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The expected 2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron and Q4 E-Tron Sportback Twins were revealed overnight, giving the German brand’s electric vehicle range a much-needed proposition at the more affordable end of the luxury EV segment.
In Great Britain, the offer will start at the equivalent of AU $ 73,000 – which is still unattainable for many, but means a significant decrease in the price of admission to Audi’s electric range, which is due to the full-size E-Tron car valued at US $ 137,100 is available now in Australia.
Specific Australian timing and details have yet to be revealed and in fact the local branch of Audi is telling us that an Australian launch has yet to be confirmed at all. However, we are assured that they are working on it.
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styling
There are few surprises with the look of the Q4 E-Tron, debuting with the same muscular proportions and enclosed grille design found on the larger E-Tron and sleek E-Tron GT sedan.
A full-figure look gives the Q4 E-Tron an imposing presence, with bulging arches and a relatively low ride height, which is tailored to large wheels in each variant.
Specific wheel sizes vary from large 19 inches all the way up to 21 inches. (Depending on the model and wheel size, the brake discs measure between 330 and 358 mm.)
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At the rear, all Q4 E-Tron models have slim taillights with a dashed LED signature light that runs through the tailgate and connects the main lighting units.
In Sportback form – now known across the entire Audi range – the Q4 E-Tron is more coupé-like for those who prefer a mix of all automotive lifestyle trends. No doubt the jacked-up four-door coupé look is in.
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Move inside
The interior view of the Q4 E-Tron models is also a familiar sight, with an almost brutalist approach to the heavily angled dashboard design. Only a handful of interior images have been released so far, but an atmospheric and futuristic look is offered.
A large 10.25-inch digital instrument is fitted as standard behind the steering wheel and is coordinated with a 10.1-inch main display in the center of the dashboard. It’s a small screen by the standards of some models currently in the luxury segment, but a slightly larger 11.6-inch device will be available as an option.
The overall dimensions of the new Q4 E-Tron models were not described in more detail apart from a total length of 4.59 meters – it is thus significantly shorter than the E-Tron’s 4.9 meters. (Which may have led some to call the Q6 E-Tron, compared to the 4.6 m long Q5 SUV …)
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Audi promises “generous” legroom for the rear passengers – thanks to the space-saving advantages of the electrically focused MEB architecture underneath – but concrete figures are still pending. The photos suggest that occupants in the second row will be comfortable – even those who lose out in the middle seat.
However, we know the luggage compartment figures: 520 liters for the station wagon, seats above and 535 liters for the Sportback. Omit the second row in both cases, and those numbers will increase to 1490 and 1460, respectively.
That’s actually cheap compared to the larger Q5 that buyers will be familiar with, which lists 540 liters with the rear seats folded up and expands to 1560 liters when folded.
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Q4 E-Tron performance, performance and range
The Q4 E-Tron range begins with the 35 E-Tron variant in both body styles. The energy is drawn from a 52 kWh (55 kWh gross) battery pack that is matched to a single electric motor that sends 125 kW and 310 Nm to the rear wheels.
Audi claims a 0-100 km / h time of 9.0 seconds for both and a WLTP-certified range of 334 kilometers on a single charge for the estate model. The Sportback driving range has yet to be certified.
Ascent to the Q4 40 E-Tron, the battery grows to 77kWh (82kWh gross). The power is again provided by a single motor, this time sending 150 kW and 310 Nm to the rear wheels to achieve a time of 0-100 km / h of 8.5 seconds. The electric range of the station wagon is given as a huge 508 kilometers.
For now (assuming an RS model arrives) the top shelf variant is the Q4 50 E-Tron Quattro, titled from a twin-engine arrangement.
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The energy comes from a 77 kWh battery with a maximum combined output of 220 kW and 460 Nm via the front and rear motors.
The 50 E-Tron offers part-time all-wheel drive (hence the Quattro in its name) and is mainly RWD, with the front engine only being switched on when needed.
In this RWD arrangement, the rear engine has an output of 150 kW and 310 Nm – just like the 40 E-Tron. But thanks to the availability of this on-demand front engine, the 50 E-Tron achieves a 0-100 km / h time of just 6.2 seconds. A range of 474 km is claimed in the combination model.
Depending on the model, the Q4 E-Tron can carry out a high-speed charging process of up to 100 or 125 kW.
At 125 kW “and under ideal conditions”, an almost empty (5 kWh remaining) battery can be charged to 80 percent in 38 minutes.
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The Q4 E-Tron series will initially be available in four equipment variants: the Sport entry-level model and the sportier-styled and equipped S-Line, followed by Edition 1 and the top shelf Vorsprung – translated from “Vorsprung” der Firmen durch Technik ” , which means something like “progress through technology”.
The equipment highlights of the program include the addition of a Sonos music system – this is the first time the trendy and highly regarded home audio brand is represented in a vehicle.
With 10 loudspeakers – including four bass loudspeakers and a subwoofer – and an eight-channel booster, the 580 W system uses the “Sonamic Panorama” algorithm to create a U-shaped sound stage.
A heat pump is optionally available that heats and cools the interior by using the heat losses from both the electrical components and the outside air temperature. The advantage here is that the cabin climate is maintained without impairing the range.
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The S Line and Edition 1 models are equipped with a sports chassis as standard (in contrast to the sports model, where it is optional), which lowers the body by 15 mm and at the same time offers driver-oriented spring and damper adjustment.
A condition-dependent damper control is optionally available for these models, the lead as standard.
The progressive steering with variable ratio is also available (listed as standard in Great Britain) and its settings can be adjusted via the Audi Drive Select system with the modes Comfort, Auto, Efficiency, Individual and Dynamic as well as a range mode to optimize the system for maximum range.
A highlight for technology fans is a new augmented reality head-up display that superimposes important signals and information in the “real” areas of the field of vision. According to Audi, the images usually seem to hover around 10 meters in front of the driver – and can also appear further away and then to the driver as a visual signal for approaching landmarks and directions.
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When is the Q4 E-Tron coming to Australia?
Audi says an Australian launch for the Q4 E-Tron has yet to be confirmed, suggesting that if (or more likely, when) a local debut happens, it won’t be until sometime in 2022.
MORE: All of the E-Tron stories
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