Despite its Sportback body style, it’s actually more spacious than you might think, with plenty of back seat headroom and more than enough trunk space. It’s also slightly quicker than Audi claims, from 0-62 mph. On the other side, the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback is heavier than you might expect, tipping the scales at 2,118 kg (4,669 lbs), which is a shocking amount for a car of its size.

The driving portion is the most important. That’s the most important thing because if it’s great to drive, all of its issues are forgiven. Unfortunately, for the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, it doesn’t seem to drive all that well, at least not measurably better than the much cheaper VW ID.4.

There are several Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback models. The base powertrain setup is called 40 powered by a single 201-hp electric motor. It is also a rear-wheel drive vehicle. With an electric motor powering each axle, the more powerful all-wheel drive Q4 e-tron 50 and Q4 e-tron Sportback 50 make 295 horsepower. The 0-to-60-time in this case is 6.2 seconds.

The Q4 Sportback 50 e-tron comes with a 77 kWh (net) battery pack delivering an EPA-estimated range of 241 miles. The EPA-estimated energy consumption rating is 36 kWh/100 miles. The maximum charging rate is 9.6 kW (AC)/125 kW (DC). Charging from 0-100 percent on AC at 9.6 kW takes nine hours. Using a DC fast charger, 5-80% charging takes just about 38 minutes.

Here is the video review from Top Gear:

[Source: QuattroDaily]

The post Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback review by Top Gear appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

This upgrade is applied across the board for Q4 e-tron models. The entry-level Audi Q4 e-tron models; the Q4 e-tron 40 and Q4 e-tron 40 Sportback; use a 51.5 kWh battery pack. While pricier models; Q4 e-tron 45, Q4 e-tron 50, and Q4 e-tron 50 Sportback; get a 76.6 kWh battery. With the new upgrade, the smaller battery models will charge from 5-80 percent SOC (State of Charge) in just 29 minutes. While the larger battery models will go from 5-80 percent SOC in 36 minutes.

The software update improves thermal battery management, to allow faster charging without overheating the battery. Without any mechanical changes, it’s interesting that existing vehicles can’t be updated to feature the same thermal management. As of right now, this update is only for Euro-market cars and won’t come to North American cars. So US Q4 e-tron customers will stay at 125 kW.

[Source: QuattroDaily]

The post Europe gets faster charging fro the Audi Q4 e-tron appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

This basic setup still delivers more than adequate performance, enabling the entry-level Q4 E-Tron to reach 60 mph from a standstill in 7.9 seconds and top out at 99 mph. The electric motor gets its necessary juice from an 82-kWh battery pack, but sadly, Audi says details regarding the EPA-certified range will be released at a later date.

Step up to the Q4 50 E-Tron and you’ll pay an extra $6,000, increasing the starting price to $49,900. In exchange for the premium, you’ll be getting a front-mounted electric motor, thus giving the SUV an all-wheel-drive layout. The total output grows to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft, enough for a sprint in 5.8 seconds and a maximum speed of 112 mph.

This one too uses the 82-kWh battery and aims to cover an EPA-estimated 241 miles of range. Logic tells us the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive variant will be slightly more efficient thanks to a marginally lower curb weight, but that remains to be seen. As for the Quattro-equipped model, Audi says it delivers 100/89/81 MPGe (city/highway/combined).

Those looking for a more stylish take on the Q4 E-Tron can opt for the sleeker Sportback model, which is available exclusively with the dual-motor configuration. It has the same acceleration performance and top speed as the conventionally styled model, along with an identical 241-mile range courtesy of the same 82-kWh battery.

Bear in mind the Sportback is the most expensive of the bunch, retailing from $52,700. The different body style makes it $2,800 more expensive than the regular Q4 50 E-Tron even though it’s virtually the same vehicle otherwise. All three flavors of the electric SUV should qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500, but it’s worth noting the starting prices do not include the $1,095 destination charges and the usual fees.

Source: Audi

The post 2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron priced from $43,900 in the US appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

Before we get started, let’s just get this out of the way; this isn’t going to be an exact apples-to-apples comparison for every car. Electric vehicles in the Q4’s price range are not created equal; some are sedans, some are hatchbacks, some are crossovers.

But because EV buyers have such a limited selection, they’re cross-shopping all of them. So even though it might not seem fair that a crossover gets bonus points over a sedan for its practicality, EV customers are going to weigh those factors when searching through their limited choice of EVs.

