The All-New Audi Q4 e-tron Showcases New Features

Audi has just launched its new Audi Q4 e-tron, which exceeds what the current class has to offer. The new model features a revamped interior which offers practicality and comfort for its passengers.

The Q4 e-tron presents itself as all-rounder, suitable for any task a household’s main car. The exterior of the vehicle showcases their place in the larger compact SUV segment, measuring at 4,590 mm long, 1,865 mms wide and 1,613 mms high. 

Interior-wise, the passengers can enjoy a generously spacious interior thanks to the flat step in exchange for a center tunnel. The Q4 e-tron also comes with generous storage compartments, which adds up to 24.8 litres. Included are also cup and bottle holders, storage compartment with cover, USB type-C sockets and the Audi phone box upon request. 

The luggage compartment of this new model provides 520 litres of space, but with the 40:20:40 split folding seats the Q4 e-tron can accommodate 1,490 litres of space. Provided are also a partition net and luggage compartment package upon request. 

For the Q4 e-tron, Audi is relying on a fully digital operating and display concept with a flat menu structure as well. It comprises four levels which are the Audi virtual cockpit for the driver, central MMI touch display, natural-language voice control, and the optional augmented reality head-up display.

Speaking of augmented reality, Audi provides an optional augmented reality head-up display which reflects important information via the windshield. It is separated into two leves, the status section and augmented reality (AR) section. The information by some of the assist and navigation systems are superimposed visually which makes it appear to be floating at a physical distance of roughly ten meters away from the driver. 

The heart of the head-up display is the picture generation unit (PGU) which directs the light beams from the LCD onto two level mirrors. A special optical component is also included to separate the portions for the near-field and distant areas. 

Meanwhile, the AR Creator serves as the mastermind and picture generator on the software side. It is a processing unit that comprises multiple individual modules which renders the display symbols and adapts them to the geometry of the projection optics. At the same time, it calculates their location which is obtained via the raw data of the front camera. Its software consists of roughly 600,000 lines of programming code which is 5- percent more than the entire control system of the first Space Shuttle.

The augmented reality head-up display showcases impressive navigation. The floating arrow, or known as the drone will announce any turning manoeuvre before animation steers are shown. Even with the adaptive cruise assist enabled, the head-up display will still assist the driver with visual hints. 

The standard digital instrument cluster comes in a 10.25-inch screen which is operated via the multifunction steering wheel. The power meter also displays summaries of any important information on the drive. The Audi virtual cockpit on the other hand integrates the navigation map and infotainment control, and can be switched between the two views. 

Meanwhile, the MMI touch display has a 10.1-inch diagonal which is configured as an MMI radio with DAB reception as standard. It is used to control the infotainment system as well as a few comfort functions. For the optional large version, it comes in an 11.6-inch diagonal and is the largest display in the Audi portfolio. 

Audi also presented a natural-language voice control which is activated with a “Hey Audi”. The third control level in the model understands many entries and requests in everyday language and an online comparison can be performed with the inclusion of the advanced MMI navigation. 

The seatings for the Q4 e-tron are available in the traditional leather material and as well as recycled materials, which are the Dinamica and Puls upholstery. The Dinamica combines artificial leather and microfiber material which feels like suede, but is made of 45 percent recycled bottles. The recycled polyester is mainly sourced from materials such as textiles and PET bottles.

For the Puls upholstery, it combines artificial leather and secondary raw materials. The further option for the interior S line is made up of textile that consists of up to 50 percent of recycled PET bottles, which is then transformed into yarn. This results in a material that is similar to conventional textile upholstery in terms of look and feel. 

Safety-wise, the front seats feature center airbags which unfold from the right-hand bolster of the driver’s seat which avoids collision between the driver and front passenger. Seat heating, electric adjustment and electric lumbar support are also available as options.  

The Audi Q4 e-tron plays a crucial role in the brand’s electrification strategy which follows the large SUV models e-tron, e-tron Sportback and the e-tron GT. With an attractive and fast-growing market segment, the vehicle offers users to indulge in a world of premium electric mobility at an attractive price.