Audi Q4 Sportback 50 E-tron quattro 2021 test Car News

The Q4 E-tron couldn’t have come at a better time for Audi. Supported by government incentives from around the world, sales of electric cars – and efforts to establish an appropriate charging network infrastructure – are at an all-time high.

First revealed as a concept car at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the Q4 E-tron is a compact crossover-style SUV based on the MEB (Modularen Elektrik Baukasten, or Modular Electric Toolkit) platform. of the Volkswagen group, created specifically for electric vehicles. The development of the car was carried out with that of the recently introduced Volkswagen ID 4, Skoda Enyaq and Cupra Born – and it is produced alongside the ID 4 at a Volkswagen plant in Zwickau, Germany.

Along with their platform, the four share common powertrains as well as other key architectural elements.

The similarities are reflected in the proportions of the exterior, including the relative brevity of the hood and the way the A-pillars are put forward in an effort to maximize interior space. It gives the Q4 E-tron a unique look within the Audi range.

As with the more conventional combustion-engined Q3, buyers have a choice of two different body styles: an SUV with a sloped tailgate and the more coupe-like Sportback model, with a flatter liftback-style tailgate, driven here. .

There is no doubt about the origins of the Q4 E-tron. Up front there’s a bold masked single-frame grille with Audi’s iconic four rings. The overall styling remains true to the earlier concept, with prominent side lines above the large wheel arches and the lower part of the door intended to add structure to the otherwise smooth sidewalls, while a large spoiler at the tailgate top helps smooth the airflow through the curved roof. Audi claims a drag coefficient of 0.26, the best in its class.

It is inside that the new Audi immediately impresses. The interior is very contemporary, both in appearance and in feel. It is also higher on perceived quality than any of its Volkswagen Group siblings. The front seats are set back well, due to the steep inclination of the windshield, and the pedals are positioned relatively high due to a flat floor. However, there is a wide range of longitudinal and height adjustment, allowing you to quickly find a comfortable driving position behind the hexagonal-shaped multifunction steering wheel.

There is a large expanse of dashboard, but its materials are all very nice. Much like the clarity of the two digital displays – a 10.25-inch unit for the instruments and a standard 10.1-inch (optional 11.6-inch) headunit for the MMI infotainment system, which includes voice recognition Conversational Hey Audi. Buyers can choose from three visual configurations: Standard, Virtual, and Virtual Plus.

The Q4 E-tron is also the first Audi model to feature an augmented reality head-up display. Similar to the one available on the ID 4, it returns information, including navigation controls, to the windshield in two separate fields and with varying depth of field.

It’s a versatile driving environment and there are plenty of lockers, including large bottle holders in each of the doors. The space-saving potential of the MEB platform also combines with a relatively long wheelbase of 2764mm to offer impressive accommodation, especially at the rear, where the Q4 E-tron offers more space for legs as one of its main rivals, the BMW iX3 and Mercedes. -Benz EQA, both of which use platforms adapted from their combustion engine siblings.