We’re also going to stick with entry-level prices and specs, as options and packages can be very different and difficult to compare. Since most EV customers’ main concern is always range anyway, we’re just gonna stick with the basics. Additionally, we’ll be using pre-destination prices and excluding any sort of government tax incentives, as some vary.

AUDI Q4 E-TRON

The Audi Q4 e-tron uses a 77 kWh battery pack and a single rear-mounted motor to make 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, so expect a 0-60 mph time of 7.9 seconds. It’s also said to have around 250 miles of range in its entry-level form. Audi says the entry-level Q4 e-tron will start at around $45,000. There will be a dual-motor model coming soon, which will likely start between $50,000-$55,000 and come with 295 horsepower, slightly less range than 250 miles, and a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

VOLKSWAGEN ID.4

Audi’s sibling from Wolfsburg brings its own EV crossover to the fight. The Volkswagen ID.4 starts at $39,995 and has a single rear-mounted electric motor, paired with an 77 kWh net battery pack. The motor makes 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, getting the ID.4 from 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds. It’s essentially a cheaper, less premium Q4 e-tron. It has a max range of 260 miles. The dual-motor all-wheel drive model comes in at under $50,000 and should bring the same 295 horsepower, 249 miles of range, and a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds as the dual-motor Audi.

TESLA MODEL 3

Without question, the most popular EV in the segment is the Tesla Model 3. The entry-level Model 3 is called the “Standard Range Plus” and it comes with a starting price off $39,990. Don’t be fooled by Tesla’s shady marketing that claims it starts at $30,690, because that’s after Tesla factors in the maximum government tax breaks and “gas savings”, which is absurd because its actual starting price is actually very good, so there’s no need to be shady about it. For that money, you get a single rear-mounted motor with 221 horsepower, 302 lb-ft of torque, and a 0-60 mph of 5.3 seconds. Additionally, an 80.5 kWh net battery pack provides 262 miles of range.

However, if you want a bit more miles or better performance, you can choose from either the Long Range ($49,990) or Performance ($56,990). The Model 3 Long Range gets 352 miles of range and a 4.2 seconds 0-60 mph time, while the Model 3 Performance gets 315 miles of range and around a 3.1 seconds 0-60 time.

POLESTAR 2

The Polestar 2 is an out-of-left-field choice but it’s still a good one and in the right price range. It starts at $45,900 and comes with a single front-mounted electric motor (which is unique in this list, as all other single-motor cars are rear-wheel drive), which makes 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft. It has a range of 265 miles and gets from 0-60 mph in a claimed 7.0 seconds. Again, bumping the Polestar 2 to the same price point as the BMW nets you the dual-motor version ($51,200) that gets 402 horsepower, 487 lb-ft of torque, and a 4.5 seconds 0-60 mph time. Though, range drops to 249 miles.

MUSTANG MACH E

The Mustang Mach E wears a starting price of $42,895 and for that you get a net 68 kWh battery pack and a single rear-mounted motor with 266 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. According to Ford, the Mach E can reach 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and achieve 230 miles of range.

Though, if you bump up to the California Route 1 model ($50,400), you get a few extra horses, 290 horsepower to be exact and a 305 mile range. Though, 0-60 drops to 6.1 seconds. The GT model ($59,900) is barely more than what the dual motor Q4 e-tron will be and uses dual motors to make 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, helping it hit 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Though, it only gets 250 miles of range.

BMW i4

The BMW i4 40 is at the pricier end of the segment. The “40” model is the entry level i4 model and it packs a decent amount of power and range for its $55,400 starting price. For that money, you get a four-door sedan, with a hatchback trunk, and a single rear-mounted electric motor that packs 335 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, getting it from 0-60 mph in a claimed 5.7 seconds. Sending the juice to that motor is a 81.5 kWh battery (83.9 kWh gross). Total range is 300 miles, according to BMW.

VERDICT

As you can see, the Audi Q4 e-tron is a bit outgunned in this segment, even with its competitive starting price. For similar money, or even less, you can get quite a few premium EVs that all have more impressive specs than the Q4. While the Audi’s cabin is nice and it’s apparently nice to drive, the same can be said for the Polestar and Mustang Mach E. The Tesla Model 3, while lacking the nice cabin, is also great to drive and has far better specs.

