 528 litres; Lotus 688 litres.
- Annual road tax: Audi RM545; Lotus RM1,440.
Q8 e-tron Sportback
- RM24,010 lower purchase price and RM895 lower annual road tax.
- 114-kWh battery with the same claimed 600-km range.
- Multi-link air suspension front and rear, plus a five-star Euro NCAP rating.
- 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Lotus by 1.1 seconds.
- 170 kW DC charging is 180 kW below the Lotus.
- 528-litre boot is 160 litres smaller, and the manufacturer warranty is two years versus five.
Eletre
- 603 hp and 710 Nm from its twin-motor AWD system.
- 350 kW DC charging and 800V architecture.
- 688-litre boot, 15.1-inch touchscreen, head-up display and 15-speaker KEF Reference audio.
- Costs RM24,010 more and annual road tax is RM895 higher.
- 112-kWh battery capacity is 2 kWh below the Audi’s 114 kWh.
- Uses multi-link suspension without the Audi’s listed front and rear air suspension.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM474,990✓ | RM499,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545✓ | RM1,440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp | 603 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm | 710 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 114 kWh✓ | 112 kWh |
| EV Range | 600 km | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 170 kW | 350 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-speed automatic transmission | — |
| Gears | 2 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 4.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 258 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 5,103 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 2,135 mm |
| Height | 1,619 mm | 1,630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 3,019 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,490 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 528 litres | 688 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R21 | 255/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R21 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Michelin Pilot Sport EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Aero Alloy Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Aero Alloy Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 10 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Audi pre sense front | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V Front, 1x front wireless charger, 2x USB-C rear, 1x 12V socket rear | 2 USB-C front, 2 USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual Rear Door Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with Surround View |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Q8 e-tron Sportback & Eletre for sale
Q8 e-tron Sportback vs Eletre FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback or Lotus Eletre better?
The Lotus Eletre is better for outright performance, rapid DC charging and luggage capacity, with 603 hp, 350 kW charging and a 688-litre boot. The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback is the better cost-conscious choice, with identical claimed 600-km range, lower road tax and air suspension.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM24,010 more than the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback. Its annual road tax is also RM895 higher, at RM1,440 versus RM545.
Which SUV charges faster?
The Lotus Eletre charges faster on DC power, with a 350 kW maximum against the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback’s 170 kW. Both support 22 kW AC charging.
