| Audi Q4 e-tron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Audi |
| Model code | F4 |
| Production | March 2021 – present |
| Model years | 2022–present |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer | Amar Vaya[3] underMarc Lichte[4](exterior) Chan Park[3](interior) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact luxurycrossover SUV(D) |
| Body style | 5-doorSUV 5-doorcoupé SUV ("Sportback") |
| Layout | Rear-motor, rear-wheel drive Dual-motor,all-wheel drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group MEB |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Electric motor | APP 310/APP 550permanent magnet synchronous motor (Additionalasynchronous motor in AWD versions) |
| Battery | 52–77 kWh (usable) 55-82kWh (gross) Lithium-Ion |
| Electric range | 341–520 km (212–323 mi) (WLTP) |
| Plug-in charging | 175 kW (82kWh) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,764 mm (108.8 in) |
| Length | 4,588 mm (180.6 in) |
| Width | 1,865 mm (73.4 in) |
| Height | 1,632 mm (64.3 in) |
TheAudi Q4 e-tron is abattery electriccompact luxurycrossover SUV produced byAudi. It is based on Volkswagen Group's electricMEB platform and is the fourth fully-electric model in theAudi e-tron series after theAudi Q8 e-tron (formerly Audi e-tron),e-tron GT andQ2L e-tron. Production began in March 2021,[5] with the production version being unveiled in April 2021.[6][7][8]
The Q4 e-tron is also notable for being the first Audi to be produced in Zwickau since the pre-war era of the company;[9] the town being the original founding location of both the historic Audi company and its predecessor -Horch - before they were merged intoAuto Union in1932.
The Q4 e-tron was first shown as a near-series concept vehicle atGeneva Motor Show in 2019. Positioned in what Audi calls the "heart of the market", the compact SUV segment,[10] its length of 4.58 m (180 in) is slightly shorter than that of theAudi Q5, although Audi claims that the Q4 e-tron offers comparable interior space. With 86 cm (34 in), the front overhangs are relatively short, allowing for awheelbase of 2.76 m (109 in) while maintaining more compact overall dimensions.
Much of the exterior design such as the spoilers in front of the front wheel arches, the rearspoiler or the bars below the headlights was introduced with vehicle aerodynamics in mind. The Q4 e-tron achieves adrag coefficient of 0.26 in the Sportback version, which is worsened to 0.28 for the regular roofline model. Wheel sizes between 19 and 21 inch are offered.
Optional features include anaugmented reality head-up display and an 11.6 in (29 cm) infotainment screen, which can be controlled viavoice commands.[11]
The boot (trunk) holds 520 L of space, which is extended to 1,490 L when folding down the second row seats (40:20:40 split) whereas the Sportback versions obtain 535/1,460 L.
The market launch in Europe is to begin in June 2021, with prices in Germany starting from €41,900 for the base Q4 35 e-tron. The 40 trim is priced beginning from €47,500 and the Q4 50 e-tron quattro from €52,900. In July 2021, Audi began offering a less powerful all-wheel drive version, the 45 e-tron quattro.[12] Sportback models will arrive in late summer and be priced around €2,000 higher.
Two dedicated "Edition" models are available at launch in all drive variants for €6,195 more respectively, offering a blue or grey paint as well as additional exterior changes.
The Q4 e-tron is set to arrive in the US in late 2021 for the 2022model year, with prices beginning from under $45,000.[10] In the US, the entry model will be the Q4 40 e-tron - as such exclusively models using the larger 77 kWh battery pack will be offered in the American market.
The EPA estimated range for the dual motor Q4 50 to be 241 miles (388 km) with a combined highway/city rating of 95MPGe.[13]
For the Chinese market, the Q4 e-tron will be assembled at theFAW-Volkswagen plant inFoshan.[2] The Q4 e-tron Sportback had started production at the Foshan factory in November 2023.[14]
Rear wheel drive (RWD) models make use of a water-cooledbrushlesspermanently excited synchronous motor positioned along the rear axle, producing up to 150 kW (201 hp) of power and 310 N⋅m (230 lb⋅ft) of torque and rotates at a speed of up to 16,000rpm. The motor is coupled to a 1-speed transmission with a fixed gear ratio of 13:1 and typically operates with "substantially greater than 90 percent" efficiency.
The motor, transmission, andpower electronics (DC/AC converter) together form a compact drive unit that weighs around 90 kg (200 lb).
For the all-wheel drivequattro model, a furtherasynchronous motor is positioned at the front axle, providing an additional up to 75 kW (101 hp) of power at a speed of 14,000 rpm when required. In most situations, the front motor is not activated in order to increase overall efficiency. Its 1-speed gear is fixed at a ratio of 10:1 while the rear motor in AWD models operates at a ratio of 11.5:1.