As good as the Audi Q4 e-tron may be, it seems like it’s going to struggle to find sales in an extremely competitive market.

The post Audi Q4 e-tron vs. VW ID.4 vs. Model 3 vs. i4 vs. Polestar 2 vs. Mach E appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

The man in charge at Ingolstadt sat down and had a chat with Autocar about the Q4 models and how Audi is adapting for the inevitable electric era. CEO Markus Duesmann hopes the zero-emissions SUV will become the firm’s best-selling product, but the Four Rings aren’t entirely sure it will happen. Should there be extremely strong demand, the company’s boss says production capacity at the Zwickau plant in Germany can be increased.

However, Audi’s CEO says the firm shouldn’t “stretch too much for lower entry segments” given its premium positioning and the fact the VW Group has quite a few mainstream brands catering to the segment of the market looking for a cheaper EV solution without paying extra for a luxury brand.

Duesmann admitted the expansion of Audi’s EV lineup will come at the expense of vehicles powered by combustion engines as the number of ICE-powered cars will decrease, although not by much. The traditional powertrains won’t be retired in the foreseeable future, even in the Euro 7 era during which it will be more expensive to engineer gasoline and diesel units to meet the stricter emissions regulations.

Audi’s CEO labels plug-in hybrids as “technical overkill” due to the implementation of a combustion engine and an electric motor for a vehicle that still isn’t carbon neutral. It’s why the German automaker is intensifying its EV efforts, but PHEVs are sticking around since “the needs of our subsidiaries and our customers force us to do that.”

During the same interview with Autocar, Duesmann projected battery-related costs are going to decrease by 50% by the middle of the decade. As for the electric motors, they’ll eventually become smaller, more efficient, and cheaper to build, though Audi cautions “it’s not an easy technology” to develop.

As a final note, the CEO admitted it’s unlikely the A1 supermini and Q2 small crossover will get a new generation, but Duesmann vows to remain in this segment with different models. Reading between the lines, he is likely referring to pure electric vehicles.

Source: Autocar

The post Audi hopes Q4 E-Tron electric crossover will become its best-selling model appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

Their designs have been previewed through namesake concepts unveiled in 2019 (Q4 E-Tron) and 2020 (Q4 Sportback E-Tron), so the electric SUVs look pretty much as you’d expect. They do bring extra sophistication over the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq, especially as far as the interior since it looks truly premium and worthy of the Four Rings.

Customers will get to pick from three different drivetrains, kicking off with the rear-wheel-drive base model called “35 e-tron” featuring a single electric motor rated at 170 horsepower (125 kilowatts). The midrange model is known as the “40 e-tron” and ups the power ante to 204 hp (150 kW) while the beefier dual-motor version named “50 e-tron quattro” is getting all-wheel drive with 299 hp (220 kW) on tap.

Go for the AWD-equipped model and the Q4 E-Tron in both regular and Sportback configurations will do 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a decent 6.2 seconds before topping out at an electronically capped 112 mph (180 km/h). The entry-level model is unsurprisingly slower, taking 9 seconds to complete the sprint before reaching 100 mph (160 km/h), while the midrange accelerates half a second quicker while having the same top speed as the base trim.

As far as the battery is concerned, the base model uses a 55-kWh pack with a net capacity of 52 kWh. It enables the electric SUV to cover 212 miles (341 kilometers) in the case of the Q4 E-Tron and 217 miles (349 km) for the Q4 Sportback E-Tron, with both numbers based on the WLTP cycle. Upgrade to the mid-range models and you’ll get a larger 82-kWh battery with a net capacity of 77 kWh, good for 323 miles (520 km) of range.

The dual-motor flagship gets the same 77-kWh as the midrange model, but offers less range as the electric motor added at the front axle increases weight. It will cover 303 miles / 488 km (309 miles / 497 km for Sportback model) before running out of battery juice. Speaking of weight, the 50 e-tron quattro Sportback is the heaviest of the bunch, tipping the scales at 2,140 kilograms (4,718 pounds) without a driver.

If you’re wondering why the Sportback has a slightly longer range than the regular model, it mainly has to do with its more aerodynamic body. The coupe-like SUV features a drag coefficient of just 0.26 whereas the standard Q4 E-Tron has a Cd of 0.28.

