AUDI SET TO CLEAN UP WITH EPIC Q4
Super e-tron SUV dwarfs many of its all-electric rivals and, with space and luxury, new edition will be a big hit
“If you can’t manage it, I have an Audi too and I’ve devised a way of keeping the boot closed while it sticks out,” said the seller.
My daughter and I had driven from Edinburgh to Newcastle to pick up the rather expensive white slate shower tray lying in its box at our feet on the floor of the seller’s garage.
Earlier I had lowered the seats on the Audi Q4 e- tron I was driving and had measured the length. We might just make it if we pulled in the front seats.
“What about the packaging?” queried my husband – ever the pessimist.
Well, here we were now about to test the 1800mm by 8000mm measurements – and the Q4 e-tron. 1-2-3, we heaved the tray into the boot and slid it up and, Geronimo, it worked. No overhang, a properly shut boot and only 36 bottles of champagne still to fit in. This was an epic trip.
The Q4 is a bit of an epic car. It dwarfs many of its smaller all-electric rivals and is perhaps the answer to big families and small businesses all wanting to turn green. This 40 Launch Edition with a 77kWh battery and a range of 316 miles also has the kind of capability to carry a load and get there without too much worry. We got to Newcastle on one charge – our problem was finding fast chargers to power us up to get home again but more of that later.
The car itself is a lovely big beast standing on 20in alloy wheels and with the presence we have come to expect from Audi.
Inside, it is very plush and refined with big comfortable front sports seats and a lean-looking dash.
The multimedia system is quite straightforward and easy to use and there is a charging graph which lets you raise or lower the charge limit as you might need it – for shorter urban journeys or longer distances like ours.
There is also a Drive Select button for different types of motoring like efficient, dynamic, comfort and so on and a second Drive gear on the shift which strengthens the regeneration. The Q4 is smooth and quiet on the road, scarcely jostling our cargo as we wound around Newcastle to recharge for the journey home.
The first point we found allowed us to have a sandwich and coffee before we returned to find, well, it hadn’t quite charged up as much as we thought it might, certainly not enough to get home.
A few more stops and we headed to Alnwick and a second charger and another cup of coffee. Back to the car and this charger was a bit more efficient so off we set.
By now it was getting dark as I dropped my daughter, her shower tray and the champagne off in Edinburgh to head home along the M9.
I had about 38 miles to go and the car was showing a tad above 50. Given the conditions – I’d have to use my lights and wanted to hurry – would I make it?
The car was flashing up warnings to recharge as soon as I dropped to 30 miles of charge left but it was really dark and I had no idea where the chargers were – brightly lit places or a dark retail park.
I ploughed on, putting the car into B for intense regeneration and keeping to 60mph. I was determined to get home and I did – with 13 miles left in the car.
I’m sure there was probably more than that but, even with the charging stations in place, were they safe for a woman on her own? Memo to governments everywhere.