EV Brief 4/15/21 EV Brief 4/15/21

Audi Q4 e-tron, Q4 Sportback e-tron debut with up to 520km range, 220kW power

Audi’s Q4 e-tron has been unveiled, and features rear and all wheel drive variants with two different battery sizes, all wrapped in the brand’s progressive, modern design language. Wheels pushed to each corner, aggressive light graphics and sharp angles; this SUV is all about muscular presence.

Two battery sizes, three model variants for Audi’s newest EV

Three versions available in Sportback and regular body styles:
- 35 e-tron with 52 kWh battery/341-349 km (211-216 mi) range
- 40 e-tron with 77 kWh battery/520 km (323 mi) range
- 50 e-tron quattro with 77 kWh battery/488-497 km (303-308 mi) range
Based on Volkswagen’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB), shared with VW ID.4
Charging up to 100/125 kW depending on model
Audi claims carbon neutral production footprint for Q4 e-tron
Priced from EUR 41,900 in Germany, and “below $45,000 US” in the United States before federal EV tax credits

❤️Congratulations @Audioffical on the world premiere of the #Audi #Q4etron & #Audi #Q4Sportbacketron! Interesting: Both #MEB models are manufactured alongside #VWID3 & #VWID4 in the #Zwickau #VW plant. So we are now a multi-brand location! 2 more #BEV will follow 😎 pic.twitter.com/TB7J0YKK7P
— vwsachsen_en (@vwsachsen_en) April 14, 2021

Underpinned by Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive matrix (MEB) architecture, this vehicle shares a platform with VW’s ID.3 and ID.4 range, and is likely the first of many electric Audis to be based on this modular architecture.

The Q4 e-tron even shares a production line with its VW siblings, manufactured at the group’s Zwickau, Germany plant. Audi even claims a carbon-neutral manufacturing footprint for the Q4 e-tron, from battery and materials supply chains to the Zwickau plant itself.

Audi’s Q4 50 e-tron quattro. Image: Audi AG

Exterior Design

Reassuringly familiar yet refreshingly modern; these are traits that Audi designers somehow manage to weave into each new model. We feel a number of contemporary Audi models have become quite fussy in their designs, but the Q4 e-tron, whilst muscular, is all about width and horizontal lines.

The front of the Q4 e-tron is dominated by the requisite single-frame grille, however the gently cascading hood and three dimensionality of the front surfaces and headlights present a design that is less brutish and better resolved than say the larger Q8 SUV.

Pronounced hip lines and bulges in the lower doors help to accentuate the wheels, and reduce any slab-sided appearance to the side profile of the Q4 e-tron. The rear again accentuates width and aggression through a de rigueur horizontal light bar, and contrasting diffuser. S-Line versions of both Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron are available, and provide an enhanced exterior styling package.

Exterior dimensions are as good as identical to Volkswagen’s ID.4; 4,588 mm long, 1,865 mm wide, 1,632 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2760 mm. There’s a familiarity in the proportions between the two sister products, without a feeling of sameness.

Audi Q4 50 e-tron quattro Edition One gallery

Interior Design

The first thing you notice about the interior of the Q4 e-tron is that new floating console; gear selection, power on/off, hazard lights and drive modes remain accessible by the driver in the form of hard buttons. There’s also a small touch sensitive pad for passengers to adjust volume and select audio tracks.

This floating console frees up a large storage area underneath, with two USB-C ports, a 12V outlet, and wireless phone charging. Just below the main infotainment screen, many (including us) will be pleased to see hardware buttons for the HVAC system; far superior for quick climate adjustment to a touchscreen when powering down a bumpy road.

Moving up to the top of the dash, and it appears Audi is going for a Lamborghini-lite aesthetic, with plenty of angular surfaces, chunky air vents and an LCD screen — available in 10.1 or 11.6 inches — angled towards the driver. The main instrument cluster features Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, and the steering wheel controls are all digital, with slide or press control for various functions. Helpfully, they provide haptic feedback, replicating an old fashioned button.

An optional panoramic glass sunroof extends over the passenger cabin, and provides a sense of space for front and rear seat passengers. Leather upholstery is still the norm in the Q4 e-tron, but the optionally available S line interior provides the possibility of specifying a combination of artificial leather and Dinamica or Puls upholstery, which utilises secondary raw materials such as recycled plastics and old PET bottles.

