The Audi That'll Be Everywhere

You’ll daydream about the e-tron gt, but audi reckons you’ll buy the q4 e-tron, its e-crossover that hits a sweet spot for size, relative affordability and serious showroom sizzle

- Georg Kacher

YOU KNOW HOW they say never buy the first version of a new Apple product?

Perhaps a similar golden rule should be applied to electric cars. The VW ID.3, the first model based on the VW Group’s entry-level electric platform and released in Europe mid-2020, had an unfinished edge. But every new MEB derivative launched since has bettered the previous version. The ID.4 is quantifiably more appealing than the hatchback, the Skoda Enyaq is more convincing overall than both VWs, and now the Audi Q4 e-Tron raises the bar for design, perceived quality, driveability and performance.

Although Audi Australia isn’t talking prices nor a specific launch date, the top-of-the-line Q4 50 e-Tron Quattro is expected to cost significantly less than the base full-size e-Tron SUV ($137K), which is 300mm longer but not dramatically roomier inside. The 220kW Q4 also wins the 0-100km/h sprint against the 230kW e-Tron, whereby 6.2sec plays 6.8sec. More important still, the Q4’s maximum range of 474km compares favourably to the 336km recorded to WLTP rules for its big brother. These numbers show that yesterday’s EV heroes are being overtaken left, right and centre by newer models boasting more advanced batteries, motors and software.

This steep ramp-up phase is still gaining momentum, and progress is bound to receive a further boost by the upcoming solid-state energy cells, more sophisticated performance electronics and beefed-up drive units.