Update (September 6, 2024): ‘Interior’ added and ‘Audi A4 Electric Specifications’ and ‘Audi A4 sales in the U.S.’ updated.
Audi plans to build a comprehensive EV line-up in the coming years and cater to a range of premium segments, from an Audi E3 (Audi A3 e-tron) to the Q8 e-tron. A key launch will be a compact electric sedan, the Audi A4 Electric (Audi E4 or Audi A4 e-tron).
Audi plans electric car launches in all core segments by 2027
By 2025, Audi will have launched around 25 new models, more than 10 of which will be pure-electric vehicles, former CEO Markus Duesmann announced at the company’s annual media conference on March 16, 2023. By 2027, the four-ringed brand’s product line-up will include an EV in each core segment, Duesmann added.
The A4 belongs to a core segment, and the compact-to-midsize luxury car is one of the company’s best-selling models globally, with 237,000 units delivered in 2023.
Previously, Oliver Hoffmann, BoM member responsible for Technical Development, Audi, told Auto Express that the A4’s electric alternative would be based on a dedicated electric vehicle platform. He added that Audi had also considered a multi-energy (ICE-BEV) architecture, but it comes with compromise.
PPE Platform
Meanwhile, Autocar reported in December 2021 that the next-gen Audi A4 would include a pure-electric version. Audi would use the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) for mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants and the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), co-developed with Porsche, for the Audi A4 e-tron.
The PPE debuted on the Porsche Macan EV and now underpins the Audi Q6 e-tron, the Audi A6 e-tron, and the Audi A6 e-tron Avant. Audi and Porsche plan to sell 7 million electric cars globally based on the PPE platform by 2030.
Autocar suggests that the Audi A6 e-tron’s PPE platform would underpin the Audi A4 Electric, although with a shorter wheelbase and narrower tracks. PPE-based EVs can accommodate a battery with up to 100 kWh capacity and deliver a WLTP range of up to 435 miles. Thanks to an 800-volt system voltage, they can accept DC fast-charging at up to 270 kW.
Design
Initially, we expected the Audi A4 Electric to have an A5 Sportback-style five-door configuration with a liftgate-style rear. However, in a report published on July 26, 2022, Autocar said that the A4 e-tron would have styling similar to the gasoline-powered A4.
Based on the British publication’s speculation, our exclusive rendering (pictured above) shows the A4’s future version as a conventional four-door model powered by batteries. It borrows design inspiration from the A6 e-tron, as evident with the large enclosed Singleframe grille’s shape and pattern. The split headlights consist of slim and flat position lights and discreetly placed low and high beams on the bottom, right above the side air inlets. They are similar to the headlights on the prototypes of the A6 e-tron.
In addition, the Audi A4 Electric’s key features may include adaptive air suspension, Level 2 autonomous driving, and contactless in-car payments for charging, parking, drive-through food orders, and tolls.
Audi A4 Electric Avant/allroad quattro (Electric)
While station wagons are losing the battle to SUVs, Audi remains committed to the traditional body style. Hoffmann told Top Gear that “Audi stands for Avant and Avant for Audi,” indicating that station wagons have a place at Audi in the EV era. The company sells three station wagons in the U.S., namely A4 allroad quattro, A6 allroad quattro, and RS 6 Avant, and several more in other markets. It will likely launch an A4 Avant Electric (A4 Avant e-tron) soon after the sedan version so as to future-proof the lineup.
Interior
The Audi A4 e-tron should feature a newly designed interior with more digitalization, improved ergonomics, and a variety of new comfort and convenience features. The dashboard and front door panels should have a seamless connection, enveloping the driver and front passenger. A free-standing wide glass panel may house an 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit and a 14.5-inch MMI touch display.
An AR-HUD will likely be available to allow drivers to stay more focused on the road. The optional features may include even a 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display that allows the front passenger to stream movies and other videos and help the driver with route planning and finding charging stations.
