GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: 2020 Audi Q4 e-tron debuts

The Audi Q4 e-tron concept has been unveiled at the Geneva motor show ahead of its global launch late next year.

Measuring in at 4.59-metres long, 1.90-metres wide and 1.61-metres tall, the small Audi Q4 e-tron concept previews the German car-maker's first pure-electric car to be based on the Volkswagen Group's new MEB platform.

Featuring two electric motors that provide the Audi Q4 e-tron with all-wheel drive, the compact SUV is said to produce a total of 225kW - enough for a rapid 6.3 second dash to 100km/h from standstill, although top speed is limited to just 180km/h.

Feeding electricity to the Audi Q4 e-tron's twin motors is an 82kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is sandwiched between both axles to provide a 450km range under the strict WLTP test cycle.

The battery is capable of accommodating a maximum 125kW of power and is said to take just 30 minutes for an 80 per cent charge when hooked up to a fast charger.

With styling dominated by Audi's trademark single-frame design,  the zero-emission small SUV gets two large air intakes that stretch from below the two LED headlamps down towards the front splitter.

Sporting huge 22-inch rims (not likely to make it to the production model), the rakish rear styling is claimed to give the small SUV a far more dynamic look, compared to the current Q3.

At the back of the small Q4 e-tron, the battery-powered SUV borrows styling cues from the bigger e-tron with a pair of similar sweeping rear LED lamps.

Helping it win new fans among family buyers, Audi claims the MEB platform has enabled its engineers to stretch the Q4 e-tron's wheelbases to around 2.77-metres to offer cabin space from a class higher.

Factor in a lack of transmission tunnel and generous front and rear legroom and, Audi claims, the Q4 e-tron offers unexpected  space.

Four seats with integrated headrests team with a floor made of recycled materials, plenty of high-quality materials, plus lots of chrome and painted surfaces inside.

The production Q4 e-tron is expected to come with a far more mainstream interior, although the concept's large 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is expected to carry over.

Even though most Q4 e-trons will be bought because of their green credentials, Audi says its latest pure-electric SUV will provide for an invigorating drive.

Placing its 510kg battery back low in the chassis, engineers say the Q4 e-tron has a centre-of-gravity so low it's similar to a sedan.

Boosting agility further, weight has been carefully distributed to ensure the small Audi SUV has an optimum 50:50 weight balance front to rear.

Finally, Audi hasn't skimped when it comes to suspension, the Q4 e-tron coming with a sophisticated multi-link rear axle with new adaptive dampers.

Said to be the fifth pure-electric Audi to join its line-up towards the end of 2020, the Q4 e-tron follows its larger e-tron that will be launched in March 2019, the e-tron Sportback that arrives later next year, the China-only Q2L e-tron and the sporty Audi e-tron GT four-door coupe that goes on sale in the second half of 2020.