#Interview #doesnt #beat #bush #basic #Audi #etron
Manufacturers have become accustomed to entrusting journalists with high-end and/or especially well-equipped models. Motorists do not necessarily make this choice. For example, at Benoît Iizuka, where an Audi Q4 40 e-tron in its simplest form is in daily use. What do you think of your electric SUV delivered in May 2022?
Audi Q4 40 e-tron
Forming a 4,588 x 1,865 m rectangle, for a height of 1,632 m, the Audi Q4 40 e-tron is an electric SUV powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor that develops a power of 150 kW (204 hp), for a pair of 310 Nm.
It is powered by a lithium-ion battery with a gross energy capacity of 82 kWh, for a usable 77 kWh. To regenerate it: an on-board charger with 11 kW AC and 135 kW of maximum power on the fast DC terminals since a still recent update.
In 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 appears in a pebble gray colour. Benoît Iizuka preferred the metallic geyser blue that he later invoiced at 800 euros (950 euros on August 18, 2022).
On board, passengers sit on black cloth seats. Above them, the headliner is steel gray. Behind the multifunction double-spoke leather steering wheel (without paddle), the instrumentation has a digital display on a 10.25-inch digital screen.
Equipment
Among the standard equipment of this version, and without wishing to be exhaustive, we find: athermal glass windshield, adjustable front center armrest, automatic climate control, heated and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, sound system with 5 speakers and DAB digital radio reception , LED headlights at the front, rain and light sensors, lane departure warning, speed limiter and parking assistance system at the rear.
However, our reader added some options within a strict budget limit. ” The monthly income of the LLD must not exceed 500 euros. We have benefited from a significant commercial discount. After deduction of the government bonus, the contribution was limited to 2,800 euros “, he explains.
” As an option, we have kept, in addition to the metallic paint, the adaptive cruise control, the front side acoustic glazing and the Comfort pack to benefit from the electrically folding mirrors and lumbar adjustment. “, he lines up.
According to the brochure that we have at our disposal, these elements are offered at 1,140, 140 and 980 euros respectively in the Audi Q4 40 e-tron.
Why the Audi Q4 40 e-tron?
A 48-year-old engineer, our interviewee knows the electromobile industry and market very well. Today, at modernization specialist Phoenix Mobility, he saw the debut of the Zoé and the electric Fluence when he was at Renault. Hence various requirements on the part of him, but not only.
” For me, Tesla is essential. I would have chosen a Model 3 to replace the 2014 Mercedes B-Class. But it’s basically my wife’s company vehicle. And he doesn’t like the American’s lack of buttons, stripped back look and what he thinks is the “super cheap” finish on this car. », justifies Benoît Iizuka.
” Like me, she’s quite the geek, with a finance specialist IT background, and one of the first to buy an iPhone, back in 2008. The big screen inside the Model 3, yes, but expect more on board. “, he explains.
He himself ruled out Mercedes EQAs (“ Unsuccessful, wrong size battery “), JCA (“ Not available when we sign the purchase order in September 2021 “), EQC (“ out of price “), Volvo XC40 (“ Made in China “), Renault Megane E-Tech (“ trunk too small “), etc.
The best decision ?
” Overall, I’m very happy with the Audi Q4 40 e-tron, and couldn’t think of anything better for our purposes. “Benoît Iizuka believes. Who loves well chats too! With this in mind, our reader has put together a pretty impressive list of negatives and malfunctions.
Starting with a regret after a misunderstanding related to the equipment of the model made available by the dealer during the test: ” To have the ventilation in the back, you have to take the three-zone air conditioning, which is very, very expensive. [NDLR : 810 euros, selon le catalogue de mai 2022]. We are in Gironde. Our girls are suffering from the heat. For a premium brand, it’s still limited “.
He puts in the same basket the absence of lighting at the height of the courtesy mirror, and the impossibility of extending the sun visor when it is placed laterally. For this last feature, the savings made by the manufacturer certainly does not exceed 20 euro cents. It is an area I know well. “.
