The Audi Q4 e-tron concept SUV has just premiered at
the Geneva Motor Show. It shares many styling traits with other ‘e-tron’ badged models in
Audi’s range, but also has enough unique characteristics.
At the front, the Q4 e-tron concept features a large
silver faux front grille and a set of angular air intakes. There’s also a
glowing e-tron badge in the lower part of the bumper and a pair of slim
headlights which appear slightly softer than the aggressive lights found on
other Audi models, including the Q8.
Being a concept, it sits on a set of massive wheels
and tires which probably won’t make their way into production. The rear end is
dominated by a pair of taillights with a mixture of sharp lines and curved
edges connected with an LED light bar stretching the width of the rear. A
second glowing e-tron badge is also found at the rear, sitting just above a
diffuser.
The Q4 e-tron concept doesn’t follow
in the footsteps of the existing Audi e-tron SUV with rear-view cameras and
instead uses traditional wing mirrors. Powering the Audi Q4 e-tron
Concept are a pair of electric motors that deliver a combined 301 hp of power. Of that, 201 hp and 310 Nm comes from the rear
electric motor, while the e-motor up front delivers 100 hp and 150 Nm.
Thanks to the dual electric motor setup, the SUV
features quattro all-wheel drive and thanks to the instant torque can accelerate
to 100 km/h in a brisk 6.3 seconds. The vehicle’s top speed sits at an
electronically limited 180 km/h. Apart from straight-line
performance, however, potential customers will care about its range, too.
Fitted with an 82 kWh battery pack, the SUV can exceed 450 km on a
single charge a per the WLTP cycle. Moreover, the battery can be charged to 80
per cent of its capacity in 30 minutes.
Audi says that the Q4 e-tron Concept is technically
positioned in the upper third of the compact class due to its dimensions.
However, the generous 2.77-meter wheelbase puts it into a class above
in terms of interior space. The airy cabin isparticularly roomy thanks to the
lack of a traditional transmission tunnel required by an equivalent ICE-powered
SUV of this size.
Speaking of the cabin, Audi has outfitted the
concept with its latest Virtual Cockpit as well as a 12.3-inch touchscreen that
is used to operate all infotainment and vehicle functions. The center console
also includes a generous storage space with a mobile phone charging cradle.
The Q4 e-tron Concept will reach the production line
at the end of 2020 and will be Audi’s fifth electric model. While the
production model will look a little different, the German automaker says the
visual changes will be minor. Which, given how good the concept looks, is a
very good thing indeed.