The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron derivative has been produced here since summer 2021. For the Four Rings, production in Zwickau is also a return to its roots, which lie in Saxony: to expand his business, company founder August Horch moved to Zwickau, where he had "A. Horch Motorenwagenwerke AG" entered into the commercial register in 1904. This laid the foundation stone for automobile manufacturing in Saxony. Glass recycling in the Audi Q4e-tron In 2022, Audi and its partner companies launched a pilot project for recycling old car windows. The project aims to recover valuable material from damaged car glass for series production. The car windshield is first shredded in a multi-stage process using an innovative recycling process. The partner companies then sort out all non-glass impurities, such as adhesive residue. The resulting glass granulate is then melted down and processed into new flat glass with the primary material. This is used to make new car windows. Since September 2023, the Four Rings has been using glass with a recycled content of up to 30 percent from car windows that can no longer be repaired for the Audi Q4e-tron windscreen. Audi is thus successfully transferring the "GlassLoop" pilot project to series production. Audi is the first premium manufacturer to establish such a glass loop in the automotive industry together with partner companies. With this project, Audi and its partner companies are taking up the challenge of establishing a closed material loop for automotive glass1. The project is part of Audi's circular economy strategy. Audi has set itself the goal of increasingly using secondary materials, especially from post-consumer sources, to save resources, energy, and CO2 – precisely where it is technically feasible, ecologically sensible, and economically viable. 1Audi saved more than 480,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalents (CO2e) in its supply chain in 2021.
Market launch of electric models Q5 Roadjet e-tron, Q4e-tron, and RS e-tron GT. Construction of a brand-owned quick-charging network and commissioning of the first HPC stations: Audi Charging Stations. 2023 Audi FAW NEV company completed the construction of the factory and the installation of all production facilities. Audi-branded charging network deployed 600 fast charging pillars in over 30 cities across China. FAW Audi has upgraded over 540 4S dealerships and opened eight city showrooms. SAIC Audi operates nearly 160 points of sale covering over 80 prioritized premium automotive cities. Strategic memorandum of understanding with both Chinese joint venture partners FAW and SAIC to further expand existing cooperations.
Schönfelder: With the Q4e-tron, the driving aids are actually available from the factory. Changing from a gasoline engine to an electric model was a big adjustment for me. But I was curious and have never regretted it. You have to plan a little more before undertaking longer journeys. I find the e-tron route planner very useful here, especially for getting to the Audi charging hub or IONITY, where I can charge in comfort. Then I have a relaxing drive, particularly as I start out earlier due to the charging stops, and reach my destination in a calm frame of mind. In this way, I almost always have time to spare. While the car is charging, I can drink a coffee – out of a proper cup to boot. As I drink, I work on my laptop. I’ve now clocked up 50,000 kilometers. With my new Q4e-tron, I can even charge at a rate of up to 175 kW, which makes charging times at fast-charging stations even shorter. Herrmann: Storage space is very important for me. After all, I have to take my wheelchair wherever I go. The accessibility features at the Audi charging hub would definitely make my life easier. When I go to the gas station today, I look for somebody to go with me because of my personal needs. Moreover, with an electric model, I could charge my car at my workplace. I think it’s important for cities and municipalities, as well as for manufacturers and operators, to implement our requirements regarding accessibility. Schönfelder: Agreed. Just like Audi is. Charging at the Audi charging hub is not only fast but comfortable. I’ve been to the charging hub in Nuremberg, which has a 200-square-meter lounge, three times now. For me, the ability to charge my car there quickly and easily without barriers is a major argument in favor of e-mobility. When I’m on longer trips, I want to make use of HPC options. Furthermore, Audi's charging service offers a convenient way of charging your car quickly and inexpensively at various providers during a journey. Just hold out your card, and bingo!
With the e-tron, Audi embarked on the path to electric mobility in 2018 and has written a success story with around 150,000 vehicles delivered to customers worldwide. The family of electrically powered models has grown in recent years and months: Audi e-tron GT quattro, RS e-tron GT, Audi Q4e-tron, and Audi Q8 e-tron have significantly expanded the product portfolio. The Audi Q6 e-tron will be added in 2024 as the first electric model produced in Ingolstadt and the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) on the Premium Platform Electric. The new Audi Q6 e-tron will be launched in Germany and numerous other European countries from the third quarter of 2024. The Audi Q6 e-tron quattro and the SQ6 e-tron will be available to order from the end of March 2024 and start at EUR 74,700 and EUR 93,800, respectively. The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany.
