Audi q4 e-tron sportback in the test: how elegant and dynamic is the new e-suv coupe??
The first Audi e-car, which makes full use of the e-drive benefits of VW's modular e-building kit, enters the market as a double top. We have already tested the 4.59 meter long Q4 e-tron mid-size SUV. Today we're taking a look at the variant with the coupe-like rear: the Q4 e-tron Sportback. The SUV coupe sets the Q4 apart from its sister models ID.4 and Enyaq as of. What else makes it stand out? A test report.
Contents of the test report on the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback:
Q4 e-tron Sportback: elegant shell
The latest E-SUV duo from Audi was unveiled in mid-April 2021. The Q4 e-tron stole the show a bit with its sleek rear end. This is partly due to the current fashion: SUV coupes are the body style of the moment. Secondly, it is the shape of the "Sportback" itself that puts it in the spotlight. It simply looks better, at least according to our impression: more dynamic, more athletic, sleeker. The sleeker impression is confirmed by the wind tunnel: The Q4 e-tron faces into the wind with a cw value of 0.28 and a frontal area of 2.56 square meters; on the Q4 e-tron Sportback, the drag coefficient is 0.26.
According to the technical data sheet, the frontal areas of the two are identical – the dimensions are almost identical throughout. There are only major differences in the height of the building. The Sportback is two centimeters lower at 1.61 meters; the length, width and wheelbase are the same to the millimeter: specifically, they measure 4.59 and. 1.87 meters and 276 centimeters. The exterior proportions carry over proportionally to the space in the interior. At the front, the two "Q4 e-tron" models offer the same amount of space; in the rear of the "Sportback," passengers have to cope with two centimeters less headroom.
Practical inner values
The Zurechtkommen however only inmates, who are over 3,990 meters high, will fall heavily. In other words: the space on offer in the Q4 e-tron Sportback is generous. This is where the e-SUV coupe plays up the advantages of the new electric modular system. It transforms the compact dimensions of the electric powertrain directly into additional free space: because it does not have to take into account the requirements of classic combustion engines. The legs benefit the most. You have at least as much room to move in the Q4 e-tron Sportback as in upper mid-range models.
Seat height and comfort also earn the rating "first class. A special feature is hidden in the front seats: a "center" airbag that prevents the driver and front passenger from colliding in the event of a side crash. One final point about dimensions: The Q4 e-tron is not lacking in storage space either. At 535 liters, the SUV coupe even packs in a bit more than the classic SUV with 520 liters; however, at 78 centimeters, the loading edge is quite high.
The interior: focused on the driver
So far, it's shown: The sporty, sleek Q4 e-tron Sportback also has a lot to offer in terms of utility and practicality. The numerous practical compartments or. Storage options in the interior and luggage compartment underscore the. For an e-SUV coupe in particular, however, the dynamic qualities play a special role. The driver can already feel the importance of this feature from the interior design. As in the Q4 e-tron, the central elements in the Sportback are focused on the driver. This applies in particular to the center console with its two central control interfaces: the newly designed control island on the center console and the ten-inch "MMI Touch" display.
The control panel has already impressed us in the test with the SUV. Visually, it is designed in such a way that it seems to float or float on an invisible liquid. Functionally, it is set up so that the countless digital options can be used very intuitively and easily. To this end, the controls are divided into four areas: the aforementioned touch display, the ten-inch digital display – expandable to a virtual cockpit – the improved voice control, and the head-up display with "augmented reality".
E-SUVs: prudent digitization that augments reality
The overlays of the head-up display in the Q4 e-tron Sportback are a welcome safety bonus, especially during sporty driving – and literally a groundbreaking innovation, as Audi proudly dubs the function. The navi's directives seem to float directly on the road – and the safety instructions from the assistance systems are also where the danger lies. To benefit from the enriched reality of the head-up display, however, you have to drive just under 3.000 euros extra: for the "MMI navigation pro" navigation system.
These systems are supplied with data from the installed radar, the sensors of the ESC and a camera. This info can also be used to implement new assistance functions and systems: such as the standard predictive efficiency assistant for saving energy, the adaptive driving assistant (adaptive speed assistant with lateral guidance); and the ambient cameras (ambient view for easier parking). The assistance armada provides the driver with the safety required to enjoy the dynamics without worries.
Q4 e-tron Sportback: sporty heart, dynamic chassis
Of the driving dynamics, the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback has plenty. On the one hand, this is due to the chassis and bodywork. The SUV coupe has a low center of gravity, an extremely torsionally stiff body made of high-strength steels (26%) and balanced weight distribution. Added to this are chassis details such as a five-link rear axle design, wider rear tires and, on the Sportback, the "Audi drive select" driving selection program already ex works. Those who want to expand this pleasurable driving dynamics menu can browse the options list to their heart's content: individually in the form of the sports suspension, progressive steering, adaptive damper control or in fixed menu sequences with the "dynamics" and "dynamics plus" packages.
Regardless, the source of momentum in the Q4 e-tron is always electrical energy. The power flows from two batteries of different sizes, which are securely packed in an aluminum framework construction in the underbody: a lithium-ion battery with just under 52 or one with a good 77 kWh capacity. The customer decides which battery is in the underbody by choosing the drive system.
Drives of the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback
Audi installs the smaller battery in the Q4 e-tron Sportback exclusively with the basic drive, the 35 e-tron with 125 kW (170 hp) or. 310 Nm. Like the 40 e-tron with 150 kW (204 hp), it relies entirely on a particularly efficient synchronous machine on the rear axle. For fans of advanced dynamics, one of the two e-drive trains is recommended, which form an electric all-wheel drive with two motors: the 45 e-tron or the 50 e-tron quattro with 195 kW resp. 265 hp (combined WLTP fuel consumption: 16.6-20.9 kWh per 100 km, 0 g/km CO2 and efficiency class A+).
Only the top engine can currently be ordered in the Sportback. Like the 45 e-tron, it has an asynchronous motor on the front axle; the "50" has its own boost mode, in which 300 hp and 460 Nm are released for a short time. The 0-100 sprint is thus completed in around six seconds. The speed is limited at 180 km/h so that the energy is sufficient for a maximum of 488 kilometers. Charging is then possible with a maximum of 125 kW. This brings in approx. ten minutes 130 km range – fast, even if others are now already faster, such as the Ioniq 5 from Hyundai.
Technical data of the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback
Competing models
Electric cars are in demand, SUV coupes too. In our dealership online you will find both among the more than 400 new cars. Three examples are: the BMW iX3 from 58.585 euros and 14 % resp. monthly from 640 euros, the Mercedes EQC from 60.121 euros and 9 % or. from 808 euros a month or the Mazda MX-30 from 28.304 euros and 20% new car discount (in each case excluding the federal share of the environmental bonus) or. from 128 Euro monthly installments. With financing, you can secure these e-cars at low monthly rates – for example, with our car leasing or Vario financing from 0.49% effective interest and from €0 down payment; the environmental bonus is also available with leasing.