2021 Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron concept

The 2021 Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback concept was introduced virtually to the Global press corps by a slate of corporate executives, including Markus Duesmann, Chairman of Audi’s Supervisory Board.

The Audi Q4 e-tron SUV concept was originally introduced at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show last March.

Streamed live, the actual introduction of the all-new Sportback version of the Q4 e-tron was handled by Audi’s head of Design, Marc Lichte. Mr. Lichte pointed out that the new Sportback was all about creating an emotional design. At the core of the Audi design language was the Quattro racing heritage. Despite being a Q or SUV product, the vehicle paid homage to the brand’s sporting legacy with the dramatic flared wheel arches, especially at the rear where the fenders flowed back to a pronounced ledge at the rear of the vehicle.

At the heart of Audi’s Sportback models, is a fast looking, sloping roofline profile. The Q4 e-tron Sportback, the tapered roofline runs back over the rear glass surface to a sporty looking yet functional rear spoiler. The rear aerodynamic element reduces the vehicles drag and thus increases the range of the all-electric Q4 Sportback.

Up front, Audi’s iconic single frame grille has been filled in with a solid surface to identify the vehicle as an e-tron model. Mr. Lichte also pointed out a new feature of the design was the ability for drivers to customize or choose the actual daytime running light graphic of the front light system.

Overall the Q4 e-tron Sportback has a long 2.8 metre wheelbase. As there isn’t an internal combustion engine up front, that long wheelbase has translated into additional interior room, comparable to that found in its C series sedans such as the Audi A6.

Instead of the heart of the vehicle being an engine, engineers are able to recalibrate the cabin environment and vehicle dynamics. No longer does a heavy bulky engine sit in-front of the passenger compartment, but rather a flat heavy battery sits beneath the passenger seats, between the wheels. This allows for better weight balance and should translate into better handling with the lower centre of gravity.

The Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback in built on the Volkswagen Group’s dedicated electric, MEB, Platform. The platform was developed to share the cost of scaling up electrification of the VW Groups various brands. Other models using the platform include a slate of VW ID models as well as others from Seat and Skoda.

Regarding the interior, Mr. Lichte focused on digital features on the interior including a new augmented reality Heads Up Display (HUD). One feature highlighted were navigation directional arrows projected in front of the driver, overlaying the actual view of the roadways being navigated.

Tilted toward the driver, a 12.3 inch touchscreen doubles as the infotainment input centre and vehicle systems control centre.

n doubles as the infotainment input centre and vehicle systems control centre.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback as with the regular Q4 e-tron, is fitted with two electric motors with a combined output of 225 kW. The motors are fed by an 82 kilowatt battery that will provide 450 kms of range for Quattro all-wheel-drive units.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 kms per hour takes 6.3 seconds and top speed has been limited to 180 kms/hr.

The Quattro all wheel drive system is identical to that found in the traditional shaped Q4 e-tron, front and rear electric motors linked by electrical connection as opposed to the mechanical linkage found in gasoline powered Audi’s. The system utilizes the rear motor in usual operation but when slippage is sensed or predicted, torque is requested from the front electric motor.

Consumers have been used to regular combustion engine model, modified for electric propulsion. With the introduction of the Audi e-tron SUV in 2018, Audi has embarked on building purpose built electric platforms and expects to have 20 all-electric models in its line up by 2025.

Audi expects to have the the Q4 e-tron in showrooms sometime in 2021.