- Audi is upgrading its Q4 e-tron electric crossover with a new rear electric motor that delivers increased horsepower and better efficiency.
- The base Q4 40 e-tron model will now produce 282 horsepower, up by 81 horsepower, while the Q4 50 e-tron will have 335 ponies, up from 295 horsepower.
- Audi revealed these changes for the European market, but we expect the U.S.-spec Q4 e-tron to adopt the same updates for the 2025 model year.
Audi is preparing a wave of new electric cars starting with the 2025 Q6 e-tron, but the German automaker is also ensuring that its existing EVs don’t stagnate, announcing a host of upgrades for the Q4 e-tron crossover that has been on sale in the U.S. since 2022. The revisions reach European customers this fall, but we expect the new Q4 e-tron to hit the U.S. market for the 2025 model year, with the changes affecting both the standard Q4 SUV and the sleek Sportback models.
While the Q4’s styling remains the same, under the skin the crossover is fitted with a new permanently excited synchronous motor on the rear axle, unlocking more power and range. The new motor takes the base Q4 40 e-tron from a meager 201 horsepower all the way up to 282 ponies. Audi estimates a 6.7-second sprint to 62 mph, a significant improvement over the current 7.9-second run to 60 mph, while the top speed increases from 99 mph to 112 mph to match the all-wheel-drive models. The 40 model is currently rated at 265 miles of range by the EPA, which should improve to close to 300 miles when EPA range figures are announced.
The all-wheel-drive Q4 50 e-tron, meanwhile, now produces 335 horsepower, up from 295 horsepower. While Audi quotes a 5.4-second dash to 62 mph, we recorded a 5.6-second run in the outgoing model, suggesting the new motor will make the Q4 50 e-tron even quicker than Audi predicts. The 50 model is currently rated at 236 miles of range, or 242 miles for the Sportback, with noticeable range increases expected for 2025.
The Q4’s motors continue to draw from a 77.0-kWh battery, but Audi says revised cell chemistry has shortened charging times, with the Q4 going from 10 to 80 percent charge in 28 minutes. Audi says all-wheel-drive Q4 e-trons will now max out at 175 kW when hooked up to a DC fast charger, versus 150 kW before. In Europe, rear-wheel-drive models are limited to 135 kW, but in the U.S. all models have been capable of 150 kW. Audi is also introducing a function that limits the charge level to 80 percent to extend the battery’s lifespan. The Q4 will now have a post-conditioning feature for the battery, cooling the battery if it exceeds a certain temperature after driving or charging.
Audi also claims it retuned the Q4 e-tron’s suspension for a better balance between sporty handling and comfortable cruising, and the steering is said to be more responsive. After Audi added adaptive cruise control with lane-centering for 2024, the Q4 will now be capable of assisted lane changes when using the system at over 56 mph on highways. The system checks to ensure that it is safe to change lanes and when the driver activates the turn signal the vehicle helps the driver steer into the new lane.
The Q4 also gains a new optional “character sound” that will be pumped out by two external speakers at the back of the car and two internal speakers in the rear doors. The sound changes based on speed and can be turned off at any time, although the legally required low-speed sound for pedestrian safety will always remain active.
While European customers will be be able to purchase the upgraded Q4 e-tron within the next month, the new model will likely reach American buyers sometime next year as a 2025 model. Although it’s unclear just how many of these changes will be shared with the U.S.-spec Q4 e-tron, we expect the new motor to make an appearance, with Volkswagen applying the same upgrade to the related ID.4 crossover for 2024. Prices for the Q4 should increase slightly, and U.S.-specific information should arrive soon.
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Associate News Editor
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.