Want a 496bhp Audi SQ8 e-tron? That’ll be £100k, please

Fresh from driving the new SQ8 e-tron earlier this year, Audi has now confirmed exactly what spec we’ll get on UK cars when deliveries begin this summer.

And the details are… eyebrow-raising. Not so much the figures; we’ve had three months to digest the fact that the entry-level Black Edition car will cost £97,500, while the Sportback variant is a solid £100k.

No, what’s surprising is that - having forked out six figures (or close to it) for your mightily powerful electric wagon - Audi wants you to stump up another £1,995 for adaptive cruise control. Seriously.

That’s woven into the firm’s Tour Pack, which bundles stuff like lane assistance and some safety gear. There are two others to choose from: City Assist Pack (1,125) weaves in more safety gear and parking assistance kit, while the S Technology Pack pro (£2,595) brings premium touches like an illuminated grille, a pano sunroof, heated back seats and - brace yourself - a USB-C in the rear. Audi, you spoil us.

So what’s standard? Adaptive air suspension first and foremost, plus 21in alloys, quattro all-wheel drive, a 360-degree camera, rear privacy glass, a multi-function steering wheel, four-zone climate control, an HUD, Audi’s virtual cockpit, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and exterior details that are specific to the S version of the Q8 e-tron.

Meanwhile the top-spec Vorsprung model (the SUV’s £114,500, the Sportback’s £117k) gains 22in wheels, matrix headlights, power-closing doors, adaptive wipers, a heated steering wheel, more interior leather, integrated rear-window sunblinds and (almost mercifully) all three of the packs mentioned above.

“We’ve already seen huge interest and demand for our new Q8 e-tron model lineup with its introduction to the UK market back in March,” said Andrew Doyle, Audi UK’s director. “The arrival of the SQ8 e-tron completes our new-look electric flagship model range and sets a new benchmark for performance and driving dynamics in the segment.”

You certainly won’t be short of power: the SQ8 e-tron employs a tri-motor setup for 496bhp and 718lb ft of torque, 0-62mph taking just 4.5 seconds.

All models get that massive 106kWh battery (that’s the useable capacity, in total it’s actually 114kWh) which is good for 269 and 276 miles of range in the SUV and Sportback respectively.

Wondering why Audi can’t breach 300 miles with so many cells at its disposal? By the time you’ve clambered into the driver’s seat you’ll be pushing the scales beyond 2.7 tonnes. Which is a lot of Audi.