Q4 e-tron interior Gallery

Battery and Drivetrain

Customers have the option of regular Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron body styles, the latter being Audi’s terminology for a coupe-style SUV. For those with a performance bent, the Q4 50 e-tron quattro will be the model to choose, offering a 77 kWh battery with 220 kW (299 PS) and 460 Nm (340 lb ft). This model offers 488 km (303 mi) and 497 km (308 mi) of range respectively for the e-tron and the Sportback e-tron. If absolute range is your priority, the rear wheel drive Q4 40 e-tron offers 150 kW (204 PS) and 310 Nm (228 lb ft) as well as 520 km (323 mi) range.

All models feature a permarmanent magnet synchronous motor on the rear axle, mated to a single-speed transmission with differential. The motor has a maximum speed of 16,000 rpm, and Audi claims a low weight of 90 kg (198 lb) for this motor. quattro all wheel drive variants add an asynchronous motor to the front wheels with a coaxial layout; Audi claims this setup reduces driveline drag when inactive and that the weight of the front unit is around 60 kg (132 lb).

Audi’s Q4 e-tron range features advanced thermal management, with two coolant circuits to control the temperature of the electric motors, the charging system, the DC/DC converter and more. This system aims to increase battery temperature soon after setting off on a drive, with a target temperature of around 30 degrees celsius (86F). Interestingly, a heat pump —now standard across other manufacturers’ models— is optional for the Q3 e-tron. This device essentially uses waste heat from electric components that would otherwise be lost to the atmosphere to power things like the HVAC system.

Q4 Sportback 50 e-tron quattro gallery

Safety, Technology and Autonomy

Q4 e-tron models feature front radar, four surround-view cameras, one front view camera, rear radar and eight ultrasonic sensors as part of an extensive driver assistance system. Audi’s autonomous braking system known as Audi pre sense front also features a turn assist system, that intervenes in a dangerous system in a left hand turn (for left hand drive vehilces) or a right hand turn (for right hand drive vehicles). Predictive efficiency assist evaluates navigation data, traffic and speed signs, and helps a driver save energy. Audi’s adaptive cruise control, in conjunction with adaptive cruise assist controls the distance between the Q4 e-tron and the vehicle travelling in front, and also ads lane guidance to keep drivers in their lane.

There’s two dynamic packages available, lowering the body by 15 millimeters, and adding dynamic handling within the Audi drive select system. The second ‘dynamic package plus’ adds adjustable suspension with damper control, and constantly evaluates the driving situation by regulating oil flow in the dampers. This change oil viscosity within each damper can produce a variety of ride comfort options, and Audi first debuted this technology back in the B7 RS4 and 8J TT models.

On the inside, there’s a new augmented reality head-up display, providing a visual overlay of navigation and assist systems before the drivers’ eyes. Using a processing unit within the modular infotainment system known as the AR Creator, symbols and graphics can be rendered at 60 frames per second and are adapted to the geometry of the projection optics on the fly, while the system calculates objects and their location relative to the environment, and compares this to radar, GPS and camera data. Sounds complicated? Audi claims this system’s software alone consists of roughly 600,000 lines of programming code; 50 percent more than the entire control system of the first generation Space Shuttle.

The Q4 e-tron is the second all electric SUV in Audi’s line up, and is part of the Volkswagen Group’s commitment to electrified vehicles and reduced fleet emissions. The automaker plans a one size fits all cell design, and hopes to have six battery ‘gigafactories’ across Europe producing battery cells and packs for its vehicles by 2030. Scroll down for galleries of the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron.

Scroll down for galleries of additional imagery.

Audi Q4 50 e-tron quattro gallery

Q4 e-tron technical renderings

EV Brief 3/19/21 EV Brief 3/19/21

MG reveals next generation EVs; Marvel R Electric crossover set for May 2022 European launch [Updated]

MG Motor has pulled the covers off its Marvel R Electric SUV this week. Self-described by the company as “a high-tech, luxurious ‘lifestyle’ SUV for the C-segment”, the Marvel R Electric is essentially an export-version carbon copy of sister SAIC brand Roewe’s Marvel R.

MG Marvel R features tri-motor design, 400km WLTP range with vehicle-to-load technology

MG Marvel R Electric [updated]

[Update] Speaking with Tim Robson, PR and Communications Manager for MG Motor Australia EV Brief was told "We're excited to see what MG Motor Europe has shown with the Marvel R, and we reckon Australians would love its performance, technology and styling. However, it's not on the cards for Australia at the moment."

MG Motor has pulled the covers off its Marvel R Electric SUV this week. Self-described by the company as “a high-tech, luxurious ‘lifestyle’ SUV for the C-segment”, the Marvel R Electric is essentially an export-version carbon copy of sister SAIC brand Roewe’s Marvel R.

