Audi are expanding their electric car range with the highly anticipated Q4. Unlike the previous e-tron models already launched, this one is intended to be a volume seller. In fact, Audi expect the Q4 and its Sportback sibling to be their second best selling car, behind the A3.
Although it’s based on a common electric car platform, shared with Volkswagen and Skoda, among others, the styling of the Q4 is resolutely Audi.
The front grille is completely blanked off as befits an electric car and the sensors for self-driving are hidden behind the Audi badge.
Given that it’s a common platform, we have the unusual prospect of a rear wheel drive Audi. I can’t think of another expect for the RWD version of the R8 sports car. There will be a quattro model along for the 2022 model year but for now, it’s a single motor powering the rear wheels with the choice of two battery sizes.
The Q4 35 comes with a 55kWh battery offering a range of up to 335km. The 40 variant is fitted with a larger 82kWh battery and has a more powerful motor, offering 204bhp. The claimed range for this model is just over 500km.
There’s a real wheel at each corner look to the car and that long wheelbase allows for lots of cabin space for both people and luggage. The rear wheel drive also means a very tight turning circle, making the car very manoeuvrable around town.
Despite being electric, the interior is also very recognisably Audi with good quality materials and a dashboard dominated by a large touch screen. A digital cockpit also features as standard.
Although we didn’t see it on the launch, an augmented reality head up display will also be available. This will project information virtually 3m before the driver but navigation directions
Unusually, the steering wheel is almost rectangular and while it looks cool, I’m not quite sure what’s wrong with a round wheel. The Allegro with its quartic wheel is still derided and I wonder will we be doing the same again once this fad for squared off wheels is over.
To drive, the Q4 feels very similar to its sibling, the Skoda Enyaq, which I drove the other week. There’s smooth power instantly available although the kick in the back you sometimes get from quick electric cars is missing. There’s plenty of performance available anyway.
There’s good visibility also and the car is easy to place on the road and with the space available in the cabin, passengers will have no complaints.
There are three trim levels available: Advance, Sport and S-Line, with Sport expected to be the most popular option.
Standard equipment includes items such as 19” alloys, air conditioning, heated seats, leather steering wheel with shift paddles (for brake regen), rear parking sensors, cruise control and lane departure warning.
Sport adds equipment including folding mirrors, sports seats, adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera while top spec S-Line models come with 20” alloys, sports suspension, S-Line styling, stainless steel pedals and ambient lighting.
Pricing starts from €39,715 after grants but before delivery and a service pack for a Q4 30 Advance.
At the top of the tree for now sits the Q4 40 S-Line which sells from €61,775.
