Audi Q4 e-tron. Beginning of electric vehicle market expansion
The Audi Q4 e-tron is an electric SUV manufactured since 2021 by Audi (member of the VAG Group). The range comprises a coupe version called the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron. It can be equipped with both rear and all-wheel drive. In 2021, the first generation electric SUV entered the market.
The electric vehicle market keeps on expanding. Major car manufacturers have rushed to create separate brands, design flexible platforms, build factories and develop charging infrastructure. This is no longer just a multi-billion dollar pursuit of Tesla, but the creation of a new reality. In 7-10 years, many manufacturers will have a full-fledged line of electric vehicles with a normal drive range, everyone around will start complaining about expensive kilowatt-hours, and we will witness a new era of vehicle electrification.
Being the vanguard of the ‘anti-Tesla’ army, the SUVs are another virus that has struck humanity. Thus, there is the new-born Jaguar I-Pace and the EQ line from Mercedes (which already has the EQC SUV and the recently released EQS luxury sedan). BMW keeps on developing models with the ‘i’ letter (the iX3 SUV was released in 2020). Volkswagen, selling its electric models under the ID nickname, has announced its decision to completely switch to electric cars by 2030, and even the traditionally petrol Porsche introduced the Taycan electric SUV to the world. And what about Audi? According to the company, by 2025, every third Audi will receive the name ‘e-tron’, that is, it will be completely electrified or will be a hybrid. In April 2021, the new electric Q4 e-tron SUV was released. The start of sales of the electric car in Europe is scheduled for early summer, and the more economy Sportback will appear only by the fall of 2021.
The first generation
The 2021 Audi Q4 e-tron is the second electric SUV in the range, founded by the first-born Audi e-tron in 2018 and complemented by the GT sedan just a few months ago. The coupe-like version of the Q4 Sportback e-tron was presented simultaneously with the conventional SUV. The new Q4 e-tron is based on the Volkswagen MEB platform, which is already used for the assembly of electric Skoda Enyaq iV and Volkswagen ID.4 SUVs. The Audi SUV differs from them by design and equipment, but not by powertrains.
The Audi Q4 e-tron is 4,588 mm long, 1,865 mm wide and 1,632 mm high. The wheelbase is 2.76 meters. In terms of length, the new Audi SUV is closer to the Volkswagen ID.4. In terms of dimensions, it is between the Q3 and Q5. The coupe-like version of the Q4 e-tron Sportback is slightly lower than the usual SUV (1,614 mm). The trunk of the Q4 e-tron can hold from 520 to 1,490 liters, whereas the Q4 e-tron Sportback can offer from 535 to 1,460 liters. All-wheel drive versions will be able to tow a 1,200-kg trailer.
The drag coefficient of the new SUV is 0.28 (for Skoda, this figure is 0.27). The coupe-like version of the Q4 Sportback e-tron is slightly more aerodynamic, offering 0.26. But these indicators are not the best: Tesla’s Model Y has 0.23, the newest Mercedes EQS has 0.20 (but it is, however, a sedan).
Modifications
Three modifications are offered for each body type:
Audi Q4 35 e-tron is rear-wheel drive, equipped with a single electric motor generating 170 hp and 310 Nm and a battery pack with a capacity of 55 kilowatt-hours. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 9 seconds, the maximum speed is limited to 160 km/h (there is an electronic limiter). The declared drive range is 341 km for an SUV or 349 km for the Sportback.
Audi Q4 40 e-tron is rear-wheel drive, equipped with a motor generating 204 hp and a battery with a capacity of up to 82 kilowatt-hours. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h occurs in 8.5 seconds, whereas the maximum speed reaches 160 km/h. The drive range reaches up to 520 km. For the coupe-like modification, no individual indicators for the possible drive range have been declared.
Audi Q4 50 e-tron quattro is four-wheel drive, equipped with two electric motors, whereas the rear one generates 204 hp and the front one can produce 109 hp. Together they develop 299 hp and 460 Nm. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, reaching the top speed of 180 km/h. The battery is the same as that of the previous version, but the range is less: Q4 e-tron - 488 km, Q4 Sportback e-tron - 497 km.
Interior and equipment
The interior is roomy. The manufacturer claims that even the top-end models can envy the interior space of the Q4 e-tron. This is partly due to the particularly low floor arrangement of the battery. The second row seats are 7 cm higher than the first and there is enough head-room. You can choose from a large number of design colors: black, steel gray, brown, light beige. The interior is finished with natural and artificial leather, nappa, Dinamica microfiber (45% recycled polyester). There are several options for kicking plates, headliners and armrests, front panel decor (linden with open pores, aluminum in two versions, plastic). There are also different steering wheels options. In top trim levels, the steering wheel is flattened at the top and bottom. The top spokes of the steering wheel have touch-sensitive surfaces with illuminated active buttons and soft feedback. They respond not only to pressing, but also to smartphone gestures (swipe). The petals regulate the regeneration.
According to the company, the operation of the AR-creator required 600,000 lines of code, which is one and a half times more than the program to control the first space shuttle.
A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is standard. The central 10.1-inch 1540×720 touchscreen display features acoustic feedback and handwriting capabilities. As an option, you can install an 11.6-inch screen with a resolution of 1764×824 (this is the largest screen on Audi models so far). Another interesting option is the head-up display with an augmented reality on the windshield, which provides animated prompts (such as moving navigation arrows) at a precisely calculated location on the road. This block, as part of the MIB 3 infotainment platform, takes into account the readings of the GPS, camera, radar and stabilization system. According to the company, the operation of the AR-creator required 600,000 lines of code, which is one and a half times more than the program to control the first space shuttle. In just a split second between the detection of an object by the sensors and the display of an image, the AR Creator manages to adjust the image to the continuously changing position of the car, taking into account the speed and vertical vibrations of the body. The AR Creator can draw on the road in precisely calculated places red virtual marking lines if the car moves towards the adjacent lane without turning on the turn signals.
Edition One electric cars (the so-called welcome series) can be painted in one of two colors: Geyser Blue and Typhoon Gray. They are distinguished by tinted optics, exclusive wheel designs and interior trim. The S-line version has its own suspension, 15 mm lower than the usual one (other versions are available as an option). 19- to 21-inch wheels are available. Each design is designed to improve the aerodynamics of the car.
Trim levels
The basic equipment of the 2021/2022 Audi Q4 e-tron includes adaptive cruise control with active lane control, driver condition monitoring system, emergency braking system. Depending on the level of equipment, the following options are available:
- matrix headlights
- 19-21-inch wheels
- three variants of the multimedia system - MMI, MMI plus and MMI pro - with 10.1- or 11.6-inch screens
- voice assistant that understands natural speech
- virtual cockpit and head-up display with augmented reality technology
- sports suspension with adjustable shock absorbers
- all-round vision system
Approximately 130 km of drive range can be replenished in 10 minutes thanks to the 100 kW charging station. Moreover, the pattern of the optional matrix headlights can be personalized directly from the cab.