This “R” sub-brand was conceived to promote higher-end vehicles of a sportier design aesthetic, and these cars are marketed though a stand-alone dealer network in China.

The MG Marvel R Electric does indeed appear to be high-tech, with a tri-motor drivetrain (albeit with “only” 212 kW (288 PS). One can only assume that MG Motor has chosen a three motor setup—one of the front axel and two on the rear—so as to integrate smaller, more compact and efficient motor designs into its BEVs. The company has not provided a curb weight figure however.

The Marvel R Electric boasts a peak torque figure of 665 Nm, (490 lb ft) and a claimed 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 4.9 seconds. According to MG Motor’s press release, a rear-wheel-drive variant will also be available; presumably with a two-motor setup to accommodate a front trunk.

At 4,674 mm long with a 2,800mm wheelbase, 1,919 mm wide and 1,618 mm tall, The Marvel R Electric is slightly longer, and wider than Volkswagen’s ID.4 (4,585 mm long, 2,765 mm wheelbase, 1,852 mm width, 1,636 height)

The Marvel R Electric has a pleasingly contemporary appearance; one that is far removed from the traditional-yet-handsome ZS EV. Wide front and rear LED light strips—de rigueur these days it seems—dominate the design, and pleasing surface creases and aggressive vents give the Marvel R Electric some street appeal.

The interior is also a step up from the ZS EV, with soft touch materials across the doors and dashboard, metal-finish switchgear, a full LCD driver’s display measuring 12.3 inches and large vertically-mounted touchscreen of almost 20 inches—a la Tesla Model X and Mustang Mach-E—dominating the console.

MG Marvel R Electric provisional specifications

Tri-Motor 212 kW / 665 Nm*
All-Wheel Drive (Tri-motor)
>400 km WLTP range*
1.8 sec (0-50 km/h acceleration)*
4.9 sec (0-100 km/h acceleration)*
200 km/h (top speed)*
11 kW AC Charger (3-phase fast charging)
30 min to 80% battery level fast-charging capacity
750 kg towing capacity*
Digital cockpit with 19.4” floating screen
MG Pilot – advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
Climate control with heat pump
V2L 2,500W power supply for external usage

Battery technology

MG Motor claims a WLTP range of over 400 kilometres, and although battery specifications haven’t been provided, it’s safe to assume that the MG will share Roewe’s 69.9 kWh gross battery capacity. There’s also 11kW AC charging on board, and DC charging that can achieve 80% SoC in 30 minutes. MG hasn’t provided a DC charging rate, but from the above figure we can assume it will be around 100-120kW.

The MG Marvel R Electric is expected to launch in Europe from May 2021. We have contacted MG Motor Australia about possible availability, and will update with their response.

The SAIC Roewe Marvel-R, on which the MG Marvel R is based. Image: Forma car News

MG5 Electric Wagon

Also not to be missed, was MG’s announcement of a facelift for its MG5 electric station wagon (or estate, or touring depending on where you reside).

This update brings a fresher face to the current version’s plain styling. Don’t dismiss the MG5 purely on aesthetic grounds however. A practical, spacious wagon with 578l trunk space priced from £24,495 (after Plug In Car Grant) helped the brand to strong UK sales in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MG5 offers a similar 400 kilometre WLTP range to the Marvel R, and features a single drive motor with 135 kW (184 ps) and 280 Nm of torque. 11kW AC charging and high-speed DC charging are standard.

We can expect to see the MG5 Electric hitting the streets of Europe in October 2021.

MG5 Electric provisional specifications

World’s first electric station wagon
>400 km (WLTP range)*
578L (trunk volume)
1,456L trunk volume max
135 kW / 280 Nm electric motor*
3.4 sec (0-50 km/h acceleration)*
8.3 sec (0-100 km/h acceleration)*
11 kW AC Charger (3-phase fast charging)
30 min to 80% battery level fast-charging capacity
500 kg towing capacity*
75 kg roof load*
MG Pilot – advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
V2L 2,500W power supply for external usage

EV Brief 3/14/21 EV Brief 3/14/21

2022 Audi Q4 e-tron previewed with 450km range, augmented reality tech

With aspirations to dominate every market segment, the Volkswagen Group is looking to utilise its electric vehicle architecture across multiple brands and vehicle classes. Enter the Q4 e-tron: the first Audi model based on the Modularer E-Antriebs-Baukastenmodular, or modular electric drive toolkit as a literal translation.

