Audi Q4 e-tron
Overview
ManufacturerAudi
ProductionMarch 2021 – present
Model years2022–present
Assembly
DesignerAmar Vaya[3] under Marc Lichte[4] (exterior)
Chan Park[3] (interior)
Body and chassis
ClassCompact luxury crossover SUV (D)
Body style5-door SUV
5-door coupé SUV ("Sportback")
LayoutRear-motor, rear-wheel drive
Dual-motor, all-wheel drive
PlatformVolkswagen Group MEB
Related
Powertrain
Electric motorAPP 310 permanent magnet synchronous motor (Additional asynchronous motor in AWD versions)
Transmission1-speed
Battery52–77 kWh (usable) Lithium-Ion
Electric range341–520 km (212–323 mi) (WLTP)
Plug-in chargingup to 125 kW DC fast charging ( up to 270 kW DC fast charging "Sportback" )
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,764 mm (108.8 in)
Length4,588 mm (180.6 in)
Width1,865 mm (73.4 in)
Height1,632 mm (64.3 in)

The Audi Q4 e-tron is a battery electric compact luxury crossover SUV produced by Audi. It is based on Volkswagen Group's electric MEB platform and is the fourth fully-electric model in the Audi e-tron series after the Audi Q8 e-tron (formerly Audi e-tron), e-tron GT and Q2L e-tron. Production began in March 2021,[5] with the production version being unveiled in April 2021.[6][7][8]

Overview

The Q4 e-tron was first shown as a near-series concept vehicle at Geneva Motor Show in 2019. Positioned in what Audi calls the "heart of the market", the compact SUV segment,[9] its length of 4.58 m (180 in) is slightly shorter than that of the Audi 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 a wheelbase 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 rear spoiler or the bars below the headlights was introduced with vehicle aerodynamics in mind. The Q4 e-tron achieves a drag 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 an augmented reality head-up display and an 11.6 in (29 cm) infotainment screen, which can be controlled via voice commands.[10]

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.

Markets

Europe

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.[11] 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.

North America

The Q4 e-tron is set to arrive in the US in late 2021 for the 2022 model year, with prices beginning from under $45,000.[9] 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 95 MPGe.[12]

China

For the Chinese market, the Q4 e-tron will be assembled at the FAW-Volkswagen plant in Foshan.[2] The Q4 e-tron Sportback had started production at the Foshan factory in November 2023.[13]

Specifications

Powertrain

Rear wheel drive (RWD) models make use of a water-cooled brushless permanently 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 16,000 rpm. 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, and power electronics (DC/AC converter) together form a compact drive unit that weighs around 90 kg (200 lb).

For the all-wheel drive quattro model, a further asynchronous 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 can recuperate energy up to forces of 0.15 g 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.[14]

The motors rotor and stator are produced at the Volkswagen Group Components plant in Salzgitter and are assembled in Kassel, where the 1-speed transmission is built as well. For the Chinese market, the electric drive components are produced in Tianjin.

Battery

The battery consists of a liquid-cooled Lithium-Ion battery pack which houses either 10 or 12 modules containing the individual battery 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 as LG Energy Solution and CATL. For the Zwickau plant, battery cells pre-assembled into modules at LGs Wrocław plant are delivered by train to be assembled into batteries in Braunschweig.[15]

If charged at a public DC fast charger at a rate of 125 kW under ideal conditions, Audi claims that the 82/77 kWh battery pack can charge from 5 to 80 percent in 38 minutes.[14]

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[16]
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)

Suspension

The Q4 e-tron uses a MacPherson front and five-link rear suspension.[10]

Towing

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.

Reviews and reception

In December 2022, Bloomberg named the Audi Q4 e-tron as a great alternative to the Model Y from Tesla for consumers upset with Elon Musk.[17]

Sustainability

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 purchasing carbon offsets and, based on this, markets the Q4 e-tron as a "net zero carbon emissions"[18] vehicle when handed to European and American customers.[14]

The "Dinamica" microfibre and "Puls" fabric interior options consist of 45 and 50 percent recycled materials, respectively.

References

  1. ↑ "Start of production for Audi Q4 e-tron". Audi MediaCenter. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  2. 1 2 "Audi in China". Audi. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Audi Q4 e-tron Concept previewed with design sketchesMarc Lichte's Audi e‑Design". The world of Audi. Formtrends. February 21, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  4. ↑ Zerelles, Bernd (October 5, 2020). "Marc Lichte's Audi e‑Design". The world of Audi. Audi. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Start of production for Audi Q4 e-tron".
  6. ↑ "Audi Q4 E-Tron And Q4 Sportback E-Tron Revealed: Two Cute Compact EVs". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  7. ↑ "New 2021 Audi Q4 e-tron and Sportback revealed: price, specs and release date". carwow.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  8. ↑ "Preview: 2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron arrives with concept car looks, high-tech cabin". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  9. 1 2 "Audi Newsroom: Introducing two all-new fully electric entry models to the Audi brand: the 2022 Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron". media.audiusa.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  10. 1 2 "Audi Q4 e-tron, Q4 Sportback e-tron revealed". Autocar India. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  11. ↑ "Audi releases two more Q4 e-tron variants". electrive.com. 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  12. ↑ "Audi Q4 e-tron Gets Official EPA Range and Efficiency Numbers".
  13. ↑ "Car cutaways". AutoTechInsight. 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  14. 1 2 3 "Electric SUVs in the premium compact segment: the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Q4 Sportback e-tron". Audi MediaCenter. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  15. ↑ "VW transports batteries to Zwickau by train". electrive.com. 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  16. ↑ "Ladeleistung & Ladezeit des Audi Q4 e-tron | Ladesäule & Wallbox". CarWiki.de - Daten, Anleitungen & Ratgeber für Autos (in German). Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  17. ↑ "An EV Buying Guide for People Fed Up With Tesla's Elon Musk". Bloomberg.com. 2022-12-19. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  18. ↑ Florer, John (2023-09-26). "Third Audi Plant Set To Operate With Net Zero Emissions". audispeed.com. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
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