Audi lifts the cover off their new Q4 Sportback e-tron
Expected to begin production by 2021, the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron looks extremely futuristic and that is a good thing.
The Q4 Sportback e-tron was been last seen (Insert WhatsApp copyright) during the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, and now Audi has revealed the vehicle to the world albeit in its concept form. Right off the bat I feel Audi needs to work on their naming. Its quite a mouthful. But then, Mercedes has the AMG GT63S 4-door 4-matic.
Anyway, in comparison to the vehicle seen in the GMS, the Q4 looks a lot similar, now with a few design tweaks here and there. No information has been released about the launch of the regular Q4 e-tron or Q4 Sportback e-tron, but we could expect them to hit production by next year.
The exteriors of the Q4 Sportback e-tron
The Q4 Sportback e-tron feels like a vehicle which has been pulled back into our current timeline from the future. The vehicle naturally looks a lot like the Q4 e-tron, with a few differences such as the coupé like sloping roofline which runs from the front and almost melts into the rear spoiler. Talking about the spoiler, it is obnoxiously huge, and while it may look cool, I do not believe that this spoiler could make it the production form.
https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/
The front fascia sports a huge grille which seems to be becoming the new trend of 2020. Again, the basic shape of the front resembles the regular Q4 e-tron, however, as this is the Sportback trim, it gets a few updates. The air intakes on the left and right have been tweaked with a silver/grey metallic touch with a vertical fin like design on the outer edges. As for the headlamps, they look just like the ones on the Q4 e-tron which house LED technology. The rear portion uses a familiar Audi design, with a continuous light bar. What is particularly gorgeous is the flashy 22-inch wheels.
Coming to the measurement figures of the vehicle, the Q4 Sportback e-tron is a tad bit smaller than the Tesla Model Y, BMW X4 and Mercedes Benz GLC Coupé. The vehicle stands at a length of 4,600mm and 1,600mm in height. It is however longer and lower than the Q4 e-tron.
The interiors of the Q4 Sportback e-tron
It is no surprise that the images of the cabin are absolutely staggering. In the centre of the dashboard is a touchscreen 12.3 inch infotainment system, and moving to the driver’s side is an all digital instrument cluster and Heads Up Display. The steering appears to be strange, with an almost square design. No gear lever can be observed and thanks to this, more space is made in the cabin of the vehicle. In terms of cabin quality, Audi has used painted Plexiglas ( which is a transparent acrylic plastic) instead of metal, and the upholstery of the seats is bathed in Alcantara.
https://www.audi.com/
Like I said, the vehicle has a sloping coupé headline, and in spite of it, headspace is not compromised. More space is freed up thanks to the flat floor which is achieved by placing all the batteries underneath.
What powers the Q4 Sportback e-tron
The Q4 Sportback e-tron is based on the all-electric MEB platform and makes use of a dual motor system, one which is positioned on the rear and the other in the front axle. The rear motor produces a generous 204 ps and 310 nm of torque, and the front motor makes 102 ps and 150 nm of torque. In all, the vehicle is powered with 306 ps and 460 nm of torque, and all this power is attained with the help of a 82 kWh battery pack.
According to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), the Q4 Sportback e-tron will have a range of 450 kms on a single complete charge. Audi claims the rear-wheel drive versions of the Q4 Sportback e-tron will be able to go up to 500 kilometers. As for the charging speeds, 0-80% battery power can be charged in just 30 minutes.
The prospects of the Q4 Sportback e-tron for India
The production process of both these vehicles should be initiated by next year, but unfortunately, no news suggests that 2 electric SUVs will be launched in India. The Indian market has been slow to join the electric race, but slowly and steadily, the electric range of cars in India is increasing. T
he newest electric vehicle to be introduced in India will be the Mercedes Benz EQC. I hope Audi considers launching the Q4 Sportback e-tron in India, as the market for electric vehicles is rising here, and it would also fare as the perfect rival for the EQC. As a vehicle though, the Q4 Sportback e-tron is a brilliant vehicle, and this might just end up being a winner for Audi.