And yet : ” The plastic glove box looks very cheap with a Dacia-style closing noise. It is the same with the non-electric trunk: there was certainly no prototype in this version, otherwise it would not have happened like this! »
Breakdowns
” Our Q4 sleeps in a closed garage. When you open the trunk, 4 out of 5 times you get an error message on the dash indicating a charging problem when the car is not plugged in “, reports Benoît Iizuka.
” When I drive on the highway, like on the departmental highway, I get a very annoying message that asks me to put my hands on the wheel, when they are there and my car does not have the help to keep between the lines. The loud beep that is then emitted wakes up the children in the back. On a Bordeaux-Nîmes trip of 500 km, I have this message at least 10 times. It’s random and I don’t understand why, especially for a car of this price. reflect
” The MyAudi app is very limited. We can only have the state of charge. The connection only works once in 2. It takes 1 minute to turn on the air conditioner remotely. It is related to the computer going to sleep. There could be a cool animation to make it clear that it will launch. Ergonomics are pitiful at this level “, evaluates.
Always in the least
” For information and entertainment, my profile is registered on the Internet. At first it worked. Now half the time it doesn’t work. And I lose all my favorites. In addition, the Plug & Charge system does not work, which should allow you to start charging at Ionity stations without having to identify yourself “, laments Benoît Iizuka.
” I don’t understand why mode B for maximizing regeneration is not the default, and why the setting jumps with every new use of the vehicle. It lacks a One Pedal Drive system that would drive and stop the car with just the throttle. There is no GPS. Therefore, it is necessary for a potential buyer to know that he will not have a battery preconditioning in winter in connection with the selection of a terminal in the navigator. “, he adds.
” The Audi Q4 is a large vehicle that is not easy to park. Visibility is not good. But we don’t have a 360 degree camera. As for the radars, they detect with a great beep the vertical angles, even very low, of the boats. “, he finishes.
in the most
” No matter what the engine speed is, you never hear it. The Audi Q4 40 e-tron is actually very quiet, with little air noise. Thanks to laminated glazing, they only appear from 110 km/h. On the other hand, rolling noises are not completely filtered out. Between Narbonne and Béziers, we hear the knocks caused by the expansion joints in the road “, opposes Benoît Iizuka.
” Engine power is very good, despite the weight of the MEB platform. General comfort is good. We are very good in this car “, thanks. ” From the exterior line, it is a genuine Audi. Next, the Tesla Model 3 design is a bit bland “compare.
” The basic version of the Q4 is almost better than the others on several levels. Already with the gear selector in satin instead of the messy Piano Black. But also for the trunk that has a single double bottom and allows a better accommodation of the luggage. “, he admits.
Autonomy, consumption and recharging
” I see a real range of 540 km in the summer on secondary roads and 360 km at 130 km/h on the motorway. Therefore, a single stop to recharge between Bordeaux and Nîmes. It may be that the scorching heat is conducive to reducing consumption at this speed. Being the density of the air lower at 40°C, the aerodynamic friction is therefore less important than at 20°C. “, develops the engineer.
” In almost 6,600 km, the average consumption is 18.1 kWh/100 km. Half of it was done on the road at 130 km/h, with 4 people and a full trunk, and the air conditioning set at 24 or 25°C with an outside temperature between 35 and 40°C. “, he testifies.
” In Ionity chargers I have never exceeded 125 kW of power. On the other hand, in a new EVBox terminal, 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 “, remember.
” Battery chemistry also likes these temperatures. They allow to obtain the maximum power immediately for a fast charge. Note also that the electrical resistance of copper decreases with heat. Therefore, there are fewer Joule effect losses, that is, energy dissipation due to heating of the electrical conductors compared to a temperature of 20 °C. “, he concludes.
Automobile Propre and I would like to thank Benoît Iizuka for his availability, his particularly illuminating testimonial on the Audi Q4 40 e-tron, and the many photos provided.