Audi Q4 e-tron and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron revealed | Tesla Model Y rivals from Ingolstadt
The Audi electric lineup has grown by two models with the introduction of the Q4 e-tron which is available in both conventional SUV and coupe-SUV body styles. On offer are two battery packs and three powertrain options with the top-end variants getting a 295bhp dual-motor setup with Quattro AWD. The Q4 e-tron is the first Audi product based on Volkswagen's MEB electric car platform.
Audi Q4 Styling
The Audi Q4 e-tron twins borrow a number of visual cues from its larger e-tron siblings, the front gets a faux hexagonal grille which is flanked by distinct Matrix LED headlights. The sides get a pair of distinct creases that give the Audi Q4 e-tron a butch look displaying its arches. The Sportback model gets a sloping roofline versus the more traditional upright shape of the normal Q4 to show off its coupe-SUV credentials. The rear gets a full-width LED light bar and the skid plate proudly displays the e-tron badging. Buyers will have the options of choosing between eight different colors are the wheel sizes — 19, 20 and 21 inch options.
Audi Q4 Interior
The Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron come standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen with a digital instrument cluster. On option is a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen with the more advanced MMI Plus setup with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. That optional screen is the largest offered on any Audi product to date, it comes with an exclusive "Hey, Audi" voice assistant system and an optional augmented reality head-up display. Q4 e-tron buyers will be able to choose from trim options like open pore wood and aluminum finishing as well as plastic on the base model. The interior will have a choice of either artificial or Nappa leather. Vorsprung models of the Audi Q4 e-tron get Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic glass sunroof, Audi Phonebox wireless handset connectivity and charging and the 10-speaker Sonos surround sound audio upgrade.
Audi Q4 e-tron powertrain and charging
The Audi Q4 e-tron twins get three powertrain options, the range starts with the Q4 e-tron 35 model, which uses a battery with 52kWh that powers a 168bhp electric motor at the rear axle, with 310Nm torque and a WLTP claimed range of 334km. This model does 0-100 in 9 seconds flat. Up next is the Q4 e-tron 40 that gets a larger 77 kWh battery with a range of 508km. This battery powers a more powerful rear motor that develops 201bhp and 310Nm torque for a 0-100 time of 8.5 seconds. At the top of the line-up sits the Q4 e-tron 50 quattro, which gets an additional electric motor driving the front axle and hence makes it AWD. It uses the same 77kWh battery as the Q4 e-tron 40, but its dual-motor system develops 295bhp and 460Nm torque. 0-100kmph time is slashed to 6.2 seconds and a range of 487km is claimed.
The Audi Q4 e-tron has a capability of 125kW charge rate. Audi says around 130km of range can be added in around ten minutes.
Audi Q4 e-tron pricing
The Audi Q4 e-tron twins start at €41,900 (Rs 37.6 lakh, without Indian taxes and duties) in Germany. That makes it a bit more expensive than its sibling EVs, the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Skoda Eniyaq. The Q4 e-tron 40 is priced from €47,500 (Rs 42.6 lakh), while the 50 quattro takes on a €52,900 (Rs 47.5 lakh) price tag. All Sportback versions of the Q4 e-tron carry a premium of Rs 1.8 lakh over the standard SUV for their sportier styling.
There are currently just two luxury EVs present in the Indian market, the Mercedes-Benz EQC and the Jaguar I-Pace. Audi has confirmed that the e-tron and e-tron Sportback will make their way to India soon. It remains to be seen now, if the luxury carmakers will have any plans of bringing their affordable EV offerings to our shores.
