Verdict
The Lotus Eletre is the faster, roomier choice: 603 hp and 710 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time to 4.5 seconds, while its 688-litre boot beats the Audi’s 528 litres. Its 350 kW DC rate also doubles down on charging hardware. But both claim 600 km of range and 22 kW AC charging. For Malaysian running costs, the Audi’s RM545 annual road tax is far easier to swallow than the Lotus’ RM1,440, and its air suspension plus 5-star Euro NCAP rating make a strong case for the less extrovert route.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback if lower RM545 annual road tax, air suspension and a 5-star Euro NCAP rating matter more than outright pace.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you want 603 hp performance, a 350 kW DC charging rate, a 688-litre boot and five years of manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- 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 rate: Audi 170 kW; Lotus 350 kW.
- Boot space: Audi 528 litres; Lotus 688 litres.
- Annual road tax: Audi RM545; Lotus RM1,440.
- Manufacturer warranty: Audi two years/unlimited mileage; Lotus five years/150,000 km.
Q8 e-tron Sportback
- RM545 annual road tax versus RM1,440
- Multi-link air suspension front and rear
- 5-star Euro NCAP rating and space-saver spare tyre
- Slower 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.5 seconds
- 170 kW DC charging rate trails the Lotus’ 350 kW
- 528-litre boot is 160 litres smaller
Eletre
- 603 hp and 710 Nm from two motors
- 350 kW DC charging and 800V architecture
- 688-litre boot, head-up display and 15-speaker KEF Reference audio
- RM1,440 annual road tax is RM895 higher
- No Euro NCAP rating stated
- No air suspension or spare tyre listed
| 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 performance, DC charging and luggage capacity, with 603 hp, 350 kW charging and a 688-litre boot. Choose the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback for much lower annual road tax, air suspension and its 5-star Euro NCAP rating.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM24,010 more than the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback: RM499,000 against RM474,990.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback is cheaper to tax, at RM545 per year. The Lotus Eletre costs RM1,440 per year, a RM895 difference.