Audi Q4 e-tron locked in for mid-2024 Australian launch

Audi Australia has used the carsales Melbourne EV Show today to announce the 2024 Audi Q4 e-tron will arrive in dealerships around the middle of next year.

The smallest and most affordable of Audi’s fast-expanding electric car range will provide a new entry point for the brand and give it a natural rival to the myriad sub-$100K electric SUVs that include the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6.

“We’ll be bringing the Audi Q4 to Australia around the middle of next year,” said Audi Australia product planning boss Peter Strudwicke.

He confirmed that the Q4 e-tron models coming to Australia would include both SUV and Sportback body styles and be the updated specification announced overnight in Europe.

Those model tweaks include suspension revisions, more power and improved efficiency that extends the driving range between charges.

Strudwicke confirmed there would be a variety of Q4 models heading to Australia, likely including the single-motor rear-drive Q4 45 e-tron that makes 210kW/545Nm and a dual-motor Q4 55 e-tron quattro producing a combined 250kW.

The Q4 e-tron also gets an updated lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 77kWh.

The Q4 e-tron will also become the first Audi to take advantage of the government’s fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption on EVs priced below the luxury car tax threshold, currently set at $89,332.

That in itself should make it a more appealing prospect for those looking to take out a novated lease to take advantage of the generous tax break.

Audi is not talking pricing on the Q4 e-tron but has previously indicated it would sit towards the upper end of that LCT threshold. Best guesses are that it will sell for something like $80,000, possibly less.

Crucially, Audi is looking at the Q4 e-tron as a volume player within its range to provide an electric alternative to the likes of the Q3 and Q5.

“It’s really important for us,” said Strudwicke. “It’s obviously going to give us a more affordable entry point to electrification for Audi.

“We expect to do reasonable volumes. It’s not regarded as a niche for us.”

The Q4 e-tron is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB dedicated EV architecture that also underpins the Volkswagen ID.4, Skoda Enyaq, Cupra Born and upcoming Volkswagen ID. Buzz.

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