Founded: 1988 Plant manager: Gao Qizheng, Juergen Russer Models: Audi A4 L, Audi A6 L, Audi Q5 L, Audi Q5 L Sportback, Audi e-tron Production (2023): 472,435 vehicles Audi production in Foshan FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company Ltd. Founded: 2013 Plant manager: Wang Wei, Stefan Depka Models: Audi Q2 L, Audi Q2 L e-tron, Audi Q4e-tron Production (2023): 40,624 vehicles Audi production in Tianjin FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company Ltd. Founded: 2018 Plant manager: Dr. André Richter Models: Audi Q3, Audi Q3 Sportback Production (2023): 63,713 vehicles Audi production in Qingdao Location: FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company Ltd. Founded: 2018 Plant manager: Liu Dong, Bruno Torres Models: Audi A3 Sportback, Audi A3 L Sedan Production (2023): 63,897 vehicles Audi production in Anting (Shanghai) SAIC Volkswagen Automotive Company Ltd. Founded: 2021 (start of production of Audi A7L: September 2021) Plant manager: Cheng Liang (Anting plant), Xu Zhiqin, Oliver Wollinsky (MEB plant) Models: Audi A7 L, Audi Q5 e-tron Production (2023): 19,281 (Anting plant), 5,506 (MEB plant) vehicles Audi production in Ningbo SAIC Volkswagen Automotive Company Ltd. Since: 2022 Plant manager: Chen Jianfeng, Frank Schemmel Models: Audi Q6 Roadjet Production (2023): 5,151 vehicles Audi electric vehicles production in Changchun Audi FAW NEV Company Ltd. Founded: 2021; construction started in 2022 Plant manager: Helmut Stettner Models: all-electric Audi models starting from Audi A6 e-tron and Audi Q6 e-tron series Planned annual production capacity: more than 150.000 vehicles
More sustainability in the supply chain
The Audi Q4e-tron shows in concrete terms what sustainability looks like throughout the life of an Audi vehicle. Producing powerful batteries takes a great deal of energy. This is why, in the production of electric vehicles, nearly half of carbon emissions can be chalked up to the supply chain. To offset this, Audi launched its “CO2 program in the supply chain” back in 2018. Together with suppliers, the program identified measures for reducing carbon emissions. For example, certified green electricity is used for the production of the Audi Q4e-tron’s cells – and suppliers commit to this by contract. Another example of how Audi is bringing more sustainability to the supply chain is secondary materials. Audi returns the aluminum scraps from the press plant to the supplier for processing and then gets them back in the form of newly processed aluminum coils. This means less primary aluminum is necessary, and less carbon is emitted. The Aluminum Closed Loop has avoided more than 780,000 tons of net carbon emissions3 since its introduction in 2017. In the meantime, the plants in Neckarsulm, Ingolstadt, and, since 2021, Győr in Hungary, as well as the Volkswagen site in Bratislava, are implementing the "Aluminum Closed Loop".
Green power in the utilization stage
The greatest potential for fully leveraging the advantages of electric drive systems lies in the utilization stage. In addition to the fact that electric cars don’t emit carbon on the road, the electricity used for charging is a decisive factor here. In their garage at home, customers can charge the Q4e-tron with green power, for example, using Volkswagen Naturstrom, a sustainable electricity solution provided by “Elli”, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. Customers on the road in Europe can charge using renewable electricity from networks such as IONITY’s.