The Audi A4 e-tron’s infotainment system will feature the Android Automotive OS operating system. Thus, your favorite smartphone apps like Google Maps, Google Assistant, YouTube, Spotify, and Yelp will either be installed right from the factory or be available to download through an app store. That said, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android support will be available if you prefer using them traditionally through your smartphone.
Specifications
A lithium-ion NMC battery pack with an energy storage capacity of approximately 100 kWh will likely power the motor(s) of the A4 Electric. We expect the A4 e-tron to come with around 400 miles (644 km), given that its comparatively shorter wheelbase would accommodate a slightly smaller battery. A 5-80% DC fast-charging session in PPE platform-based EVs will take approximately 21 minutes.
Audi will likely offer the A4 Electric in a 45 e-tron single-motor RWD and a 55 e-tron dual-motor quattro (AWD) variant. The latter may have a 0-62 mph acceleration time as low as under six seconds, as per a report Autocar released on October 20, 2023.
A 510-horsepower dual-motor S4 e-tron quattro with a sub-4-second 0-62 mph acceleration time may arrive sometime later and could eventually be outpaced by a full-blown RS4 e-tron quattro with even more power and a sub-3.5-second 0-62 mph acceleration time.
Production
Audi makes the gasoline-powered A4 at its German factories in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. The company has already confirmed it will build the pure-electric A4 e-tron at the Ingolstadt plant, and in the future, it may announce the electric sedan’s manufacturing at Neckarsulm as well.
As the main base for production of the electric successors to the Audi A3 and the Audi A4, according to (Gerd) Walker, Ingolstadt will become the blueprint for the transformation.
Audi press announcement on July 26, 2022. Gerd Walker is the Audi Board Member for Production and Logistics.
In an announcement on December 20, 2022, Audi hinted it can build EVs, presumably including the A4 e-tron, on the same line at the Ingolstadt plant as the combustion-powered A4 (and A5). The company was elaborating on one of Walker’s comments on transitioning to EVs, when it said:
The new Audi Q6 e-tron, for example, will initially be made in Ingolstadt on the same line as the Audi A4 and A5. The electric models will then gradually replace the combustion cars on the lines.
Audi press release (December 20, 2022)
Release date
The Autocar report from October 2023 states that the Audi A4 Electric will go on sale (presumably in Europe) towards the end of 2025. We expect the electric mid-size sedan to begin reaching U.S. dealerships in 2026.
Combustion-powered Audi A4 becomes the A5
On March 16, 2023, announcing Audi’s future plans, Duesmann said EVs will have odd-numbered titles and ICEs will have even-numbered titles. As a result, the gas-powered successor to the fifth-gen A4 has become the all-new A5.
We are currently restructuring our naming conventions. So, even numbers represent a BEV, uneven numbers represent an internal combustion engine or a PHEV. The start of the renaming has already kicked off. We changed the name of the e-tron to the Q8 e-tron.
Markus Duesmann, former CEO, Audi (2023 Audi Annual Media Conference on March 16, 2023)
TopElectricSUV says
If Audi gets the A4 e-tron right and decides to localize it here, it could become one of its best-selling EVs in the U.S. For it to stand out from the gas-powered model, the Audi A4 Electric will have to be a luxury compact sedan with more sophistication, space, and higher comfort than the A4, making it an interesting alternative to A5 buyers. It might not offer Tesla Model 3 levels of range or performance, but it could beat the best-seller on luxury features, quality, and refinement.
Audi A4 e-tron/Audi A4 Electric FAQs
What is the release date of the Audi A4 e-tron?
The A4 Electric will reportedly debut in 2025. It’s expected in the U.S. in 2026.
Which are the core competitors to the Audi A4 e-tron?
What is the expected price of the Audi A4 e-tron?
Expect the Audi A4 e-tron to start at around USD 50,000.
Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s render of the Audi A4 Electric (A4 e-tron).
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