Audi reveals pre-production MEB-based 2022 Q4 e-tron

Based on Audi’s Modularer E-Antriebs-Baukastenmodular (MEB) architecture
The smallest e-tron SUV in Audi’s line up at 4,590mm (15.1 ft) long, 1,865 millimeters (6.1 ft) wide, and 1,613 millimeters (5.3 ft) high
Two electric motors with 224 kW (304 PS), 82kWh battery with claimed 450 km (280 mile) range
Fully digital operating concept with augmented reality head-up display
Upholstery materials with recycled polyester
Worldwide reveal set for April 2021

Q4 e-tron spearheads Audi’s compact electric crossover rollout

The MEB is designed exclusively for EVs, and already underpins the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4, as well as the Škoda Enyaq. It’s flexibility will see use across future Volkswagen family models, including from the Cupra brand.

Q4 e-tron battery and drivetrain

Packing an 82kWh battery likely to be manufactured by LG Chem, the Q4 e-tron should have a WLTP range of 450 km (280 miles) and can be charged up to 125 kW. With two electric motors outputting a combined 224 kW (304 PS), Audi claims a 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) time of 6.4 seconds.

Of course, quattro -all-wheel-drive will be standard, and it’s expected that adaptive air suspension will also be a feature on the Q4 e-tron.

Exterior Styling

My, didn’t Audi’s wrappers have a field day? Graphics aside, the Q4 e-tron has many familiar Audi design cues. Those slim LED headlights with segmented daytime running lights, that single-frame grille (though perhaps it’s time for Audi to ditch this when it serves no function) the pronounced rear wheel arches and angular taillights.

At 4,590mm (15.1 ft) long, it’s around 10cm longer than a Q3, though that may be hard to discern in the metal. Audi will likely be producing a Q4 e-tron Sportback, complete with cut-off plunging roofline.

Technology and Interior

Audi is promoting the technical innovations and interior features of the Q4 e-tron in the lead up to the vehicle’s global reveal. With the latest version of the Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI), drivers will have a head-up display with augmented reality features that can project important information over objects in the driver’s line of site, similar to technology already deployed by Mercedes-Benz.

The usual passive and active safety features are expected, such as blind spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistant, front collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous capabilities.

Audi also claims the Q4 e-tron offers similar exterior dimensions to a Q3 SUV, but with Q5 levels of space on the inside. The luggage compartment provides 520 litres (18.4 cu ft) of space for luggage, and the 2.76 metre (9.1 ft) long wheelbase should provide comfortable foot, knee and legroom for front and rear seat passengers.

It’s nice to see the shift away from leather interiors; to each their own, but leather has a huge environmental footprint, not to mention the ethical issues around animal skin. The Q4 e-tron offers a combination of artificial leather microfiber Dinamica, which looks and feels like suede but is made of 45 percent recycled polyester, sourced from textiles and PET bottles.

We’re expecting the Q4 e-tron to go on sale (in base trim) from $45,000 USD / £50,000 when it is revealed to the public next month. While there’s nothing about this upcoming crossover that appears revolutionary, the combination of the usual Teutonic interior quality with Audi’s contemporary (if predictable) exterior styling should bode well for the MEB-based electric crossover’s sales.

EV Brief 3/7/21 EV Brief 3/7/21

Hyundai's Nexo fuel cell electric vehicle forms Australia's first hydrogen fleet

Hyundai has become the first manufacturer to supply a hydrogen fleet in Australia, to the government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). 20 zero-emission Hyundai NEXO fuel cell electric vehicles have been registered and are set to hit the road in March as part of the ACT government fleet.

Hyundai has become the first manufacturer to supply a hydrogen fleet in Australia, to the government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). 20 zero-emission Hyundai NEXO fuel cell electric vehicles have been registered and are set to hit the road in March as part of the ACT government fleet.

The NEXO fleet represents the first deployment of fully certified, ADR-approved Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) in Australia, as well as the first use of hydrogen vehicles by a Government in Australia.

ACT Government welcomes the new vehicles

ACT Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Shane Rattenbury MLA, said that the NEXO fleet deployment is a positive step towards mitigating climate change. "Tackling climate change means tackling transport pollution, and zero-emission vehicle technology is a key part of this,” Mr Rattenbury said.

Australia’s first publicly available hydrogen station is scheduled to open in Canberra later this month (March 2021) and will provide the capability for 700-bar rapid refueling of the NEXO fleet.

EV Brief understands that hydrogen will be electrolysed on site (or close to), and will be powered by renewable energy from a Neoen wind farm just outside Canberra.

The initial 20 ACT government NEXO vehicles will be followed by a fleet of five of the FCEVs for the Queensland government, which are presently inbound to Australia.

