Audi Debuts Q4 Sportback E-Tron Concept

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Following the triumph that was Audi’s all-electric e-tron utility (the automaker doesn’t believe in uppercase letters), the brand developed a Sportback version for 2020 that sacrificed interior volume for a fastback roofline. The manufacturer describes it as “coiled yet poised, the stylized potential of the e-tron Sportback is clear from any angle — it’s designed to attract, electrify and generate envy of ownership,” making us cringe at the sheer magnitude of its pomposity. Based on the sales record of e-tron models, we may not be alone in feeling that way.

While plenty of outlets praised the model for its luxurious ride and upscale interior with lavish technical inclusions, we’ve come down hard on its production troubles and lackluster range. That’s likely the result of us mistakenly thinking cars should be broadly useful, especially SUVs and crossovers. But we’re also hyper-critical grumps and Audi also failed to deliver on the one item that set these cars apart from their internal combustion counterparts — the battery. Our hope was that the formula would be improved for the brand’s next EV, and that does seem to have happened.

Audi just debuted the Q4 Sportback e-tron Concept to complement the Q4 EV that appeared at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.

Unlike the original e-tron twins, their extra-compact siblings will be able to surpass 200 miles during road trips. The e-tron Q4s hold a 82-kilowatt-hour battery between their axle-mounted electric motors that’s said to be good for 280 miles on the European WLTP test cycle. Single-motor variants with rear drive are estimated to make it 311 miles per charge. While both figures stand to receive a haircut when tested by the EPA, it’s still an improvement over their bigger brothers.

Styling has not strayed, however. The German habit of taking a SUV-shaped crossover and hammering it into a bulbous sedan (à la BMW X4) hasn’t abated. The Q4 Sportback e-tron Concept is basically the Q4 e-tron with a less traditional and slightly lower roofline. It also happens to be a smidgen longer at 15.1 feet. But they’re both 6.2 feet wide and have a wheelbase of 9.1 feet.

While designed similarly to the larger e-trons, the MEB-based Q4s are a bit funkier, with Audi putting a bit more stank on the Sportback overall. It has extra creases and folds with a contrasting color palate that only aids the intended effect. Their interiors boast a lot of personality yet pursue minimalism to a fault. While still in concept guise, we’ve nonetheless had to raise an obligatory eyebrow at the 12.3-inch touchscreen that seems responsible for most functions. It looks slicker than a hot dog covered in baby oil, but we’d rather keep buttons handy to cut down on the need to hunt and peck at the screen.

Audi says multiple powertrains will be on offer — not just RWD and twin-motor AWD — and plans to preview the concept with the best version. That’s the twin-motor AWD variant with a combined 225-kW (301 horsepower). The manufacturer suggests 60 mph in 6.3 seconds with a top speed of 111.8 mph. However, it will prioritize the rear axle, for the sake of efficiency, whenever possible.

[Images: Audi]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

More by Matt Posky

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 3 comments
  • Conundrum Conundrum on Jul 08, 2020

    That interior sucks for a start. And the outside, what a horror -- the Germans are transfixed by humpback hatches on stilts. If anyone can tell a Merc from a BMW from an Audi in this trendy guise from more than forty paces, phone the German Embassy and complain they look TOO different. That'll confuse someone, and serve 'em right. Sportback? Ha ha ha. Right. Sure.

  • TimK TimK on Jul 08, 2020

    I’d like to see the Rube Goldberg contraption that runs the wiper blades across that soccer field size expanse of windshield glass.

  • 1995 SC At least you can still get one. There isn't much for Ford folks to be happy about nowadays, but the existence of the Mustang and the fact that the lessons from back in the 90s when Ford tried to kill it and replace it with the then flavor of the day seem to have been learned (the only lessons they seem to remember) are a win not only for Ford folks but for car people in general. One day my Super Coupe will pop its headgaskets (I know it will...I read it on the Internet). I hope I will still be physically up to dropping the supercharged Terminator Cobra motor into it. in all seriousness, The Mustang is a.win for car guys.
  • Lorenzo Heh. The major powers, military or economic, set up these regulators for the smaller countries - the big guys do what they want, and always have. Are the Chinese that unaware?
  • Lorenzo The original 4-Runner, by its very name, promised something different in the future. What happened?
  • Lorenzo At my age, excitement is dangerous. one thing to note: the older models being displayed are more stylish than their current versions, and the old Subaru Forester looks more utilitarian than the current version. I thought the annual model change was dead.
  • Lorenzo Well, it was never an off-roader, much less a military vehicle, so let the people with too much money play make believe.
Next