Audi Q4 e-Tron Concept Previews Upcoming All-Electric Compact SUV

The Audi Q4 e-tron concept SUV has just premiered at the Geneva Motor Show which opened today for the Press and on Thursday for the public. It shares many styling traits with other ‘e-tron’ badged models in Audi’s range, but also has enough unique characteristics.

At the front, the Q4 e-tron concept features a large silver faux front grille and a set of angular air intakes. There’s also a glowing e-tron badge in the lower part of the bumper and a pair of slim headlights which appear slightly softer than the aggressive lights found on other Audi models, including the Q8.

Being a concept, it sits on a set of massive wheels and tires which probably won’t make their way into production. The rear end is dominated by a pair of taillights with a mixture of sharp lines and curved edges connected with an LED light bar stretching the width of the rear. A second glowing e-tron badge is also found at the rear, sitting just above a diffuser.

Interestingly, the Q4 e-tron concept doesn’t follow in the footsteps of the existing Audi e-tron SUV with rear-view cameras and instead uses traditional wing mirrors.

Powering the Audi Q4 e-tron Concept are a pair of electric motors that deliver a combined 301 hp (225 kW) of power. Of that, 150 kW (201 hp) and 310 Nm (228 lb-ft) comes from the rear electric motor, while the e-motor up front delivers 75 kW (100 hp) and 150 Nm (110 lb-ft).

Thanks to the dual electric motor setup, the SUV features quattro all-wheel drive and thanks to the instant torque can accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a brisk 6.3 seconds. The vehicle’s top speed sits at an electronically limited 180 km/h (112 mph).

Apart from straight-line performance, however, potential customers will care about its range, too. Fitted with an 82 kWh battery pack, the SUV can exceed 450 km (279 miles) on a single charge a per the WLTP cycle. Moreover, the battery can be charged to 80 per cent of its capacity in 30 minutes.

Audi says that the Q4 e-tron Concept is technically positioned in the upper third of the compact class due to its dimensions. However, the generous 2.77-meter (9-foot) wheelbase puts it into a class above in terms of interior space. The airy cabin isparticularly roomy thanks to the lack of a traditional transmission tunnel required by an equivalent ICE-powered SUV of this size.

Speaking of the cabin, Audi has outfitted the concept with its latest Virtual Cockpit as well as a 12.3-inch touchscreen that is used to operate all infotainment and vehicle functions. The center console also includes a generous storage space with a mobile phone charging cradle.

The Q4 e-tron Concept will reach the production line at the end of 2020 and will be Audi’s fifth electric model. While the production model will look a little different, the German automaker says the visual changes will be minor. Which, given how good the concept looks, is a very good thing indeed.

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