Test: Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron 50 quattro

Audi vehicles are certainly among the most beautiful in the VW Group. The brand with the four rings has a fine knack for Design, even when it comes to finely designing a corporate product. This is also the case with the compact electric model Q4 e-tron, which like the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq uses the MEB electrical engineering kit. And like VW and Skoda, Audi also has a coupé version in its range Sportback. With Four-wheel (quattro) and 300 hp it came to the everyday test.

Like the SUV variant, the Q4 Coupé stretches to a length of 4,59 meters, but due to the slightly sloping roof it appears less massive than the normal Q4 e-tron, at least when you look from the side. Nevertheless: The coupé is also not for people who like things to be inconspicuous. More powerful radiator grill, great fender, not to be overlooked beads: The Q4 #e-tron is bursting with self-confidence.

Space around interior

Its long wheelbase (2,76 meters) suggests that there is plenty of space for passengers. It's airy at the back and front, and there are lots of shelves that make it easier to stow away bottles, bits and bobs and a smartphone. The trunk offers a lot of 535 liters in the basic position Storage space, you can do it rear seat backs around, it is up to 1.460 liters.

While the interior of the ID.4 is subdued and sober, the Audi designers have created a stylish one Environment managed. The dashboard looks elegant and functional, lots of chrome and plastic surfaces with a piano lacquer look enhance the whole thing. The test car, which was equipped with all sorts of extras, also had a steering wheel that was flattened at the top and bottom, sports seats and the full digital program on board. In addition to the virtual cockpit, large display for the infotainment system, wireless connection of smartphones, the head-up display with augmented reality function was also available. Not only are navigation instructions reflected on the windshield, but they are also accompanied by “life” images on the front camera. Very nice and also very helpful. You can see exactly what the lady on the dashboard means when she says “second left” to turn. Especially in city traffic, these detailed views are incredibly relaxing when finding your way around, and not just for people who are weak on the right and left.

Service, the best in the group?

But it's not just digital. Knobs and switches for regulating the Automatic climate control or seat heating are available; The modes (Sport, Normal, Economy) are also selected using buttons and can then be adapted to individual preferences Infotainment system is possible.

Our test car drove up as the e-tron 50 quattro. The 220 kW/299 hp in conjunction with all-wheel drive and a tightly tuned chassis invite you to steal corners. In the Sport mode All senses are heightened, and the compact Audi mutates into an athlete who masters winding terrain with precision. You then forget that you don't sit low behind the steering wheel, but quite high up, and that the Stromer weighs 2,2 tons. Straight drives on the motorway can be done up to 180 km/h, after which it stops electronically. However, most drivers are likely to take their foot off the pedal beforehand, because high speeds - nothing new - lead to high consumption and rapidly decreasing range. So if you don't have the desire or time to spend more time on the fast charger than necessary on longer tours, control your temper. Steady driving at a speed of around 120 km/h results in a consumption of 20 kWh. It is helpful to drive with a navigation system. It advises appropriate charging stops where the On-board electronics can Battery preconditioned. Ideally, the battery then draws 135 kW from the fast power source.

Talent for the country road?

You can also test your ability to save money on country roads. Activating the saving mode helps. The top speed is limited to 90 km/h, the air conditioning works with reduced performance, but the recuperation is slightly higher. The on-board computer showed 17 to 18 kWh consumption, which is right in the middle of the WLTP standard consumption of 16,7 – 19,7 kWh. By the way: Audi claims a range of up to 510 kilometers; in summer Temperatures was around 27 degrees, also due to the use of the Air conditioning, no more than 430 kilometers from the 77 kWh battery.

The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron 50 quattro cost 59.900 euros; with the extras described above, customers had to budget at least another 10.000 euros. With the new model year, however, Audi is removing this engine and the previously available rear-wheel drive with 150 kW/2014 hp from the range. A new version of the permanently excited one is arriving Synchronous motor, which should also offer better efficiency and allow a greater range thanks to new thermal management. The 210 kW/286 hp basic version (from 53.000 euros or 55 for the Sportback), for example, can travel up to 000 kilometers. The top model is the 562 e-tron quattro with 55 kW/250 hp, for which Audi is charging at least 340 euros. The wheel drive models can now draw electricity with 175 kW of power from the fast charger. However, the fact that the Audi is the most stylish compact electric car in the VW Group remains, and that configuring it also awakens (expensive) wishes.

Elfriede Munsch / SP-X