Volkswagen has the ID4, Skoda the Enyaq iV and Audi is now adding the technically similar Q4 e-tron to its delivery range. It does not stop there, the electric Q4 e-tron immediately gets a little brother: the Q4 Sportback e-tron! The Q4s will be available at Dutch dealers later this year. The first prizes are Audi’s new electric SUVs have also been announced.
Highlights
- Audi’s first MEB model
- As Q4 and as Q4 Sportback
- Three electric powertrains
- From June in the Netherlands, Sportback will follow later
- Prices known
Audi is pulling the curtain on not one, but two new electric SUVs in one smooth movement. These are the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, electric high-legged ones that, like the Skoda Enyaq iV, Volkswagen ID4 and ID3 and soon many other electric Volkswagen products, will be on the modular MEB platform. The fact that the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron simultaneously made their public debut is somewhat striking. After all, there was more than a year between the two’s conceptual precursors and normally Audi introduces the Sportback variant of a new model about a year later after the launch of the more conventionally lined version.
However, the fact that the Q4s are well-known doesn’t make them any less interesting. Both the regular Q4 e-tron and ‘coupé brother’ Q4 Sportback e-tron are, just like the Volkswagen ID4, 4.59 meters long and have a wheelbase equal to that of the electric Volkswagen at 2.77 meters.
Audi Q4 e-tron
Powertrains
It should come as no surprise that the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron will be available with well-known electric powertrains. The entry-level version of the electric SUVs, for example, is the 35 e-tron with a 170 hp and 310 Nm strong electric motor on the rear axle. The electric motor draws its zest for life from a 52 kWh battery pack. The Q4 e-tron thus scores a WLTP range of 341 kilometers, the Q4 Sportback comes a little further with a range of 349 kilometers. Both versions sprint in 9 counts to a speed of 100 km / h and can pull up to 1,000 kilos. The 52 kWh battery can be charged up to 7.4 kW (AC) and can fast charge up to 100 kW. This entry-level Q4 puts about 1,890 kilos in the scale.
Higher up the power ladder are the rear-wheel drive Q4’s 40 e-tron, which have a 204 hp and 410 Nm strong electric motor. The 40 e-trons immediately have the larger 77 kWh battery pack with which the regular Q4 e-tron can travel 520 kilometers. The Q4 Sportback e-tron is expected to even reach a WLTP range of 528 kilometers. Both Q4s sprint as a 40 e-tron in 8.5 seconds to a speed of 100 km / h and, like the 35 e-trons, can pull a maximum of 1,000 kilos. The 77 kWh battery can be charged on a regular AC charger with 11 kW and can with a DC fast charger up to 125 kW charging power. The weight of this middle version is about 2 tons.
Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron
The provisional top version of the Q4’s e-tron is the 50 e-tron Quattro. Thanks to two electric motors, this four-wheel drive variant has a 110 hp unit at the rear thanks to a 204 hp electric motor for a system power of 299 hp and 460 Nm, good for a sprint from a standstill to a speed of 100 km / h in 6.2 counts. This version also has the 77 kWh battery, but the 50 e-tron Quattro does not go as far as it is due to its more powerful electric motors. The Q4 e-tron achieves a range of 488 kilometers as the 50 e-tron Quattro, the Sportback variant squeezes 497 electric WLTP kilometers from the package. With this version you can pull up to 1,200 kilos. The 50 e-tron Quattro weighs 2,140 kilos. The top speed is set to 180 km / h, the 35 and 40 e-trons kick it to 160 km / h.
It is somewhat striking that the strongest version of the Q4’s e-tron is 299 hp, as the Volkswagen ID4 and Skoda Enyaq iV will eventually get a 306 hp top version. 299 hp, however, is a value that we at Audi also see with the 50 TFSI engines, perhaps that has played a role. Audi tells Techzle that it will figure out during the life cycle of the Q4 e-tron whether it also comes with a heavy RS version, the Q3 and Q3 Sportback also have versions with that magical two-letter combination, the same applies to the E-tron GT . Interesting is the turning circle of the Q4’s e-tron, which is 10.1 meters smaller than that of Audi’s smallest model: the A1 Sportback.
