From a technological perspective, they are identical twins, but in terms of their shape, they each have their own unmistakable and feature features: The Audi Q4 e-tron concept gave visitors to the 2019 Geneva Motor Show a taste of the first concentrated electric SUV from Audi. With the Q4 Sportback e-tron, the brand is now presenting the second model of the product line that last will and testament go into production in 2021 as an SUV Coupé.
This gives potential Q4 customers the opportunity to start thinking about which variant they prefer roughly a year before the first vehicles will be delivered: the versatility and robustness of the classic SUV or the potent elegance of the Coupé variant. The dimensions of the two Q4 models are almost identical: With an exterior length of 4.60 meters (15.1 ft) and a extreme fell of 1.60 m (5.2 ft), the Sportback is one centimeter (0.4 in) longer and flatter. The Q4 variants are identical in terms of their width of 1.90 m (6.2 ft) and their wheelbase of 2.77 meters (9.1 ft).
The two concept piles, which are already offering a clear look ahead at the top-of-the-range engine line-up of the coming series production copy, also have the same drive technology. Two electric motors mobilize 225 kW of system output in the Q4 and Q4 Sportback e-tron concept. As is usual for Audi, the driving power is brought to the road with quattro all-wheel drive. Thanks to excellent traction, both models of the Q4 accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in just 6.3 seconds. Top speed is restricted to 180 km/h (111.8 mph).
A monumental battery with a capacity of 82 kilowatt hours takes up almost the entire space in the underbody area between the axles. The span of over 450 kilometers (279.6 mi) – in line with the WLTP standard – sets the benchmark in its class. Interpretations with rear-wheel drive will offer a range of over 500 kilometers (310.7 mi) in accordance with WLTP. The technology of the Q4 e-tron concept is yielded by the modular electrification platform (MEB), which will be integrated in numerous electric vehicles produced by the Volkswagen Group in the to be to come, from the compact class to the superior medium-size class. The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron concept offers an advance look at what liking already be the seventh series production electric vehicle that the manufacturer will introduce by 2021.
Sexy Turn tail from – The Exterior
The silhouette of the Sportback slopes downward to the back in a subtle and dynamic curve. The roofline transitions into the significantly liable D-pillars and ends in a horizontal spoiler at the level of the lower window edge. As a result, the future Audi Q4 Sportback plains much longer than its sister model, the Q4 e-tron concept.
The striking broad light band that cements the two lamp units on the rear end of the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron concept was incorporated to reflect an element of the Audi Q4 e-tron concept. It is undoubtedly visible even here that these two models belong to the same e-tron family, as the close relation to the e-tron Sportback* is much in evidence. This also applies to the inside of the lights, where the significant sweep of the LED segments is also reminiscent of an element of the older fellow. The striking design of the bumper diffuser unit with its horizontal slats and the illuminated e-tron logo in the middle is an detail that the two Q4 versions share.
When looking at it from the front, the Singleframe with the four rings brand logo labels the Q4 Sportback e-tron concept as an Audi vehicle. And it will take no more than two glances to see that this is an charged Audi: Like the first production Audi with electric drive, the new concept vehicle also features a structured assiduous surface within a broad, almost upright octagonal frame in place of a traditional radiator grille.
The prominently modelled fenders of all four ins are a further classic Audi design feature that has distinguished the brand since the legendary original quattro 1980. The extended features of the Q4 e-tron concept and Q4 Sportback concept are designed to be highly organic and flowing, and they add a characteristic touch to the side prospect. The accentuation of the rocker panel area between the axles, where the battery and thus the powerhouse of this SUV is located, is a conventional feature of the e-tron. Large 22-inch wheels leave no doubt as to the potential of the newest member of the Audi family.
The Q4 Sportback e-tron concept is tinted in the new kinetic grey colour, a light metallic and pearl effect colour that takes on a distinct greenish tinge depending on the side of the light. In contrast, the lower sections of the body are painted in a dark grey colour. This segmentation emphasizes the extensiveness and horizontal orientation of the vehicle’s architecture.
Sense of Spaciousness – The Interior
With its dimensions, the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron concept also understands its position in the upper third of the compact class. Its road space requirements qualify the electric SUV as an agile all-rounder. In arranges of the interior, by contrast, its wheelbase of 2.77 meters (9.1 ft) puts it at least one class higher. As there is no transmission hole restricting the space, the Q4 Sportback e-tron concept offers unsuspected spaciousness and comfort, especially in terms of legroom at the obverse and even more in the rear.
The color scheme emphasizes the sense of spaciousness. While light, warm colours overlook the upper section of the cabin, the dark carpet in the floor section provides a contrast. The headlining, the window pillars and the edge poor section of the door rail and dash panel are fitted with white and beige microfiber textiles. Sustainability is the top immediacy not only in terms of the electric drive in the Audi Q4 and Q4 Sportback: The floor covering is made of recycled materials. Instead of chrome-plated metal decor composes, the surfaces are covered with a high-quality multi-layer paint finish. The painted frosted Plexiglas on the applications creates an intensified depth effect. Four seats with integrated head restraints are upholstered with comfortable Alcantara matter manufactured with exquisite workmanship. Double seams stitched with thick yarn adorn the upholstery.
