At Volkswagen they are likely to have become somewhat restless in view of what Hyundai is currently rolling out on the market. With their 800-volt technology, their electric cars set standards for charging on this side of the luxury class, and Volkswagen has nothing of the same value in this regard with the relatively new modular electrical construction kit. That will not change anytime soon, on this basis the group must temporarily survive in the market. A recipe that has been quite successful in the past has been to offer the same technology in different packaging. That is why the Audi Q4 e-tron follows the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq. Fans of the Seat shell will be served this year.
Of course, in keeping with the spirit of the times, Audi relies on a beefy design for the Q4 e-tron – graceful shapes have not been in demand for a long time. The customer can choose between an SUV and an SUV coupé. In the latter, the bulging rear section is a little reminiscent of the Honda Civic. Was such a quote really necessary? It’s up to the target group. At 4.59 meters, the Q4 e-tron is slightly longer than a VW ID.4, while the Skoda Enyaq is slightly longer at 4.65 meters. Within the Audi hierarchy, it lies pretty much exactly between Q3 and Q5.
Drives and cargo
Initially, three versions are planned, the technical key data of which do not differ from the other group models. The most astonishing thing is that Audi uses the smallest of the three batteries currently available for the entry-level model. Since the difference is only a few kWh, it only plays a subordinate role. For many interested parties, a higher charging speed would probably be much more important, although one shouldn’t be blinded by the peak value alone: the decisive factor is how long and at what speed can be recharged. In the e-tron, Audi has already proven that it can go very quickly even with “only” 150 kW charging power.
|
Q4 35 e-tron |
Q4 40 e-tron |
Q4 50 e-tron |
|
|
Rear engine power in kW |
150 |
||
|
Front engine power in kW |
– |
70 |
|
|
Energiegehalt Batteries in net kWh |
52 |
77 |
|
|
Ladeleistung AC in kW |
7,4 |
11 |
|
|
Ladeleistung DC in kW |
100 |
125 |
|
In the top model, the driver can therefore fall back on 220 kW – 299 hp in the old currency – and all-wheel drive. If that’s not enough for you, you can hope: At Volkswagen, people are thinking hard about offering even more performance on this basis. Perhaps, and it is really nothing more than speculation at the moment, the group will then, at least in this area of its self-proclaimed premium brand, leave room for differentiation from the other offshoots. The top speed of the Q4 e-tron planned for launch is 180 km / h.
Fine wallpapering
In one area, Audi can and must set itself apart from the other models in the group. That’s how it is: the interior of the Q4 e-tron is visibly and tangibly finely lined than in VW or Skoda. This is what customers expect, after all, they put a few thousand euros more on the table for a technically identical vehicle. There are also differences in the operating concept: VW and Skoda relocate the control of almost all functions to the screen, Audi affords buttons for the automatic air conditioning. The brand is also going its own way with the supplier of the sound system: Sonos has a good reputation for home electronics, whether this is also confirmed in the car remains to be seen. Many a well-known name has suffered from the specifications of the vehicle manufacturer.
Prices above the competition
With an entry-level price of 41,900 euros for the Audi Q4 35 e-tron, the brand is once again demonstrating its basic trust in its own attraction. A surcharge of 2000 euros is due for the coupé. VW and even more so Skoda are significantly lower with ID.4 and Enyaq. On the other hand, that also means: For the price of the basic Q4, you get almost the large expansion stage of the battery and motor in the Skoda. And at Hyundai the Ioniq 5. At least there is no need for Audi to worry about sufficient competition.
(mfz)
.
