Audi reveals Q4 e-Tron, timing not confirmed for Australia
The covers have come off the production version of Audi’s long-anticipated Q4 e-Tron electric compact crossover.
But when it goes on-sale in Australia is yet to be confirmed. The local Audi office says it’s definitely wanted here and negotiations to achieve that goal are currently underway, although nothing is confirmed.
The Mercedes-Benz EQA rival has been priced from $76,800 (plus on-road costs) in Australia.
The first Audi battery electric vehicle to be based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB architecture – which also underpins cars such as the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV – the Q4 comes as both the boxier e-Tron SUV and sleeker Sportback e-Tron.
This is a similar strategy to the larger e-Tron, which went on-sale in Australia in 2020.
In Europe, the Q4 e-Tron has been launched as both single- and dual-motor, rear- and all-wheel drive and with two battery pack choices.
Kicking things off is the rear-drive Q35, which is powered by a 125kW/310Nm permanently excited synchronous e-motor mated with a net 52kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The Q40 ups the ante to 150kW/310Nm and uses a larger 77kWh battery.
Topping things off is the Q50, which adds an asynchronous e-motor to the front axle for a combined output of 220kW and 460Nm. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.2 secs, has a top speed of 180km/h and a range of 488km (e-Tron) or 497km (Sportback).
The Q35 accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.0 sec, has a 160km/h top speed and a WLTP range between recharges of 349km. The Q40 accelerates to 100km/h in 8.5 sec, has a 160km/h top speed and has the longest claimed range at 520km.
The 52kWh battery can get up to 7.2kW with alternating current (AC) charging and up to 100kW when using high-power charging with direct current (DC). The 77kWh battery allows for up to 11kW with AC and up to 125 kW with DC.
At its most efficient, Audi says the Q4 can add 130km of charge in about 10 minutes.
The first Audi BEVs to be based on the VW Group’s MEB architecture, the Q4 e-Tron measure up at 4590mm long (Sportback 4588mm), 1865mm wide (ditto) and 1632mm tall (1614mm).
Kerb weights start at 1890kg for the Q35 and top-out at 2140kg for the Q50 Sportback. The Q35 and Q40 have a 1000kg braked towing capacity, while the Q50 ups that to 1200kg.
Underpinning the Q4 is a MacPherson strut front suspension, multi-link rear-end, a choice of 19 to 21-inch alloy wheels and optional sports suspension.
The interior of the Q4 can seat five and claimed luggage storage is 520 litres and 1490 litres (rear seats folded) for the e-tron. The Sportback claims 535 litres and 1460 litres.
Interior highlights include a new dash concept with two digital screens, a new steering wheel with touch sensitive controls and an augmented reality head up display that is optional in Germany.
The Q4 follows the e-Tron and e-Tron GT into production. By 2025 Audi plans to introduce more than 20 all-electric models and to further extend its plug-in hybrid portfolio.
“In 2021 the electric offensive is gaining further momentum at Audi. For the first time, more than half of all models newly launched in one year are electric. In this way we are more than doubling the number of our all-electric models, from three to seven,” said Audi CEO Markus Duesmann.
To be built in Zwickau, Germany, Audi says the Q4 would be delivered to customers with a “neutral carbon balance sheet”, meaning it plans to compensate for any CO2 emissions resulting from its manufacture.