Program for Germany, Status: 03/18/24 1/2 Audi Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW Drivetrain / transmission / battery Drive type Rear-wheel drive Number of electric motors front axle / rear axle 0 / 1 Peak electrical output in kW 210 Continuous electrical output in kW 87 Electrical torque output front / rear in Nm (lb-ft) - / 545 (402.0) Battery type / number of cells Lithium-Ion / 192 Gross / net battery capacity in kWh 82 / 77 Max. charging capacity AC / DC in kW 11 / 135 Charging time AC 0-100%, 3ph 16A@230V in min 480 On-board voltage 1 in volts 12 Voltage level of the HV battery in volts 400 Suspension / steering / brakes Type and design of front-axle suspension McPherson struts, front Type and design of rear-axle suspension 4-link rear axle Tires (basic) 235 / 55 R 19 | 255 / 50 R 19 Wheels (basic) Steel 8 J x 19 Steering Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance Steering ratio 15.6 Turning circle in m (ft) 10.2 (33.5) Brake system Dual-circuit brake system with diagonal split, ESC/ABS/EBD, brake booster, hydraulic brake assist; front: floating caliper Performance / range Top speed in km/h (mph) 180 (111.8) (governed) electrical acceleration, 0-100 km/h (62.1 mph) in s 6.7 Electrical range, combined in km (mi) 455 - 544 (282.7 - 338.0) Consumption / emission* Electric power consumption, combined in kWh/100 km (62.1 mi) 19.2 - 16.2 CO2 emissions, combined in g/km (g/mi) 0 CO2 class A Servicing / guarantee (Germany) Service interval 2 years Vehicle / paint / rust perforation guarantee 2 / 3 / 12 years Insurance classification in Germany: third party / fully comprehensive / part-comprehensive 17 / 23 / 21 Program for Germany, Status: 03/18/24 2/2 Weights / loads Unladen weight without driver / with driver / gross weight limit in kg (lb) 2070 / 2145 / 2660 (4563.6 / 4728.9 / 5864.3) Front / rear axle load limit in kg (lb) 1200 / 1530 (2645.5 / 3373.1) Trailer load limit on 8% / 12% gradient, braked // unbraked in kg (lb) 1200 / 1000 // 750 (2645.5 / 2204.6
Program for Germany, Status: 03/18/24 1/2 Audi Q4 45 e-tron quattro 210 kW Drivetrain / transmission / battery Drive type All-wheel drive Number of electric motors front axle / rear axle 1 / 1 Peak electrical output in kW 210 Electrical torque output front / rear in Nm (lb-ft) 134 / 545 (98.8 / 402.0) Battery type / number of cells Lithium-Ion / 288 Gross / net battery capacity in kWh 82 / 77 Max. charging capacity AC / DC in kW 11 / 175 Charging time AC 0-100%, 3ph 16A@230V in min 480 On-board voltage 1 in volts 12 Voltage level of the HV battery in volts 400 Suspension / steering / brakes Type and design of front-axle suspension McPherson struts, front Type and design of rear-axle suspension 4-link rear axle Tires (basic) 235 / 55 R 19 | 255 / 50 R 19 Wheels (basic) Steel 8 J x 19 Steering Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance Steering ratio 15.6 Turning circle in m (ft) 11.5 (37.7) Brake system Dual-circuit brake system with diagonal split, ESC/ABS/EBD, brake booster, hydraulic brake assist; front: floating caliper Performance / range Top speed in km/h (mph) 180 (111.8) (governed) electrical acceleration, 0-100 km/h (62.1 mph) in s 6.6 Electrical range, combined in km (mi) 449 - 524 (279.0 - 325.6) Consumption / emission* Electric power consumption, combined in kWh/100 km (62.1 mi) 19.5 - 16.7 CO2 emissions, combined in g/km (g/mi) 0 CO2 class A Servicing / guarantee (Germany) Service interval 2 years Vehicle / paint / rust perforation guarantee 2 / 3 / 12 years Insurance classification in Germany: third party / fully comprehensive / part-comprehensive 17 / 23 / 21 Program for Germany, Status: 03/18/24 2/2 Weights / loads Unladen weight without driver / with driver / gross weight limit in kg (lb) 2160 / 2235 / 2750 (4762.0 / 4927.3 / 6062.7) Front / rear axle load limit in kg (lb) 1285 / 1535 (2832.9 / 3384.1) Trailer load limit on 8% / 12% gradient, braked // unbraked in kg (lb) 1400 / 1200 // 750 (3086.5 / 2645.5 // 1653.5) Roof load limit