Having rolled-out a series of updates of three years ago, Audi debuted another revised version of the Q4 e-tron on the eve of the Beijing Motor Show last week.
Applicable to both the standard Q4 and the coupe-styled Sportback, the latest revisions not only involves the interior, but a raft of changes to the interior as well.
New outside
Globally revealed five years ago, the exterior tweaks are minor and include a now colour-coded sealed Singleframe grille, a Selenite Silver Matte finish for the bumper blades on S line derivatives, new alloy wheel designs and black accents for the roof strips.
A new rear spoiler, customisable functions for the equally new LED and Matrix LED headlights, new wing elements on the front bumper and a revised D-pillar rounds the exterior off, together with the Mythos Black styling package.
Physical switchgear reduction
Making up the bulk of the changes, the interior takes leave of the majority of the physical switchgear on both the infotainment system and centre console.
For the central MMI display, the setup increases in size from 11.6 to 12.8-inches, with the instrument cluster now measuring 11.9-inches.
A new option is a 12-inch MMI display on the passenger’s side, as well as an improved augemented reality Head-Up Display and a restyled centre console.
Also new are the redesigned air vents, two ventilated wireless smartphone charging pads, up to two rear type-C USB ports, standard ambient lighting and sport seats, and the cost extra Sonos sound system.
Finally, Audi has also improved the materials and re-introduced physical buttons and scrollers to the steering wheel.
Improved charging, more power
On the power front, the Q4 now supports bi-directional charging up to 3.6 kW. At the same time, DC charging time supports increases from 175 kW to 182 kW as a result of a larger battery pack and electric motors. Accordingly, charging now takes 27 minutes from 10-80%
As before, the line-up kicks off with the 59-kWh single-motor developing 150kW/350Nm. Audi claims a top speed of 160 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and 32 km added kilometres for a 451 km range.
Stepping up to the Performance brings the new 82-kWh battery that develops 210kW/545Nm in single motor guise.
The claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time falls to 6.6 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 180 km/h. Claimed range is the most of any Q4 at 592 km.
Up next, the quattro adds to a second electric motor for a total of 220 kW. No combined torque figure was disclosed.
Though with the same top speed as the Performance, the quattro gets from 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and on to 573 km on a single charge.
Finally, the quattro Performance makes 250 kW, which Audi claims will see it get from 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. Its claimed range is 554 km and top speed limited to 180 km/h.
Still not for us
Now available for ordering from €47 500 in Germany, which amounts to R930 095 when directly converted and without taxes, neither the Q4 e-tron nor the Q4 e-tron Sportback are expected in South Africa anytime soon.
