2019 Geneva Motor Show: Audi Q4 e-tron Concept Revealed

German luxury carmaker Audi has revealed the all-electric Q4 e-tron concept SUV at the 89th Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. The Q4 e-tron concept is the fifth EV that Audi has revealed since the previous Geneva Motor Show.

The all-new Audi Q4 e-tron concept is the first vehicle from the German carmaker to be based on the Volkswagen Group's Modularer Elektrobaukasten (MEB) platform developed especially for electric vehicles. The Q4 e-tron also marks the first time that one of the VW Group's premium car brands has made use of the MEB platform.

The Audi Q4 e-tron is powered by two electric motors — one on each axle — that combine together to produce 302bhp and 460Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system and this allows the Q4 e-tron to sprint from 0–100km/h in just 6.3 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 179km/h.

The electric motors on the Q4 e-tron draw electricity from an 82kWh battery pack which weighs in at 510 kilograms. The large battery pack gives the Q4 e-tron a range of over 450 kilometres on a single charge as per the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) standards. The battery pack supports up to 125-kilowatt fast charging, which replenishes 80 per cent of the power pack's charge in just 30 minutes.

The battery pack is placed in between the axles and forms a flat, broad block beneath the passenger compartment, which also helps keep the centre of gravity low on the electric SUV. In regular driving conditions, the battery pack only powers the rear motor for better efficiency. Power is sent to the front motor only when the electric SUV concept is accelerating hard or if traction levels are low.

The Audi Q4 e-tron measures in at 4,590mm long, 1,900mm wide and 1,610mm tall. The wheelbase of the concept electric SUV from Audi is 2,770mm long. The Q4 e-tron features a MacPherson axle with adaptive dampers up front while at the rear, the SUV features a multi-link axle with separate springs and adaptive dampers.

Regarding design, the Q4 e-tron's shape is rather conventional. However, there are quite a few design elements that separate it from Audi's internal combustion SUV lineup. These include the upright octagonal frame up front that replaces the conventional radiator grille. The Q4 e-tron draws in air from large vents that sit underneath the Matrix LED headlamps and stretch all the way down to the front apron.

At the rear, the window is quite sharply raked and the taillights stretch across the rear end of the SUV. The Q4 e-tron concept sits on large 22-inch alloy wheels. The concept SUV features a bespoke 'Solar Sky' paint job that reflects back a section of sunlight that helps keep the SUV cooler during summer months which in turn increases efficiency.

Inside, the Audi Q4 e-tron sports a large 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The dashboard setup seems to be quite similar to the one seen on the e-tron GT. The Q4 e-tron concept is a strict four-seater, however, the final version of the SUV — production on which starts at the end of 2020 — will be able to seat five people.