Audi unveils Q4 e-tron concept electric car in Geneva
Audi unveiled its new compact electric SUV Q4 e-tron at the Geneva Motor Show. The latest concept in the e-tron range will launch into serial production at the end of 2020 as the fifth all-electric vehicle under the Audi brand.
The range of the new Q4 e-tron concept has been set at more than 450 km by WLTP standards, according to the manufacturer. The electric vehicle is powered by two electric motors combining for a 225 kW system performance.
The rear motor features 150 kW and covers the majority of acceleration and is continuously active, while the front motor powers up in support when it adds another 75 kW. Audi claims efficiency gains for said control but insists that the Audi Q4 e-tron remains driven by AWD of course. The car’s top speed has been electronically limited at 180 kph with an acceleration from 0 to 100 kph in 6.3 seconds.
The battery in the latest Audi electric vehicle takes up most of the floor and holds 82 kWh, which can be fast-charged with 125 kW capacity. The charge can thus be completed to 80% in just over 30 minutes, according to the manufacturer.
With a length of 4,59 m and 1,90 width, the Q4 e-tron is comparably compact, and Audi says the relation to the original e-tron EV is visible on first sight. Its wheelbase of 2.77 metres ranks it among the less small SUVs when it comes to interior space. Audi also made use of the room freed up by not having a shaft so that the Q4 e-tron concept offers an “unprecedented level of room comfort, especially in terms of legroom both in the front and in the rear,” Audi claims.
One word on temperature control. Audi in their announcement included the colour coating as environmentally sensitive and designed to reflect sunlight close to the infrared spectrum, thus helping to keep the car cooler.
The basis for Audi’s latest electric vehicle was provided by VW’s MEB platform, which will be used for several of Audi’s future battery electric vehicles. Audi plans to have a total of 12 fully electric vehicles in their stable by 2025, including the e-tron that is available to order now and the e-tron GT, that had its debut in Los Angeles last November with production set for 2021.
Additional reporting by Nora Manthey.
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