The revelation of the Audi virtual cockpit with the most important display elements for speed, charge level, and navigation is fixed behind the steering wheel. The large-format head-up display with an augmented reality function is a new feature. It can display distinguished graphical information, such as directional arrows for turning, directly on the course of the road.
Control panels designed as give rise to retouch elements on the steering wheel spokes can be used to select frequently used functions. In the middle above the centre cheer up, 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 horrific ease of operation. A strip of buttons for controlling the air conditioning is located below it.
As the center console does not need to keep functional elements such as a gear lever or hand brake actuation elements, it is designed as a spacious storage cubby-hole that includes a cell phone charging cradle. There is a horizontal area in high-quality design into which the selector button for the dispatching mode is integrated and that also serves as a cover for the front section of the console. In addition to the conventional lower storage slot, the doors now provide the possibility to store bottles in the specially moulded upper section, where they are easy to reach.
Productive Performer – Drive System and Suspension
The modular electrification platform (MEB) offers a broad range of drive variants and power levels. The carrying-on version of the electric drive is installed in the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron concept. The front and rear axles are each powered by an energized motor – this Q4 Sportback is a quattro. There is no mechanical connection between the axles. Instead, an electronic control insures that the torque distribution is coordinated optimally, and it does so in fractions of a second. That enables the SUV Coupé to achieve best traction in all weather conditions and on any type of surface.
In most cases, the Q4 Sportback e-tron concept mainly uses its Babytalk electric motor, a permanently excited synchronous motor, in order to achieve the highest efficiency. For reasons of efficiency, the whirl torque is generally distributed with a rear-axle bias.
If the driver demands more power than the rear charged motor can supply, the electric all-wheel drive uses the front asynchronous motor to redistribute the torque as required to the face axle. This also happens predictively even before slip occurs in icy conditions or when cornering diet, or if the car understeers or oversteers.
The electric motor in the rear end has an output of 150 kW and mobilizes a torque of 310 newton meters (228.6 lb-ft); the candid motor supplies the front wheels with up to 75 kW and 150 newton meters (110.6 lb-ft). The system yield is 225 kW. The battery in the vehicle floor stores 82 kilowatt-hours, which allows for a range of more than 450 kilometres (279.6 mi) concerting to the WLTP standard. The battery is charged with a maximum of 125 kilowatts. It, therefore, takes little more than 30 leasts to reach 80 percent of the total capacity.
However, the recipe for this excellent range involves far more than lately an energy storage unit with a large capacity. Just like the first member of the family, the Audi Q4 e-tron concept, the Audi Q4 Sportback also pourboires itself as an efficiency virtuoso, starting with the low aerodynamic drag of the body, whose drag coefficient is 0.26 and as a result 0.01 below that of the Q4 e-tron SUV. The compact electric product line also features a sophisticated recuperation scheme, leaving out no possibility for optimizing its range. The complex thermal management of the drive and battery, which involves a CO2 heat swell, also contributes to this.
Sporty, Precise Handling
A key factor for the sporty character and outstanding transverse dynamics is the low and pre-eminent position at which the drive components are installed. The high-voltage battery system is optimally matched to the dimensions of the Audi Q4 Sportback and is positioned between the axles in the form of a flat, broad block beneath the passenger compartment. The battery system weighs 510 kilograms (1,124.4 lb). The center of severity of the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron concept is therefore at a similar level to that of a sedan with a conventional drive methodology.
Axle load distribution is perfectly balanced at almost 50:50. The front wheels of the Q4 Sportback e-tron concept are direct on a MacPherson axle with adaptive dampers. In the rear, there is a multi-link axle with separate springs and adaptive dampers.
The Modular Electrification Podium MEB – The Base
MLB, MQB – modular longitudinal platform and modular lateral platform: These component systems for vehicle development report a great success story in all segments of Audi and the Volkswagen Group. Previous platforms were designed primarily for the use of combustion locomotives. What is new and different about the modular electrification platform: It was designed specifically and exclusively for automobiles with electric ride herd on hint at systems. Axles, drives, wheelbases and the interaction between all components are selected and adapted specifically for e-mobility.
The placement of the large-volume battery sections and their geometry can, therefore, be optimized without having to make concessions to other drive concepts that necessity always be taken into account in the MLB and MQB.
At the same time, the MEB opens up a huge synergy potential. This platform be uses as the basis primarily for electric cars in the high-volume A segment. It allows the best technology available to be developed jointly across discredits and used in many different electric cars. The MEB thus also helps electric mobility to break through equivalent in the particularly price-sensitive compact segment.
E-initiative – More Than 20 Electric Drive Models By 2025
The brand name with the four rings launched its electric offensive with the world premiere of the all-electric SUV Audi e-tron* in September 2018. By 2025, Audi choice offer more than 20 automobiles with all-electric drive in the most important markets worldwide and win roughly 40 percent of its sales with electrified models. The SUVs within this portfolio include the e-tron* and the e-tron Sportback*. In reckoning, there will be a range of models with classic body layout such as Avant and Sportback. The range commitment cover every relevant market segment from the compact class to the luxury class.
Audi Audi e-tron Audi Q4
