Don’t get confused—the Audi E-Tron and the Audi Q4 E-Tron are two different things. While they’re both electric SUVs, the Q4 is the updated, futuristic version making its appearance today at the Geneva Motor Show. The crossover coupe is just a concept for now, but just wait—two years from now, you’ll be able to get your hands on this bad boy.
Audi’s first electric production vehicle made its debut a year ago at Geneva, so it seems fitting that they’re back in 2019 with something better. With a range of 280 miles, it’s a step up in power from the E-Tron with the same electronic speed limiter maxing the car out at 112 mph. (Important to note, though, is that that range estimate is for European WLTP standards—when it comes stateside, it’ll likely have a smaller range.) But it’s not the tech specs that distinguish the Q4 E-Tron from the other EVs in Audi’s electric line. It’s the revamped styling.
It’s a tighter exterior with more futuristic styling. The headlights are slimmer than the original E-Tron and the front end is far more aggressive than what Audi has been releasing recently (compare it to the Audi Q8's front end—a far softer, rounder look). The taper in the roof is is reminiscent of the Q8. All around, it’s a subtly revamped look for the EV line.
But the interior is where things get really interesting. Since you don’t need all that pesky internal combustion transmission equipment, there’s plenty of room inside. The infotainment system is scaled down in size and the dashboard is composed of painted, frosted Plexiglass to give it the illusion of depth and a greater sense of space.
Added to that, the heads-up display features a new augmented reality feature in what Audi calls the “virtual cockpit.” It’ll display all the important info you need—like directional arrows for your GPS projected right onto the road itself.
The Q4 E-Tron is built on the Volkswagen Group’s modular electrification platform (MEB), which is what Audi uses for all of their EVs. Dual electric motors—one per axle—power the Q4 E-Tron to 301 horsepower with 222 lb-ft of torque.
The concept is a teaser of what’s to come. The production version is set to make an appearance late in 2020 with the aim that it’ll be on sale for 2021.