Audi Reveals its Q4 e-tron Concept at the Geneva Motor Show

author: Mia Bevacqua   

The Audi Q4 e-tron concept on display at the Geneva Motor Show (Photo: Gabriel Gélinas)

It's been about a year since Audi released its first-ever electric SUV, the e-tron. Now, the German automaker plans to expand its EV portfolio with yet another offering – the Q4 e-tron. The zero-emissions SUV recently made its debut as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show. 

Meet the Audi Q4 e-tron

Audi is steadily building its e-tron family of all-electric vehicles. Plans are for the Q4 to be more affordable than the current e-tron, which carries a base MSRP over $75k. As such, the new SUV is smaller than the existing model, though the pair share a lot of the same design elements.

The Q4 rides on Volkswagen AG's modular electrification platform (MEB) that will underpin many of the company's future EVs.

Exterior and interior design

Measurements for the Q4 e-tron come in at 4.59 meters long, 1.90 meters wide and 1.61 meters high. Upfront, the compact SUV wears Audi's signature Singleframe grille, minus the radiator vents. The smoothed-over front-end – along with futuristic 22-inch wheels and space-age rear LED-lighting – send the message that, yes, this is an EV. 

Meanwhile, the cabin features a souped-up version of Audi's virtual cockpit, along with a new augmented reality head-up display. And, of course, there's a 12.3-inch touchscreen media center sitting prominently above the center console.  

Electric powertrain

Audi intends to take on Tesla with the dual-motor powertrain found in the Q4 e-tron. The layout features a 150 kW and 310 Nm motor in the rear, as well as a 75 kW and 150 Nm unit in the front. Together, the duo produces 225 kW (310 hp), while also providing the SUV with Quattro all-wheel drive capability.

As for the battery, it's an 82 kWh device good for up to over 450 km (280 miles) of driving range. An 80% charge can be achieved in around 30 minutes using a DC fast charger.

Handling

The Q4 promises to be sporty and fun to drive. A low center of gravity – that's on-par with a sedan, Audi says – and adaptive dampeners will provide the Q4 with un-SUV-like handling characteristics. The front-end uses a MacPherson style suspension, while a multi-link setup sits in the rear. 

Also, it's worth noting, there is no mechanical connection between the front and rear motors. Instead, an electronic control system monitors vehicle operation to precisely distribute power to the drive axles.

Twelve EVs by 2025

Audi intends to release 12 new battery-electric models by 2025. And it hopes to achieve one-third of its sales through the effort. The e-tron SUVs are just a starting point for an influx of upcoming EVs that will include everything from compact cars to luxury sedans.

Later this year, Audi promises to turn another concept car, the seductive e-tron GT, into a production model. Also, the automaker will introduce its Q2L e-tron to the Chinese market. As for the Q4 e-tron, it's slated for release towards the end of 2020.

Source: Audi

Mia Bevacqua

Mia is an ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician, L1, L2 and L3 Advanced Level Specialist. She has over 12 years of experience in the automotive industry and a bachelor’s degree in automotive technology. These skills have been applied toward content writing, technical writing, inspections, consulting, automotive software engineering.