Meet the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron concept

Little over a year ago the Audi Q4 e-tron concept broke cover at the Geneva Motor Show giving visitors and media alike a taste of the first compact electric SUV from Audi. And now, Audi is presenting the second model of the product line that will go into production in 2021 as an SUV Coupé. Meet the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron concept.

Audi’s electric car design language is shaping up nicely. The Q4 Sportback e-tron proudly wears the four rings on the Singleframe grille, flanked by the brand’s new, dual signature matrix LED headlights. Their illumination extends all the way down to the front apron.

Probably what’s more interesting though is that the Q4 Sportback e-tron concept is painted in the new kinetic grey colour, a light metallic and pearl effect colour that takes on a distinct greenish tinge depending on the angle of the light. In contrast, the lower sections of the body are painted in a dark grey colour. This segmentation emphasises the width and horizontal orientation of the vehicle’s architecture.

The foremost distinguishing feature on the Q4 Sportback e-tron is its platform. The Q4 Sportback e-tron will be the second Audi to use Volkswagen’s MEB architecture, following the Q4 e-tron, the highly flexible basis for the group’s future EVs. VW has already used the MEB platform for its ID.3 electric hatchback, and other companies in the group will use it for their own electric cars too.

Audi’s electric models so far, though, haven’t relied upon the MEB. Instead, they’ve used modified versions of Audi’s existing platforms, such as the MLB architecture that underpins various internal-combustion vehicles. The MEB has a number of advantages, however.

It was designed specifically and exclusively for automobiles with electric drive systems. Axles, drives, wheelbases and the interaction between all components are selected and adapted specifically for e-mobility.

Take seat as the driver and you’re immersed into the display of the Audi virtual cockpit with the most important display elements for speed, charge level, and navigation is located behind the steering wheel. The large-format head-up display with an augmented reality function is a new feature. It can display important graphical information, such as directional arrows for turning, directly on the course of the road.

Control panels designed as touch elements on the steering wheel spokes can be used to select frequently used functions. In the middle above the center console, there is a 12.3-inch touchscreen via which the infotainment and vehicle functions are displayed and operated. It is tilted toward the driver for greater ease of operation. A strip of buttons for controlling the air conditioning is located below it.

As the center console does not need to hold functional elements such as a gear lever or hand brake actuation elements, it is designed as a spacious stowage compartment that includes a cell phone charging cradle.

In the case of the 2021 Q4 Sportback e-tron, the four-door crossover is expected to have an 82 kWh battery good for around 480km on the WLTP cycle. Versions with rear-wheel drive will offer a range of over 500km. The vehicle will be likely to muster 225 kW, for a 0-100km/ time of 6.3 seconds.

Official pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, nor has local availability.

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Papi Mabele

Papi Mabele has a marketing background, he is a digital marketing expert with extensive experience in launching and building global brands in the emerging markets. Papi is also an avid tech writer, enthusiast and all round tech junkie. As a freelance writer and analyst he has been numerously published in Popular Mechanics (SA), GQ South Africa, Premier Magazine, Driven Magazine, Bloem News, Courant, The Weekly, Enthooze Magazine and PiE magazine amongst others.