Manufacturers are accustomed to entrusting journalists with high-quality and / or specially equipped models. Motorists do not necessarily make this choice. So in Benoît Iizuka where the Audi Q4 40 e-tron is used in its simplest form on a daily basis. What does he think of his electric SUV that was delivered in May 2022?
Audi Q4 40 e-tron
Forming a rectangle with a size of 4.588 x 1.865 meters and a height of 1.632 meters, the Audi Q4 40 e-tron is an electric SUV with a permanent magnet synchronous motor generating 150 kW (204 hp), a torque of 310 Nm.
It is powered by a lithium-ion battery with a total power capacity of 82 kWh, and can use 77 kWh. To revamp it: 11kW of onboard AC charger and 135kW of max power on DC fast terminals since last update.
At the entry level offered from €50,900 today on the manufacturer’s website, the machine is based on 19-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels and is shown in gravel gray. The blue Benoît Iizuka preferred the metal heater and then paid €800 (€950 on August 18, 2022).
On board, passengers are seated on black cloth seats. Above them, the front lining is steel gray. Behind the multifunction leather steering wheel (without paddle), the instrumentation has a digital on-screen 10.25-inch display.
equipment
Among the standard equipment of this version, without wanting to be comprehensive, we find: a thermoplastic windshield, an adjustable central armrest in the front, automatic air conditioning, electrically adjustable and heated outside mirrors, an audio system with 5 speakers and a DAB digital radio receiver Front LED headlights, rain and light sensors, lane departure warning, speed limiter and rear park assist.
Our reader added a few options, however, within strict budget limits. ” Monthly rents for LLD must not exceed €500. We have benefited from a big trade discount. After deducting the government grant, the contribution was limited to €2,800 ‘, he explains.
” As an option, we kept, in addition to the metallic paintwork, adaptive cruise control, a front side acoustic windshield, and a comfort package to take advantage of power-folding mirrors and lumbar adjustment “, Queue.
According to the brochure at our disposal, these items are offered at a price of 1140, 140 and 980 euros, respectively, on the Audi Q4 40 e-tron.
Why the Audi Q4 40 e-tron?
A 48-year-old engineer, the interviewee knows the electric car industry and the market well. Today at Phoenix Mobility that specializes in retrofits, he saw the debut of the electric Zoé and Fluence when he was at Renault. Hence various requirements on his part, but not only.
” For me, Tesla is essential. I would have chosen a Model 3 to replace the 2014 Mercedes B-Class, but it is basically my wife’s company car. And she doesn’t like the lack of buttons on the American car, the abstract look and what she thinks is the “too cheap” finish of this car Benoît Iizuka justifies.
” Just like me, she’s quite a geek, computer savvy for a finance professional, and one of the first to buy an iPhone, back in 2008. The big screen inside the Model 3, yes, but expecting more things on board ‘, he explains.
He himself ruled out Mercedes EQAs (” Did not work, with incorrect size battery “), EQB (” Not available when we signed the purchase order in September 2021 “), EQC (” out price “), Volvo XC40 (” made in China “), Renault Megane E-Tech (” Trunk is too small ‘), etc.
The best option?
” Overall, I’m very happy with the Audi Q4 40 e-tron, and I can’t think of any other car that might be better for our purposes. Who likes to chat as well! With this in mind, our reader has put together an impressive list of negative points and malfunctions.
Starting with regret after a misunderstanding regarding the model equipment the dealer made available during testing: “ To get ventilation in the back, you have to take the 3-zone air conditioner which is very expensive [NDLR : 810 euros, selon le catalogue de mai 2022]. We are in the Gironde. Our girls suffer from heat. As for the premium brand, it is still limited “.
puts in the same basket Lack of lighting at the level of the vanity mirror, and the impossibility of extending the sun visor when placed to the side. As for this last feature, the savings made by the manufacturer certainly do not exceed 20 euro cents. It’s an area I know well. “.