The NEXO was released in 2018, but still looks contemporary. NEXO has a range of 666km (WLTP), with a refueling time of three to five minutes, and emits only water vapour from its exhaust. Hyundai claims the NEXO “purifies the air as it drives”, and that for every hour that the NEXO is on the road, 26.9 kilos of air is purified.

Hyundai’s NEXO emits only water from its tailpipes.

The heavy duty filtration system of the NEXO removes 99.9% of PM2.5 fine particulate matter from polluted air according to Hyundai.

“The deployment of 20 NEXO fuel cell electric vehicles for the ACT government is a significant milestone in Hyundai’s long-term commitment to hydrogen as a key to zero-emissions transport solutions for Australia,” Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer, Jun Heo said. “As part of a line-up that includes the hybrid and plug-in hybrid IONIQ, and the pure electric IONIQ and Kona models, NEXO also underscores Hyundai’s leadership in eco-mobility,” he said.

Our take:

Hydrogen is certainly going to be important in the future, particularly in manufacturing and heavy industry as a replacement for gas where renewables aren’t practical. Hydrogen even makes sense for commercial vehicles, government fleets and busses where it can be electrolysed on site via renewable energy.

The biggest problem comes from the required energy to electrolyse hydrogen; Only 38% of the original electricity used actually makes it to the driven wheels of a vehicle. By comparison, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) achieves around 80-90% efficiency.

Hydrogen has to be compressed, chilled and transported to a refueling station and then when inside the vehicle, needs to be converted to electricity and finally into powering the motor. Not only do BEVs break the whole refining/transportation/refueling regime that lines the pockets of big oil, they allow consumers to power their own vehicles from 100% renewable energy in the form of solar panels on their home.

Hyundai and Toyota are two of a small number of manufacturers pursuing hydrogen development, but the rest of the industry seems to be heading for a pure electric future.

EV Brief 2/16/21 EV Brief 2/16/21

JLR has big plans for 2025 with six EV Land Rovers, all EV Jaguar range

Jaguar Land Rover is racing headlong into an all-electric future, with plans revealed to scrap all combustion engine Jaguar models from the line up by 2025. In addition, the company plans to launch six all-electric Land Rover/Range Rover models by the same year.

Range Rover PHEV — Jaguar land rover commits to all-electric future; fully electrified Jaguar Range by 2025 and progressive roll out of land rover BEVs

Jaguar Land Rover is racing headlong into an all-electric future, with plans revealed to scrap all combustion engine Jaguar models from the line up by 2025. In addition, the company plans to launch six all-electric Land Rover/Range Rover models by the same year.

Jaguar represents the epitome of British tradition, and has often been accused of struggling to evolve with the times. The company suffered from a COVID-19 related sales decline in 2020, delivering 23.9% fewer units than 2019 . This new global strategy, referred to as “Reimagine” by Jaguar is a firm response to the EU block’s stringent CO2 and greenhouse gas reduction targets over the coming decade.

Jaguar’s I-Pace has been a sales success for the company

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Thierry Bolloré, the Tata Group-owned Land Rover and Jaguar brands will rely on two separate electric architectures with two clear, unique personalities. The first all-electric Land Rover will arrive in 2024, with diesel engines likely to be phased out completely by 2026. Jaguar’s Model line up will be completely electrified by 2025. Although it’s not yet known which models will comprise this line up, Jaguar has confirmed the nearly complete electric XJ has been scrapped.

Jaguar’s I-Pace has been a relative success for the company, selling 7,807 units worldwide in Q4 2020. The I-Pace’s unconventional styling likely hints at the future of Jaguar’s line up: heavily skewed towards profitable SUVs, with a sport-oriented aesthetic and smart packaging.

Land Rover will use the forthcoming flex Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA). It will deliver electrified internal combustion engines and full electric variants as the company evolves its product line-up in the future. In addition, Land Rover will also use pure electric biased Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) which will also support advanced hybrid vehicles.

Land Rover’s Defender PHEV will eventually be joined by an all electric variant

Jaguar Land Rover will retain its plant and assembly facilities in the home UK market and around the world. As well as being the manufacturer of the MLA architecture, Solihull, West Midlands will also be the home to the future advanced Jaguar pure electric platform.

Jaguar Land Rover is aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its supply chain, products and operations by 2039. The company is also carrying out research in fuel-cell powertrains, as many global economies look toward hydrogen. Jaguar claims fuel cell powered prototypes will be on UK roads within the next 12 months. Jaguar Land Rover plans to spend circa £2.5bn annually in electrification technologies and the development of connected services and technology.