Audi revises entry-level version of the Q4 e-tron

The Q4 35 e-tron had a battery with an energy content of 55 kWh gross/52 kWh net and a 125 kW electric motor. That enabled WLTP ranges of up to 365 kilometres for the Sportback and 355 kilometres for the SUV.

With the new energy storage system, Audi claims a range of up to 412 kilometres, and 423 kilometres for the Sportback offshoot. The 59 kWh net battery is already used in the MEB sister model VW ID.3 Pro – or the Skoda Elroq 60, for example. As with these two models, the Audi also gets the more powerful version of the APP310 electric motor, meaning it has 150 kW of power and 310 Nm of torque. The combination of the 125 kW drive and the 52 kWh battery (as in the ID.3 Pure and Elroq 50) will no longer be available from Audi in future.

The charging performance of the Q4 40 e-tron also corresponds to the other MEB models: At its peak, it can be charged with a maximum of 165 kW, and the Q4 manages the standard charging process from 10 to 80 per cent in 24 minutes with this battery under optimum conditions. Up to 150 kilometres (Sportback: 155 kilometres) can be recharged in ten minutes.

However, as the Q4 e-tron is a class above the ID.3 at 4.60 metres in length (and half a class above the Elroq), the Audi is correspondingly larger and heavier. This is noticeable in the driving performance, as the base Q4 needs 8.1 seconds for the standard sprint from a standstill to 100 kph. The ID.3 Pro achieves this in 7.3 seconds. The top speed is the MEB standard value of 160 kph. The towing capacity of both model variants (SUV and SUV Coupé) is 1,000 kilograms on a twelve per cent gradient and 1,200 kilograms on an eight per cent gradient.

With the Q4 40 e-tron, Audi also introduces another function already used in other MEB models: In addition to the automatic preconditioning of the battery when a charging stop is scheduled, battery preheating can now be activated manually. “The so-called manual preconditioning is carried out via the MMI, which shows how many kilowatt are currently available for fast-charging the HV battery and how much additional charging power is available thanks to the preconditioned battery. Manually preconditioning the battery thus ensures the best possible charging results at every charging station,” Audi writes.

In addition, the ‘myAudi’ app now includes a predictive maintenance reminder consisting of an overview of maintenance-relevant components. Coloured markings provide information about the current condition of the brake pads, the 12-volt battery and the often-forgotten expiry date of the first aid kit, for example.

The fact that Audi is jumping from the 52 kWh battery with 125 kW drive power to the next higher level with 59 kWh/150 kW in the basic Q4 also has an impact on the price – albeit less than one might think. According to the press release, prices for the Q4 40 e-tron start at 46,150 euros in Germany and for the Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron at 48,150 euros. The ‘old’ entry-level variant was available from 45,600/47,600 euros, i.e. for 650 euros less.

Update 24 February 2025

Audi has released the official UK prices for the new Q4 40 e-tron: the electric car is available at prices starting from £46,600. UK order books for the entry-level model with a 63kWh battery are expected to open on 13 March.

The base version of the fully electric premium model offers extensive standard equipment, a range of up to 258 miles, and a DC charging power of 165kW. The car can thus charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 24 minutes at a fast-charging station, or up to 93 miles (Sportback: 96 miles) of range can be added to the battery in 10 minutes. Acceleration from 0-62 mph has improved by 0.1 seconds to just 8.1 seconds.

Audi’s Q4 e-tron trim range tops out with the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron 40 Black Edition 204 PS, which is available from £52,900.

audi-mediacenter.com, audi.co.uk