The Audi Q8 E-tron’s new ‘S line’ appearance package could be its last hurrah

Audi is giving its all-electric Q8 E-tron some premium add-on packages across the lineup as the automaker’s overall EV sales are falling quarter over quarter this year.

The 2025 Audi Q8 E-tron SUV and Sportback now have a “sportier” S line competition appearance package that feels a bit like a parts bin consolidation. It adds body components from the $90,000 SQ8 E-tron, making the vehicle wider, and includes a body-color Singleframe and special 21-inch five-spoke black wheels. It also gets black-painted brake calipers with S branding and door projection lights for the edition.

While the package is only launching in Europe right now, the company is “evaluating” bringing it to the US as well, according to Audi’s product communications manager, Nathan Hoyt.

There is some speculation that the automaker could end production of the vehicles due to a significant drop in demand. CleanTechnica reported Audi’s EV sales were down from 7.411 vehicles in Q4 2023 to 5,714 in Q1 2024. And earlier this year, Car and Driver reported that Audi was considering an early end to the Q8 E-tron’s production. However, Hoyt tells me there are “no plans at this time to end production of the Q8 e-tron.”

The 2025 Q8 E-tron lineup, starting at $74,800, was announced in early July, and it added new standard options, including Homelink buttons and Remote park assist plus that lets you park the car into tight spots while standing outside the vehicle. There’s also a Magnesium package that black out the colors and adds matte gold to the wheels.

The Q8 E-tron’s just announced S line appearance package also adds new carbon fiber components embedded in places like the front air curtains, side view mirrors, and on parts of all four doors. Of course, the real SQ8 E-tron models have the carbon fiber components, too — but only part of the Carbon Style package add-on.

Audi also includes the SQ8 E-tron’s adaptive air suspension sport system with the S line package, giving the regular Q8 E-tron the ability to change the ride height and add dynamic damping control for better comfort.

While the Q8 E-tron’s future is in question, Audi is working to bring the new A6 E-tron series which will likely have better range and a slicker appearance. Audi’s electric vehicle lineup has long had poorer range compared to Tesla, Ford, and Kia. And while Audi’s Porsche Taycan-based E-tron GT is a great effort, it’s far too expensive for a mainstream luxury EV.

Meanwhile, the rest of the industry is in a price-slashing competition, trying to get customers to choose their EV over the other — especially over Tesla (which is struggling to get new buyers).