Audi Q4 e-Tron gets sleek Sportback treatment

Audi has given its upcoming Q4 e-Tron all-electric SUV an extra dose of emotion as the fight for the sub-$100K EV dollar heats up with a Sportback model that will become a production reality in 2021.

In line with other Audi Sportbacks, the Q4 e-Tron Sportback – seen for now in concept form – trades boot space and rear headroom for a sleeker look.

Audi design chief Marc Lichte describes the Q4 e-Tron Sportback concept as having a “very, very, very fast roofline”, which runs into a spoiler that splits the sloped tailgate glass.

Expect the production car that arrives in 2021 to closely mimic the concept, right down to the “inverted” grille that has a contrasting lighter colour as a design reminder that it’s an EV.

“The spoiler is reducing the drag coefficient by a few percent … which means more range,” Lichte says of a car that will compete with the Tesla Model Y.

The Q4 e-Tron Sportback has a coefficient of drag of 0.26, marginally better than the 0.27 of the regular Q4 e-Tron that is expected to sell from about $90,000.

Audi chairman Markus Duesmann says the Q4 e-Tron Sportback is part of a broader plan that involves “supercharging our brand with super emotional products and redefining our portfolio”.

It includes the recently announced Artemis project designed to shorten development times and bring new technologies to market sooner.

Duesmann describes the Q4 e-Tron as among the most important within a growing Audi EV portfolio.

It is produced on the Volkswagen Group’s modular electrification platform (MEB) that also underpins the regular Audi e-Tron – a larger SUV than the Q4 e-Tron.

“Q4 e-Tron along with the Sportback version will be our first premium electric volume SUV and a gateway to the progressive premium segment.”

“Progressive premium” could easily be regarded as the “Tesla segment” that has changed the dynamic of the luxury market and created a loyal following with those yearning for technology delivered in an easily digestible (call it Apple-esque) way.

It’s also forced traditional luxury players to fast track their electric car plans.

Beneath the skin the Q4 e-Tron Sportback shares its electrical drive system with the regular Q4 e-Tron.

Two electric motors combine to make 225kW, good enough for a 6.3-second 0-100km/h dash.

A larger 150kW/310Nm motor drives the rear wheels and provides most of the muscle most of the time.

A smaller 75kW/150Nm motor adds drive to the rear when additional punch is required and for extra traction.

An 82kWh battery pack lines the floor and is claimed to deliver north of 450km of range, according to the WLTP test cycle.

It can be CD fast charged at up to 125kW, allowing an 80 percent charge in 30 minutes.

A rear-drive model uses the same basic layout but does without the front motor, therefore reducing weight and increasing the driving range by about 10 percent, to more than 500km.

The Q4 e-Tron Sportback is only the tip of a long journey for Audi as it plays catchup with electric vehicles.

Audi also believes it needs to spread to other segments and play more on the emotional side of vehicle design and engineering.

“We are also looking into new options such as new convertibles or new models in the C and D SUV segments,” said Duesmann.