Torque is important when talking about electric vehicles because it kicks in instantly as opposed to a combustion engine where the driver has to reach a certain rpm to access the full amount. It stands at 229 pound-feet (310 Newton-meters) in the single-motor versions and reaches a healthy figure of 339 lb-ft (460 Nm) in the Quattro-equipped models.

Audi will sell its electric SUV with 19- to 21-inch wheels, including an aero version featuring black plastic inlays to improve airflow and improve efficiency. The Ingolstadt peeps tout a near-ideal 50:50 weight distribution and impressive practicality for a vehicle of this size, with a cargo area of 520 liters to 1,490 liters for the Q4 E-Tron and 535 to 1,460 liters for its Sportback counterpart. A further 25 liters of storage are spread throughout the cabin.

As previously revealed during the lengthy teaser campaign, the new Audi Q4 models have a fully digital 10.25-inch driver’s display and 10.1-inch MMI infotainment as standard equipment. The touchscreen can be upgraded to a larger 11.6-inch setup and buyers will also be able to order a head-up display with augmented reality tech.

Audi will have the Q4 E-Tron and Q4 Sportback E-Tron on sale in Europe in June, with pricing in Germany kicking off at €41,900, followed by the midrange at €47,500 and the dual-motor version at €52,900. Opt for the Sportback and you’ll pay an extra €2,000.

Source: Audi

2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron

2022 Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron

The post Audi Q4 E-Tron, Q4 Sportback E-Tron debut with 299 hp, 323-mile range appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

A shadowy teaser image shows the silhouettes of the two MEB-based models, which will be mechanically related to the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Skoda Enyaq iV SUVs. Needless to say, the Q4 E-Tron duo is going to be significantly more sophisticated than its mainstream siblings to earn its Four Rings and justify what will certainly be a premium.

In the lead up to the Q4 E-Tron’s official reveal, Audi has been quite generous as far as sharing technical specifications. We know the non-Sportback model will be 4,590 millimeters (15.1 ft) long, 1,865 millimeters (6.1 ft) wide, and 1,613 millimeters (5.3 ft) tall. Thanks to a generous 2.76 meters (9.1 ft) wheelbase, the interior cabin should be as spacious as combustion-engined SUVs from a segment above.

The Sportback will sacrifice some of the rear headroom for a bit more style, and bear in mind the more appealing version is likely going to cost more. If the bigger E-Tron Sportback is any indication, the Q4 Sportback E-Tron might end up slightly more efficient than the standard Q4 E-Tron thanks to a more aerodynamic body.

We’ve already seen in full how the Q4 E-Tron is going to look on the inside, and an educated guess tells us the Sportback will be virtually identical. The fully digital instrument cluster will be standard across the range, complemented by a 10.1- or 11.6-inch touchscreen for the MMI infotainment system. A head-up display with augmented reality support has been confirmed, along with the “Hey, Audi” voice assistant.

The cargo volume for the standard Q4 E-Tron has already been announced at 520 liters (18.4 cubic feet) with the rear seats in place and 1,490 liters (52.6 cubic feet) after folding them. It goes without saying the Sportback’s practicality will take a hit due to the more sloped roofline giving the compact electric SUV a bit of a coupe vibe.

We will have to wait until April 14 for the body wrap to come off and for Audi to talk about the electric motor(s) and battery options available for the Q4 E-Tron models. The two will be followed in 2022 by a bigger Q6 E-Tron riding on the new PPE platform and twinned with the next-generation Porsche Macan EV.

Audi will be launching more than 20 purely electric models by the middle of the decade when it aims to have a significantly more generous lineup of plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Source: Audi

The post 2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron and Q4 E-Tron Sportback teased, debut April 14 appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

Audi is proud to announce that production of the Q4 E-Tron will be carbon-neutral from the very start by making use of renewable energy. The electric SUV’s battery pack will be repurposed at the end of its life cycle, either used in second-life concepts or recycled to serve as a source of raw materials for future production.

Come 2022, Audi will add another purely electric SUV to its portfolio by starting production of the Q6 E-Tron at the factory in Ingolstadt. It will be a sister version of the next-generation Macan as both vehicles are going to ride on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture Audi is developing together with Porsche.

