The 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron electric crossover has been enhanced with a new motor and revamped battery cell technology to enhance its range, speed, and charging efficiency as per Audi’s recent announcement. Audi has consolidated these upgrades into a new model, the Q4 55 E-Tron, supplanting the previous 40 and 50 E-Tron models, and with a higher initial cost.
The 2024 Q4 55 E-Tron SUV, equipped with dual-motor all-wheel drive, now comes with a price tag of $56,395, which includes a $1,195 destination fee. This represents a $5,400 markup from the Q4 40 model that was priced at $50,995, albeit with rear-wheel drive. The Q4 50 E-Tron, which also includes dual-motor all-wheel drive, was almost at par with the Q4 55 E-Tron in terms of pricing, demonstrating a better value proposition due to the increased range and power of the Q4 55.
For an additional fee of $3,000, shoppers can opt for the coupe-style variant known as the Q4 55 Sportback.
The enhancements to the Q4 comprise a more effective rear engine with improved cooling, boosting the horsepower from 40 hp to 335 hp, consequently reducing the 0-60 mph sprint by 0.8 seconds to 5.0 seconds. Audi has also updated the battery cell technology, enhancing the DC rapid charging rate from 150 to 175 kw, facilitating a 28-minute time frame for reaching a state of charge between 10-80%. The Q4 E-Tron now features both pre-conditioning and post-conditioning of the battery to regulate temperature during charging or driving sessions.
Overall, the modifications have addressed the previous limitation of range in the Q4: EPA now estimates 258 miles, a 22-mile improvement over the Q4 50 AWD variant. Similar changes to the related 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 resulted in an AWD expansion to 263 miles of range. Additionally, Audi is introducing 21-inch wheels for the Q4 E-Tron for the first time, although it’s expected to have a minor impact on the range. The sleeker Sportback versions offer a few extra miles of range, but these models are still awaiting EPA certification.
Audi has also fine-tuned the suspension and steering to enhance responsiveness, addressing a previous drawback noted during our test drive of the 2023 Audi Q4.
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