AUDI CHARGES AHEAD
Game changer, tipping point; however you’d like to phrase it, the new audi Q4 e-tron certainly feels different. and that’s because the German car giant’s ‘most affordable all-electric SUV’ is straight forward. I just jumped in and fired it up. There were no buttons to press or ‘twist-and-go’ gear set-up. easy to drive, great pace and graceful, too. a roomy boot and flexible seating are a bonus.
audi bosses clearly think they’re onto something. They are predicting up to 20,000 sales a year from next year, which would make it their second biggest seller after the a3.
Prices start from £40,750 for the entry level 35 e-tron Sport. I was driving the more powerful 40 (which starts from £44,990) and my 204hp Launch edition costs £49,875.
audi says the most-popular version is expected to be the 40 e-tron S-line trim at £47,090.
The streamlined Sportback right-hand drive versions arrive in the UK in September with a mark-up of £1,500 at every level.
The Q4 35 e-tron and Q4 40 e - tron SUV and Sportback use a single electric motor to deliver 170 hp and 204 hp respectively to the rear axle.
This propelled me from rest to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds up to a top speed restricted to 99 mph.
Range is up to 316miles. I set off with about 270 miles available and was able to keep the battery ‘topped up’ with judicious use of acceleration and braking. Charging’s a doddle and the plug is on the side flank where you’d expect the fuel tank to be.
There are four trim levels at launch: Sport, S Line, edition 1 and range-topping Vorsprung. The choice of interiors ranges from traditional leather to leather-free fabrics made from recycled bottles.
a new augmented reality headup display makes it easier for the driver to keep their eye on the real road ahead while important information is projected into the line of sight at a virtual distance which does not confuse the motorist. Sound experts Sonos have been brought in to handle the audio.
Depending on model and trim, the new Q4 e-trons run on 19, 20 or 21-inch wheels.