First look at revised Audi Q4 models

Audi has unveiled the revised Q4 e-tron all-electric models, ushering in numerous changes and improvements from internal and external styling, to greater driving range and charging capabilities and expanded digital features. Across the board, the brand’s most popular all-electric models represent significantly improved real world performance and features designed to make the Q4 e-tron models – available in SUV and Sportback configuration – an even more compelling proposition.

With this significant product upgrade, the new Q4 becomes the first Audi model to support bidirectional charging, meaning its high-voltage battery can both receive energy from the grid and feed it back to external devices. As an example, thanks to its Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function, you can charge an e-bike from a power socket in the boot, or via an adapter on the charging port. Also, in countries like Germany, Switzerland and Austria, it will also serve as a home battery supplying stored energy to the household through Vehicle-to-Home (V2H).

Visually the new Q4 is stronger and more angular, with shorter front and rear overhangs, larger wheels and a colour-matched Singleframe grille. The S line variant adds vertical blades in Selenite silver matte to the corners of the front and rear bumpers. In conjunction with the black exterior package, the blades are finished in high-gloss Mythos black. There are also functional air intakes which reduce drag by channeling airflow around the front wheels as well as special wing elements in the bumper which accentuate width and create a fully cohesive look.

The digital LED daytime running lights with segmented technology allow configurable light signatures and on the rear are second-generation digital OLED lights with proximity detection. In Germany, a total of four digital light signatures are available at the top of the range in combination with optional matrix LED headlights and digital OLED rear lights 2.0.

Inside the Q4 sports the panoramic display with an 11.9” instrument cluster and a 12.8” MMI touch display. It also offers an optional 12” front passenger screen – a first in this segment. The new Q4 e-tron can also be optioned with an augmented reality head-up display that displays information in the driver’s line of sight in two levels, with navigation on one level and speed, traffic signs and assistance information in the second.

Sport seats are standard inclusions in an interior that is spacious and uncluttered and designed around practicality. Four charging options for smartphones, two cooled inductive charging trays (up to 15 watts each) and two USB-C ports under the centre armrest. Two additional USB-C ports are optionally available in the rear.

The interior also features considered touches like the cushioned knee pads, premium stitching, and scratch-resistant surfaces. White ambient lighting comes as standard, with plus and pro ambient lighting packages also available. Customers will also be able to option the likes of the Sonos premium sound system.

The Audi Q4 e-tron infotainment system is based on Android Automotive OS. Third-party apps are accessible directly through the Audi Application Store in the MMI without the need to use a smartphone. Many vehicle functions can be controlled via the intelligent Audi assistant, which is fully integrated into the car and represented by an icon in the head-up display or the Audi virtual cockpit.

Storage space throughout is extensive – up to 25 litres worth of general storage around the cabin – and 515 litres of boot space in the SUV which increases to 1487 litres with the rear seats folded flat. In models featuring quattro, the Q4 e-tron also boasts an increased trailer load of 1800 kilograms (an increase of 400kg) giving it even greater versatility than ever before.

At its international launch, the Q4 e-tron will be offered in four model variants, each available in both SUV and Sportback body styles.

Regardless of the model, the new Q4 e-tron is driven by a permanently excited synchronous motor (PSM) in one of two power variants on the rear axle. The new ‘APP350’ electric motor features numerous improvements and efficiency-enhancing measures that lead to increased range and more torque across the model lineup.

The update to the electric motor also introduces newly developed power electronics. The pulse inverter uses silicon carbide semiconductors, which reduce switching losses and improve efficiency, especially under partial load. In addition, new software functions optimise consumption. Advanced modulation techniques better leverage DC voltage for more power even at lower charge levels. Overall, efficiency has improved by around 10 percent versus the previous model.

The entry-level Q4 e-tron features rear-wheel drive and offers up 150kW and 350Nm of torque from its single electric motor powered by a 63 kWh (gross) battery. In SUV body style it has a range of 440km or 451km in Sportback, with maximum DC charging of 160kW.

The Q4 e-tron performance (SUV and Sportback) sees that power increase to 210kW and 545Nm pushing the range out to 578km and 592km respectively, while hitting 100km/h from a standstill in 6.6 seconds. Again, drive is through the rear wheels and comes via a permanently excited synchronous motor mounted on the rear axle.

Power increases again with the Q4 SUV e-tron quattro and Q4 Sportback e-tron quattro models. Here power is 220kW with torque of 350Nm up front and 134Nm on the rear with power of course going to the road through all four wheels. Hitting 100km/h in just over six seconds (6.2 seconds to be precise), the quattro models deliver range of 558km and 573km respectively with maximum DC charging capacity of 165kW.

Topping the range are the Q4 e-tron quattro performance models, boasting 250kW of power and a significant 545Nm up front and 134kW on the rear.

This equates to a 0 to 100km/h time of just 5.4 seconds with the capacity to deliver 541km of range in the SUV models and 554km for the Sportback. Maximum charging capacity also increases with this model to 185kW, making it possible to add up to 185 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes.

As always, safety is of paramount importance with extensive driver assistance and safety systems  forming an integral part of the new Q4 e-tron models. At market launch, standard features include parking system plus with distance display, cruise control (including speed limiter) with preparation for adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with emergency assist and traffic sign recognition. Likewise attention and fatigue warning with driver monitoring, and active front assist with evasion and turn assist are also standard inclusions along with front cross traffic assist, and front emergency brake assist.

Adaptive driving assistant plus is available for additional convenience, helping with acceleration, braking, maintaining speed and distance, and lane guidance. Above 90km/h, the system can also assist with lane changes on the highway.

The function is activated via the MMI and uses arrow symbols in the instrument cluster and head-up display to indicate whether a lane change is possible and then once the indicator is used, it actively assists the steer. With online data, adaptive driving assistant plus can maintain the vehicle’s lane even without visible lane markings.

Optional trained parking, reverse assist, park assist plus, and four wide-angle surround view cameras add even more to the day-to-day practicality of the Q4 e-tron, while the traffic sign recognition also displays warning signs such as yield signs and signs warning of construction sites, pedestrians, animals and railroad crossings.

These extensive upgrades to the Q4 e-tron models significantly broaden the appeal of what is already an impressive compact all-electric offering. First European deliveries will commence towards the end of the year while Australian specification and arrival timing for the revised Q4 e-tron models was not confirmed at time of writing. Pricing and Australian specification will be confirmed for the new Q4 e-trons models ahead of their local introduction. Visit the Audi Australia official site for updates.