Electrification is inevitable and is very much the future of transportation. Audi has planned out a pipeline to make this transition smooth. Their plan to bring out 20 all-electric offerings in the next 5 years is a testimony to this commitment. Audi has already given us the e-tron and e-tron Sportback which has kick-started the electric line-up of this German Automaker in the US.
The next one to join its list is the Audi Q4 e-tron, which will also be the cheapest all-electric offering at launch. The 2021 Q4 e-tron is also one of the first batches of electric vehicles from Audi to use the modular MEB platform from Volkswagen. This 4-seater compact SUV will also be followed by a faster Q4 e-tron Sportback at a later stage.
By the shared technology used in this Audi, it will have the dynamics of the recently launched Volkswagen ID.4 and its success will give us a vague idea of how people will perceive the electric revolution from a German Perspective. The 2021 Audi Q4 e-tron takes on the likes of Tesla Model Y and Volvo XC40 Rechange. It can also be closely compared to the gasoline-counterparts including Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Volvo XC40.
The 2021 Audi Q4 e-tron is the smallest all-electric SUV from the German Marque and starts with an MSRP of $45,000.
Pricing And Trims
Audi is quite tight-lipped about the pricing and trim levels of the Q4 e-Tron. But they did pitch in the pricing of the base trim which is at an MSRP of $45,000. Now, keeping in mind the standard trim-level split-up of other cars from Audi, we also expect the 2021 Q4 e-tron to come in 3 trim levels - Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.
While the pricing o the Premium trim has been confirmed, we expect Premium Plus to start from $50,000 and the Prestige from $55,000. All 3 of them will be equally well worth the asking price as Audi has a good track record of packing its offerings with keenly laid out comfort and technology features like heated and massage seats and a 12.3-inch MMI interface.
Powertrain And Electric Performance
The 2021 Audi Q4 e-tron packs two electric motors, one for each axle, and is coupled to a floor-mounted 82-kWh Li-Ion battery pack. The power and torque curve is more rear-biased as the rear motor churns out 204 hp and 299 lb-ft, whereas the front motor produces a healthy 102 hp and 111 lb-ft. This makes it a total o 306 hp and 340 lb-ft. These figures might look nominal by gasoline standards. All of this power is transferred to all 4 wheels via an automatic single-drive gearbox.
But when you remind yourself of the fact that this electric powertrain has the blessing of instant torque, you will be addicted to the silent surge it provides, all the time, every time. This allows for the Q4 e-tron to have an adaptive AWD system that enables it to do 0-60 mph in a swift 6.2 seconds. But as Audi is always very modest when it comes to acceleration figures of its cars, expect this electric car to do the feat in close to the mid-5 second mark.
Charging Time And Driving Range
The floor-mounted 82-kWh battery pack has a lot more advantages than just providing juice. Well, literally it doesn't do anything more, but the lower position and flat layout help lower the center of gravity of this SUV. This helps it behave more like a sure-footed sedan than a swaying SUV. Audi assures us that the Q4 e-Tron can travel up to 280 miles on a single charge. Not the most 'wow' figures but is quite commendable given the fact that this is Audi's fresh foray into the world of electrification.
Another added perk is the fast charging technology it can make use of which helps the battery to juice up from 0 to 80% in just 30 minutes. Still doesn't give you the practicality of a gasoline-powered car, but there are strides for sure. Tesla still remains the king to beat as the Model Y churns out 316 miles easily from a smaller 75 kWh battery pack.
Minimal And Tech-Laden Interior
The cabin sure vibes well with the futuristic approach that Audi has applied for its range of e-tron badged offerings. To keep a tap on the curb weight, the dashboard is made of Flexiglass that looks upmarket, has a translucent effect, and appeals to a sculpted and clean look. The dashboard is driver-focused and comprised of screens and possibly the most futuristic-looking air-con vents!
The seats are well contoured and you get sport seats as standard. As mentioned earlier, heated and massaging seats are mostly making it even to the base trim as standard. The flat-bottom steering with all of the infotainment and also powertrain controls layered out gives the dashboard a clean look.
Sleek And Futuristic Exterior With Distinctive Audi Design Language
Audi has used a very minimal yet futuristic design language for the e-tron line-up. The most desirable feature of this SUV is downright the sick looking 22-inch wheels that come in as standard. It sure looks like a serious piece of aero-tech and goes well with the sculpted look. The front is dominated by Audi's distinctive grille design and topped out by 10-Segment LED headlamps. The rear also packs LED lighting and is connected across for a seamless look. It sure looks the most dramatic of this segment as the only other car that comes close is the Jaguar I-PACE. We will leave you to be the judge of which looks cooler.
Release Date And Warranty Coverage
The Q4 e-Tron will launch by the second quarter of 2021 and packs a wholesome warranty package that includes:
- Standard Warranty for 4 years / 50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty for 4 years / 50,000 miles
- Electric components Support for 8 years / 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance for 1 year /10,000 miles
Sources: media.audiusa.com, Audiusa.com, Whatcar.com, Insisdeevs.com, Caranddriver.com, Carscoops.com