During braking, the rear-wheel drive models canrecuperate energy up to forces of 0.15g and up to 0.3 g in the all-wheel drive models, which equates to up to 145 kW (194 hp) of power. When driving, the vehicle by default is set to coast, with recuperation up to 0.15 g being optional.[15]
The motorsrotor andstator are produced at the Volkswagen Group Components plant inSalzgitter and are assembled inKassel, where the 1-speed transmission is built as well. For the Chinese market, the electric drive components are produced inTianjin.
The battery consists of a liquid-cooledLithium-Ionbattery pack which houses either 10 or 12 modules containing the individualbattery cells in an aluminium casing. The smaller battery holds an energy content of 55/52 kWh, while the larger pack comes in at 82/77 kWh and weights of 350 kg (770 lb) and 500 kg (1,100 lb), respectively.
Whereas the battery system is assembled at Volkswagen Group plants, the Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) battery cells are obtained from suppliers such asLG Energy Solution andCATL. For the Zwickau plant, battery cells pre-assembled into modules atLGsWrocław plant are delivered by train to be assembled into batteries inBraunschweig.[16]
If charged at a public DC fast charger at a rate of 125 kW (168 hp) under ideal conditions, Audi claims that the 82/77 kWh battery pack can charge from 5 to 80 percent in 38 minutes.[15]
Audi Q4 e-tron
| Model | Year | Battery Capacity full/usable [kWh] | Drivetrain | Power [kW] | Torque [N⋅m] | 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) | Top Speed [km/h] | Kerb Weight [kg] | Range (WLTP) | DC Charging [kW] | AC Charging on-board [kW] | Charging duration[17] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 35 e-tron | 2021- | 55 / 52 | RWD | 125 kW (168 hp) | 310 | 9 s | 160 | 1,890 kg (4,170 lb) | 341 km (212 mi) | up to 100 | 7.2 | 100%: 450 minutes (AC 1-phase wall box/charging station 7.2 kW); 80%: 36 minutes (DC charging station 110.0 kW) |
| Q4 40 e-tron | 82 / 77 | 150 kW (200 hp) | 8.5 s | 2,020 kg (4,450 lb) | 520 km (320 mi) | 125 | 11 | 100%: 450 minutes (AC 3-phase wall box/charging station 11.0 kW); 80%: 29 minutes (DC charging station 135.0 kW) | ||||
| Q4 45 e-tron quattro | AWD | 195 kW (261 hp) | 425 | 6.9 s | 180 | 2,210 kg (4,870 lb) | 490 km (300 mi) | 100%: 450 minutes (AC 3-phase wall box/charging station 11.0 kW); 80%: 29 minutes (DC charging station 135.0 kW) | ||||
| Q4 50 e-tron quattro | 220 kW (300 hp) | 460 | 6.2 s | 485 km (301 mi) | 100%: 450 minutes (AC 3-phase wall box/charging station 11.0 kW); 80%: 29 minutes (DC charging station 135.0 kW) |
The Q4 e-tron uses aMacPherson front andfive-link rear suspension.[11]
The RWD models can tow up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) and the AWD up to 1,200 kg (2,600 lb) braked with an optional trailer hitch.
| Test | Points | % |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: |  | |
| Adult occupant: | 35.65 | 93% |
| Child occupant: | 44 | 89% |
| Pedestrian: | 36.14 | 66% |
| Safety assist: | 11.49 | 71% |
| Test | Points | % |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: | | |
| Adult occupant: | 35.7 | 93% |
| Child occupant: | 44 | 89% |
| Pedestrian: | 36.1 | 66% |
| Safety assist: | 12.8 | 80% |
| Test | Points | % |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: | | |
| Adult occupant: | 36.7 | 91% |
| Child occupant: | 43 | 87% |
| Pedestrian: | 49.8 | 79% |
| Safety assist: | 13.2 | 73% |
In December 2022,Bloomberg named the Audi Q4 e-tron as a great alternative to theModel Y fromTesla for consumers upset withElon Musk.[21]
According to Audi, it is using exclusively "eco-electricity" during production of the Q4 e-tron for Europe and the US in Zwickau, and demands the same from its suppliers. Audi also claims that what it considers "unavoidable" emissions during production are mitigated through purchasingcarbon offsets and, based on this, markets the Q4 e-tron as a "net zero carbon emissions"[22] vehicle when handed to European and American customers.[15]
The "Dinamica" microfibre and "Puls" fabric interior options consist of 45 and 50 percent recycled materials, respectively.