More than 20 purely electric vehicles are planned by Audi to hit the market by the middle of the decade, along with additional plug-in hybrid models. One of the EVs being worked on is the Q4 E-Tron Sportback as a coupe-like alternative to the conventionally styled model featured here.

Both Q4 E-Tron models will be offered in multiple configurations, including a single-motor base model with rear-wheel drive and a beefier dual-motor variant featuring Quattro AWD. Customers will get to pick from 52- and 77-kWh battery packs, with the maximum range estimated at 310 miles (nearly 500 kilometers) on the WLTP cycle.

The interior cabin has already been revealed in full, and since we also have most of the technical specifications, the only piece of the puzzle that’s missing is the exterior design. That said, we already know it won’t stray away too far from the concept. The teasers released so far showed the Q4 E-Tron with a revealing body wrap, thus painting an accurate picture of what to expect from the production model.

Source: Audi

The post 2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron enters production weeks before official reveal appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

But there’s more to the Audi Q4 E-Tron’s cabin than its screen-heavy setup as the steering wheel is also of particular importance. It does away with conventional buttons by using touch-sensitive controls installed on a black panel and with slight protrusions to separate the crop of illuminated buttons from one another. When pressed, the controls provide soft haptic feedback and the driver can also use touch and swipe gestures to navigate through the various functions.

Another highlight of the interior is the generous array of storage compartments offering a total of 24.8 liters (0.9 cubic feet) of volume, plus the 520 liters (18.4 cu ft) behind the rear seats. Fold the bench, which as a 40:20:40 split, and the volume grows to 1,490 liters (52.6 cu ft). For added practicality, Audi is installing an adjustable cargo floor that can be inserted at two height levels. All four door cards can accommodate one-liter bottles, which is fairly rare on a vehicle of this size.

Speaking of dimensions, the Audi Q4 E-Tron is 4,590 millimeters (15.1 ft) long, 1,865 millimeters (6.1 ft) wide, and 1,613 millimeters (5.3 ft) tall, with a wheelbase measuring 2.76 meters (9.1 ft). The interior stretches at 1.83 meters (6.0 ft) in length, prompting Audi to say its size is similar to what you’ll find in a fullsize SUV powered by a combustion engine.

Riding on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform dedicated to electric vehicles, the Audi Q4 E-Tron will be a fancier version of the VW ID.4 and will spawn a sportier-looking Q4 E-Tron Sportback with a coupe-like roofline. Images showing the exterior have also been published today, but the electric SUV is still fully camouflaged with the typical E-Tron wrap, albeit it doesn’t actually hide much.

The exterior styling largely stays true to the Geneva showcar from 2019, which isn’t all that surprising considering the concept already looked almost ready to hit the assembly line. There are some minor changes, such as the bigger side mirrors and subtle tweaks to the closed-off grille, but the production version looks essentially the same.

Audi will unveil the Q4 E-Tron in full next month, with the swoopy Sportback likely not far behind.

Source: Audi

The post Audi Q4 E-Tron interior fully revealed with high-tech features appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

(We don’t own these spy photos but you can check ’em here)

Up front, it clearly borrows its familial e-tron styling, with sharp headlights and a similar grille. However, the rest of the car looks very different from its other e-tron siblings. While those two are much larger and look more like normal SUVs (unfortunately, even SUV “coupes” are normal now), this is far more of a Sportback.

The back end is far more rounded than the other two, with only a tiny lip spoiler to break it up. To be honest, I don’t love the shape. I see a lot of Tesla Model X in the overall profile and that is not a compliment. The production car should have some muscular rear haunches and an aggressive shoulder line to break it up and add some style but the overall shape is not a good one.

Thankfully, the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback should be a very handsome car on the inside. From what we’ve seen from the concept car, the interior will be a lovely place to sit, packed with great tech and loads of space. Also, we’ve read reports of the Volkswagen ID.4 having a very nice cabin, so our hopes are high for the Q4.

Under the skin, the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback is said to have an 82 kWh battery pack, which should make it good for almost 300 miles of range. It should also get just a single electric motor at the rear axle as-standard, with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive option.

We’re very intrigued by the idea of an Audi Q4, as it offers a cheaper alternative to the standard e-tron and allows more Audi customers into the world of EVs. Hopefully Audi can deliver the goods and the Q4 offers a great affordable electric alternative for traditional customers.

The post Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback was Spotted in Camo Again appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.