Premium German car manufacturer Audi has strengthened the brand’s compact electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Q4 e-tron model, by adding a new entry-level variant. The fully electric prestige model offers extensive standard equipment, a range of up to 258 miles, and DC charging power of 165kW. With manual battery preconditioning and predictive maintenance reminders, the Audi Q4 40 e-tron ensures even more convenience and ease in everyday driving. This new model with a 63kWh battery is available to order now and of course, there’s also the smart ‘Sportback’ alternative.
This car is new entry point to Audi’s fully electric range, and the extensive equipment offered as standard includes Audi MMI (multi-media interface) ‘navigation plus’ technology, Audi ‘connect’ navigation & infotainment and a fully digital 10.25 inch Audi ‘virtual cockpit’ instrument cluster.
About The Q4 e-tron
The Audi Q4 e-tron was the UK’s second best-selling electric vehicle in 2024, to put it in perspective, including the sleek coupé-style alternative. Further, to broaden the appeal of Audi’s Q4 e-tron family, as well as lower the price point incidentally, Audi is introducing this new version with a smaller 63kWh battery. This enables an electric range of up to 250 miles for the SUV body style and 258 miles for the ‘Sportback’. Obviously, the more powerful, bigger batteries in other models offer still more range. Under ideal conditions, the new variant’s battery’s state of charge increases from 10 to 80 percent in just 24 minutes when charged at a fast-charging station. Up to 93 miles (Sportback: 96 miles) of range can be added to the battery in just 10 minutes. The maximum DC charging power is 165 kW.
This compact SUV boasts striking proportions accentuated by their short front overhangs emphasised by muscular blisters, and by a surface treatment that is clear and pared back but also intersected by super-precise, high definition lines. In the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, the especially low coupé-style roofline ends in an expressively designed rear where the spoiler sits deep on the two-part window.
Skilful design means the Q4 e-tron achieves a drag coefficient of 0.28, and the ‘Sportback’ gets to an even lower figure, with a drag coefficient of 0.26. A key contributor to these impressive figures is the main section of the bodies, with their cabins drawn in sharply towards the rear. The adjustable cooling air inlet in front of the radiator and compressor is another important factor. Supplied by the central lower air inlet, its electric louvre is opened if the major assemblies require cool air, such as when the vehicle is charging, but remains closed in the majority of situations to minimise energy losses caused by air flow through the narrow cooling ducts, adding around four miles to the overall driving range; important over time. Three-dimensional spoilers before the front wheels also optimise the airflow, adding another eight or nine miles to the range, and a partial covering for the control arms of the rear axle gives another boost of just over two miles. It all adds up.
On The Road
Impressively quiet in use, this trustworthy vehicle has room enough inside for five. The Audi Q4 40 e-tron can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 8.1 seconds, hit a top speed of 99mph, and has a combined electric power consumption of 3.9 miles (6.27km)/kWh. At the rear axle, a permanently excited synchronous motor with the equivalent of 201BHP (204PS / 150kW) of power and high efficiency as well as superior power delivery provides the propulsion. The towing capacity of both model variants is 1,000kg at an incline of 12 percent and 1,200kg at an eight-percent incline, for those of you who understand the techniques of towing. There are of course more powerful choices and a ‘quattro’ variant in the Q4 e-tron range.
Underway, the steering is accurate and quick and there’s good body control and a more neutral, firm, cornering balance. This model also handles poor roads and, as mentioned, is really quiet inside, even by today’s electric car standards. On test, the car drove well on the standard sized 19 inch alloy wheels (larger are available) and with the optional sport suspension, the body is 15 millimetres lower. Overall, the car provides a balanced, solid driving experience.
Charging
Charging times are optimised for the Q4 40 e-tron thanks to the intelligent route planner and the automatic battery-preconditioning function connected to it. Drivers who like to plan their charging stops themselves now have the option of manually enabling battery preheating. The manual preconditioning is carried out via the MMI, which shows how many kilowatt are currently available for fast-charging the high-voltage battery and how much additional charging power is available thanks to the preconditioned battery. Manually preconditioning the battery ensures the best possible charging results at every charging station. As with most electric vehicles, power regeneration through braking is part of the battery system.
Thanks to extensive navigation content, drivers can plan their vehicle charging with pinpoint accuracy. Filters can be used to define the desired battery charge level at a destination or to select charging stations from specific providers. The smartphone interface connects a smartphone to the vehicle and seamlessly transfers its content directly to the MMI touch display. Certain content, such as navigation, telephony, music, and selected third-party apps, can be transmitted wirelessly or via a USB-C cable.
Thanks to extensive navigation content, drivers can plan their vehicle charging with pinpoint accuracy. Filters can be used to define the desired battery charge level at a destination or to select charging stations from specific providers. The smartphone interface connects a smartphone to the vehicle and seamlessly transfers its content directly to the MMI touch display. Certain content, such as navigation, telephony, music, and selected third-party apps, can be transmitted wirelessly or via a USB-C cable.
The Premium Interior
This is an Audi so most people will know what to expect. Overall quality feels good and the cabin looks slick and expensive. The Q4’s smart cabin gets two big screens: A 12.3 inch one in front of the driver, which functions as the instrument panel, and a 10.1 inch screen in the centre of the dash (an 11.6 inch screen is optional), angled towards the driver, which runs the Q4’s cabin. Additionally, the prestige German car maker have fitted (joy of joys) some proper and separate, physical heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls. These are mounted below the screen, and are far easier and quicker to use than the touch-sensitive screen.
The interiors of both versions are characterised by a real sense of space and are centred around the striking instrument panel. This is oriented towards the driver and divided into separate areas integrating two displays, the central MMI touch monitor, with acoustic feedback and natural language voice control, and the Audi virtual cockpit. Both of these feature as standard.
Among the many high quality materials and finishes available either as standard or optionally for the Q4 e-tron are upholstery choices in either premium fine Nappa leather or combinations of leather and artificial leather or indeed ‘fully-artificial leather’ and the microfibre material ‘Dinamica’. This looks and feels like suede but is made of recycled polyester from various sources, including textiles and PET bottles. Some upholstery options form part of interior packages that also include additional upgrades to décor, lighting and functionality.
The now ubiquitous ChatGPT is on-board and includes a variety of options that go beyond the previous voice control. With the upgraded voice-operated system, infotainment, navigation and climate settings can be controlled and everyday questions can be asked. Since the information can be requested in normal, ordinary language, driving is safer because the driver can always keep their eyes on the road.
MHH International & Audi
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