And also : ” The plastic glove box looks very cheap with a Dacia-style closing noise. It’s the same with the stem that is not electric: there was definitely no prototype in this version, otherwise it would not have happened like this! »
malfunctions
” Our Q4 sleeps in a closed garage. When you open the trunk, 4 times out of 5, an error message appears on the dashboard indicating that there is a charging problem when the car is not plugged in Benoit Iizuka reports.
” When I’m driving on the highway, like on Sections Road, I get a very annoying message asking me to put my hands on the steering wheel, when they’re there and my car doesn’t help keep between the lines. The loud sound that comes out then wakes the kids in the back. On my 500-kilometre Bordeaux-Nime trek, I got this message at least 10 times. It’s random and I don’t understand why, especially for a car at this price. He is meditating.
” The MyAudi app is very limited. We can only get the shipping status. The connection works only 1 time out of 2. It takes 1 minute to turn on the air conditioning remotely. It’s tied to the computer that sleeps. There could be great animations to show that it will launch. The work environment is shabby at this level “, Lives.
always at less
” For entertainment, my profile is registered online. At first it worked. Now, half the time it doesn’t work. I lose all my favourites. In addition, the Plug & Charge system that makes it possible to start charging at Ionity stations does not work without your identification. ‘ Benoit Iizuka regrets.
” I don’t understand why mode B for maximizing regeneration isn’t the default, and why the setting jumps with each new use of the vehicle. It lacks a One Pedal Drive system that would drive and stop the car using only the accelerator. There is no GPS. It is therefore essential for the potential buyer to know that they will not have winter battery prerequisites regarding the choice of the browser terminal ‘, he adds.
” The Audi Q4 is a big vehicle that is not easy to park. Visibility is not good, and we don’t have a 360-degree camera. As for the radars, they detect with a great sound the vertical angles, even very low, of boats “, is over.
at most
” No matter the engine speed, you’ll never hear it. The Audi Q4 40 e-tron is really quiet, with very little air noise. Thanks to the laminated glass, they appear only from 110 km / h. On the other hand, rotation noise is not completely filtered out. Between Narbonne and Bézier, we hear the shocks caused by the expansion joints on the way ‘, opposed Benoît Iizuka.
” Engine power is very good despite the weight of the MEB platform. General comfort is good. We’re really good at this car “, appreciate. ” As for the exterior line, it’s a real Audi. Next, the design of the Tesla Model 3 is a bit cute Comparing.
” The base version of Q4 is almost better than the other versions on several levels. Already with the gear selector in satin instead of the messy Piano Black. But also for the box which has only one double bottom and allows better accommodation of luggage ‘, he admitted.
Autonomy, consumption and charging
” I note a real autonomy of 540 km in the summer on secondary roads and 360 km at a speed of 130 km / h on the highway. Hence, one stop to recharge between Bordeaux and Nîmes. The scorching heat may help reduce consumption so quickly. Air density is lower at 40°C, so aerodynamic friction is less important than at 20°C Engineer develops.
” Over a range of approximately 6,600 km, the average consumption is 18.1 kW / 100 km. Half of it was done on the highway at 130 km / h, with 4 people and a full trunk, air conditioning at 24 or 25 ° C with an outside temperature of 35-40 ° C. “, Witness.
” On ionic chargers, I’ve never exceeded 125 kW of power. On the other hand, in a new EVBox station, I observed 135 kW for a long time, under a temperature of 38 ° C. But I had to do it 5 times to start charging He remembers.
” Battery chemistry also loves these temperatures. They make it possible to get maximum powers instantly for fast charging. Note also that the electrical resistance of copper decreases with heat. Thus there are less losses from the Joule effect, i.e. energy dissipation by heating electrical conductors compared to a temperature of 20°C. “, Concludes.
Automobile Propre and I would like to thank Benoît Iizuka for his presence, his particularly enlightening testimonial on the Audi Q4 40 e-tron, and the many photos provided.
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