Versions with the S line package include a sports suspension that puts the electric SUVs 1.5 centimeters closer to the asphalt. It is also possible to choose from various driving modes using Audi Drive Select, standard on the Q4 Sportback e-tron. Also optional is progressive power steering.
Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron
Exterior
The Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback are quite similar to their conceptual predecessors. The body shape of the Sportback gives the car an aerodynamic advantage. The cW value of the Q4 e-tron is 0.28, while the Q4 Sportback e-tron has a value of 0.26 here. As is popular today, the Q4’s e-tron have two-layer lighting. The top layer contains the LED daytime running lights, the LED headlights are directly below and optically fuse somewhat with the black ‘mask’ that characterizes Audi’s electric models from the front. More noticeable things: the Q4 Sportback e-tron has a rear spoiler that divides the rear window in two. A red Audi logo is visible in the rear lights of both versions, which are made up of segments. LED headlights are standard, LED matrix viewers are an option. Something special is going on with the matrix units. They have adjustable LED daytime running lights. You do not have complete freedom of movement, you can choose from four different light signatures. Those who order the more expensive headlights also receive a light strip that actually connects the rear lights. Alloy is available in sizes 19 to 21 inches.
Interior and gadgets
The Q4s, like its electric nieces and nephews, benefit from the advantages of a dedicated platform for EVs. For example, the pair promises to be quite spacious thanks to their large wheelbase and flat floor. The luggage compartment of the regular Q4 e-tron has a capacity of 520 liters, the Sportback version consumes 535 liters remarkably enough. If you throw the rear seat flat, the Sportback version wins with 1,460 liters against its brother with less steeply sloping roofline (1,490 liters). The interior space itself is comparable to that of its largest SUV, the Q7, according to Audi. In addition, the brand proudly proclaims that you can store a 1.5 liter bottle high in the front door panels. The total storage space is just under 25 liters.
The interior of the Q4’s e-tron is completely Audi 2021 and optically provides few surprises. Audi does, however, more than in any other model finishes things with recycled materials. For example, the seat upholstery in the S line versions is made of more than 80 percent recycled PET bottles. Incidentally, various hidden parts are also made of recycled plastics, a total of 27 components.
Audi optionally equips its first MEB model with the Virtual Cockpit and the SUVs are available with a head-up display that uses AR technology. It projects information to the driver as if it were about ten meters down the road. The system indicates, among other things, the lane to be followed ‘on the road’ and is in the same way able to indicate which bend you should take. Of course there are again various types of infotainment systems available. The version with the most extensive functions is 11.6 inches in size and is thus even larger than that in the E-tron GT (10.1 inches). Audi says it wants to offer 80 percent fewer individual options and has accommodated the majority of its extras in three packages with one overarching package of safety systems. A salient detail for the Audi connoisseur: from now on Sonis is the partner who hooks up the brand for the sound system. This used to be Bang & Olufsen.
Thanks to the optional Adaptive Cruise Assist, the Q4 e-tron can be kept neatly in the middle of the lane, while the SUV also keeps a distance from the vehicles in front.
Prices and availability
The Audi Q4 e-tron has a provisional starting price of € 48,295. That amount is for the 170 hp Q4 35 e-tron as Launch Edition. The 204 hp Q4 40 e-tron must yield a minimum of € 52,815 as a Launch Edition. The first copies are expected to be delivered in June. The prices of the 299 hp powerful Q4 50 e-tron will follow later, the same applies to the prices of the Q4 Sportback e-tron to be marketed after the Q4 e-tron. You can find all prices of the Q4 e-tron here.
E-tron: the future
Audi’s line of electric e-tron models is growing steadily. The simply E-tron and E-tron Sportback SUVs have been around for a while, but contrary to what you might expect, they are not so-called dedicated EVs. The two are in fact on a version of the MLBevo platform that is suitable for electric powertrains, which also serves under cars such as the A6. Since this year, Audi also has the Porsche Taycan-related E-tron GT on the menu, a sporty electric GT that uses Porsche’s J1 base. The Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron are the latest, but certainly not the last electrical additions to the Audi range. For example, Audi is introducing a series of electric models that will be placed on the PPE platform developed together with Porsche. Next year, Audi will pull the curtain off the Q6 e-tron, a new electric SUV that will be the first Audi on that new platform. Incidentally, Porsche comes with an electric Macan on that platform.