Our cars Lighting up
As winter properly sets in, Martyn appreciates the Q4 E-Tron’s matrix LED lights.
Martyn Collins
As I write, it has only been a couple of weeks now since we lost an hour, equalling shorter days and darker nights. This, and one of the dreariest starts to November, has seen my admiration grow for our Audi Q4’s matrix LED lights.
The reason why I’m highlighting the Q4 E-Tron’s headlights, is that in my opinion, while rivals such as BMW offer a similar solution – the Audi’s is the best. I say this in context, as headlight glare has been back on the government agenda this year, with motoring organisations such as the RAC highlighting an independent survey of 2,000 drivers – of which 89% thought that at least some headlights on cars were too bright.
I can safely say that in almost 3,000 miles together, which have included some late night and early morning drives, not once have I been flashed by other road users because I’ve dazzled them. The Audi’s matrix LED lights are split into two halves, the top half made up of an LED signature, that offers a choice of four designs via the MMI infotainment system. Plus, dynamic indicators that strobe, telling other drivers where you’re turning. However, the black lower part of these lights is the cleverest – as it conceals the low beam and matrix LED high-beam units. They are regulated by the central camera at the top of the windscreen, which, when it detects other vehicles or people, responds in microseconds to
Why we’re running it
To see how the updated Audi Q4 E-Tron works for fleet.
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hide only that area – with the high beam still active.
These headlights are also one of the most distinctive parts of the Q4’s exterior design, the darkened finish working particularly with the Black Edition’s standard dark trim. These lights are part of the £1,495 Technology Pack, but in our opinion this pack justifies its price, by including other niceties such as the punchy SONOS Premium Sound System, and the convenient Audi phone box light, with wireless charging.
Back to the headlights, and the reason I’m such a fan of the Q4 E-Tron’s lights, is that they are brighter for longer – which in these dark months, must be good for safety.
Elsewhere, issues with my previous home charger have meant the Q4 E-Tron hasn’t received a full charge all month. Instead, it has been operating in “Safe Mode,” which means 80% charges are all we’ve been getting. However, as I’ve said before, because of this Audi’s impressive efficiency, and my mostly short trips, this hasn’t really caused any issues. Although, an 80%
charge, which used to equal a 220-mile range, has now dipped to just under 200 – probably a result of having to use items such as the heating, heated seats, and windscreen wipers more.
Despite the murky and mucky weather, I was pleased to give the Q4 E-Tron a well- deserved wash. The optional Navarra Blue metallic paint (£695) still looks great, and seems to be standing up well, although its upright nose has equalled some deep chips on the bonnet – which is disappointing. Plus, muck seems to collect in the difficult-to-clean channels of the split rear window.
Elsewhere, like our last Q4 E-Tron, the haptic controls, seem to have developed a mind of their own as it has got colder.
Ohme has helpfully supplied a new charger, so I’ll be watching the range and efficiency more carefully in my final month with this Audi.
Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback 45 Black Edition
P11D £58,235 Price as tested £61,240 Official range 330 miles Average consumption 3.4 miles/kWh Mileage 2,850 miles
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