Our cars Future fleet success
We look back at our time with two Audi Q4 E-Tron models. Martyn Collins
Despite only being used for short work and family trips, it felt like the Q4 E-Tron was getting its mojo back after the festive break. It was still proving impressively relaxing to drive and after the recent worrying drop in range, that seemed to be improving too. I was looking forward to my remaining time with this all-electric Audi and taking it well past the 5,000-mile mark.
Then I had an accident and the Q4 was quickly whisked away by Audi for investigation and repair – sadly, I have not seen it since. Ironically, just as one Audi left my drive, another Q4 E-Tron, a 40, but this time with the sleeker Sportback body arrived.
The two-wheeled drive 40 is probably better suited for fleet than the 50 Quattro we had. Although I do admit, I did appreciate the 50’s extra performance and traction over the five months or so that I had it. However, the 40, which still had 201hp, had more than enough poke for daily use and the throttle response felt easier to modulate. Plus, the biggest 320-mile range of the Q4 E-Tron with the 40 seems believable, as we saw two 270-mile charges during the week we had the car, in cold late-January weather. Our 50 Quattro had the biggest 20in alloy wheels, the 40 Sportback had more modest, but still attractive in 19in alloys. I can’t lie, the 20in 5-Y-Spoke alloy wheels on our Q4 looked the part, but the resulting unsettled low-speed ride, was one of the biggest demerits of this car. Dropping a wheel size equalled a more comfortable, compliant ride – especially at low speed. Road noise was significantly reduced too.
Why we’re running it
To see how Audi’s baby electric vehicle works for fleet.
Audi Q4 E-tron 50 Quattro 220kW S-Line
P11D price £51,315 As tested £63,295 Official consumption 270 miles Our average consumption 2.8 kWh/ miles Mileage 4800
Outside, with its curvy rear styling, there is no doubt the Sportback is the more attractive Q4. However, the split glass tailgate compromises rear vision even further. This is on top of the fact that all-round vision isn’t great on the standard Q4 E-Tron, either. A rear camera should be standard rather than optional in the Comfort and Sound pack, in my opinion.
Inside, the Sportback’s curvy styling does rob rear headroom, but interior space is still impressive, and the sports seats are comfortable and supportive. I would still pick the Q4 E-Tron over the Volkswagen iD.3 and Skoda Enyaq sister cars, thanks to its more conventional interior with proper dials and physical controls for the ventilation. Although the interior plastics did not feel as special in the 40 and 50 as you might expect of an Audi.
Other specification items that impressed me during my time with both cars, were the optional Matrix LED headlights. This light technology is popular with other manufacturers, but even after trying many rivals, the Audi’s seemed to be best in my opinion. Giving more light and security for longer – they just work, and work very well. If I was speccing a Q4 E-Tron they would be on the options list, despite the hefty £1,075 price. Another worthwhile option was the SONOS Premium Sound System, part of the Comfort and Sound package at £1,295. The sound quality and strong bass reproduction could be made the most of thanks to the
44 | March 2022 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
Standard equipment on 220kW S-Line: LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights, front sport seats, MMI Navigation Plus with 10.1in touch screen, Audi Virtual Cockpit, three-zone air-con, 20in 5-Y-Spoke alloy wheels
Optional equipment (£3,635): Matrix LED headlights (£1,075), Safety Package Plus (£650), Function Package (£325), Ambient lighting Pack Plus (£100), Technology Pack (£1,200), Flat top and bottom steering wheel with paddles (£285)
lack of engine noise – and helped shrink journey times.
On the move the Adaptive Cruise control, part of the £1,425 Assistance Package Advanced, was another standout feature of our Q4 E-Tron. The fact that it detects vehicles ahead via a radar sensor and keeps them at an adjustable safe distance made for smoother more efficient motorway trips. Once I trusted the system, it was just a case of switch on and forget.
I will miss the Q4 E-Tron; it proved to me that with decent range and charging capabilities, an electric vehicle can work for me as a daily. It looked great, drove well, and deserves its inevitable future fleet success. I just hope the public charging structure improves to keep pace. with the abilities of models like this.
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