Audi was a little late to the EV party, but it has now made up some ground with the launch of the Q4 e-tron. 

We did see the original e-tron and Q8 e-tron grace our shores, but those models did not particularly sell well. That is why, with the Q4, Audi is going in guns blazing. The third time’s the charm, right?

The Q4 e-tron shares its underpinnings with the VW ID.4 (and Skoda Enyaq), built on the same MEB electric platform that Volkswagen Group has spread across its brands like butter on toast.

It’s essentially the posh cousin to the ID.4 and Enyaq, but there are major differences between the three, and Audi has crafted the Q4 in a way that distinguishes it from the pack.

What’s It Like to Drive?

Singapore only receives one powertrain option – the 45 variant. 282bhp and 545Nm of torque are fed to a rear-driven motor, promising a century sprint time of 6.7 seconds. 

Audi’s always had a bit of an identity crisis when it comes to performance. Sometimes they’re razor-sharp racers, sometimes they’re silky-smooth cruisers.

Luckily, with the Q4 e-tron, they’ve found a sweet spot. Electric powertrains have a way of smoothing things out while still offering that punch of instant torque. So, you can expect a smooth, refined ride here; well-damped, for the most part, though occasionally it does get a little jittery over small ridges or bumps.

It’s not all about comfort either. The Q4 e-tron has a bit of a hustle in its DNA. With the battery’s weight keeping things grounded low, it stays impressively flat and sticks to the road, especially when you’re carving through corners.

The steering is nicely weighted. If you’re in one of the sportier driving modes, it’s sharp and accurate, and as you dial it back towards Comfort, the steering lightens up.

What About the Regen Braking?

This is one of the star traits of the Q4 e-tron. Unlike the ID.4, Audi has made the regen controllable through paddles behind the steering wheel.

It becomes second nature quickly; you’ll be modulating your speed with a few flicks rather than tapping the brake all the time. Why the VW doesn’t have this, we don’t know, but it’s a gem on the Q4.

How Quiet Is It?

Silence is golden, they say, and in the Q4 e-tron, you’ll get plenty of it. On the move, the cabin feels cocooned. So hushed that even the wipers barely make a sound when it rains. Audi’s done an impressive job of muting outside noise, but when everything else is so quiet, the odd squeak or creak from the cabin becomes all the more noticeable.

I’m Concerned About Charging

Fear not. The Q4 e-tron supports quick charging up to 125kW, which isn’t the fastest out there, but it’ll juice the car from 5% to 80% in about half an hour. Grab a coffee, stretch your legs, and you’ll be back on the road.

The 82kWh battery is a tank too; a week’s worth of travel can easily be done in the Q4 e-tron. Credit’s where it’s due, the VAG group sure know how to make an efficient battery. During my test, I managed to average 16.4kWh/100km, which is impressive considering there was no effort rendered by me in trying to keep things economical.

It Looks Rather Nice

From the outside, the Q4 looks handsome enough. Audi’s done a decent job with the proportions. But if you squint, you might struggle to immediately spot it as an Audi.

That’s the challenge when platform sharing becomes the norm; unique design can sometimes take a back seat. Still, it’s the interior where the Q4 shines. Step inside, and you’ll find a well-crafted, angular space that feels every bit the premium Audi experience.

Even if you opt for the “base-spec” Advanced variant like this, you’re not missing out on much.

Tell Me More

Can’t get away from screens these days, and Audi’s got you covered here with a 10.1-inch touchscreen front and centre, plus a 10.25-inch virtual instrument panel behind the steering wheel.

The OS is slightly more dated than what you might find in other German rivals, but it’s still reliable for day-to-day tasks.

Polished finishes are everywhere. It’s all very nice, but they will have you reaching for a microfibre cloth to wipe off fingerprints. Keep one handy in the door bin.

Physical buttons, while few, have that satisfying click Audi lovers will appreciate, and everything from the pedals to the steering wheel feels solid and well-tuned.

It Looks Quite Minimalist, Doesn’t It?

Indeed, the Q4 e-tron’s interior is pared down, clean, and sleek. The gear selector is a small nugget you nudge, and the infotainment gets an iPod-style controller.

There’s decent storage scattered throughout, though you’ll mostly be working with a glovebox and a generous central bin under the armrest. Honorary mention goes to the phone holders, they feel like gun holsters. 

The Q4 e-tron is quite large, and that space translates into comfortable room for five in the cabin. Rear passengers receive high headroom and decent legroom, alongside rear air-conditioning vents and charging ports.

As for the 535-litre boot (ironically, the SUV is smaller at 520 litres), the floor is set relatively high, but there’s a hidden compartment underneath for stashing odds and ends.

Despite a small amount of space being taken out due to the tapered roofline, it’s still quite spacious compared to its electric rivals like the Volvo XC40 Recharge or the Mercedes EQA.

Great Step Forwards

The Audi Q4 e-tron is a solid, practical family SUV that just happens to run on electricity. It doesn’t try to shove futuristic tech or outlandish designs down your throat. Instead, it feels more like a smooth, understated transition into the world of EVs.

If you’ve been waiting for others to test the waters with EVs and are now thinking of making the switch yourself, this is a great place to start.

Technical Specifications

Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron 

Engine: Single Electric Motor
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 210 kW (282 bhp)
Torque: 545 Nm
Gearbox: Two-stage planetary gearbox with single gear (A)
0-100km/h: 6.7 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 180 km/h
Battery Capacity: 82 kWh
Drive Range: 482 km (claimed)
Energy Consumption: 5.46 km/kWh (claimed)

Price: S$270,999 (Advanced), S$290,999 (Edition 1), both with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Audi Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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The name Smart traditionally conjures images of the ForTwo, that diminutive city car which burst onto the scene as a future vision of urban commuting. A collaboration initially sparked by Swatch and later dominated by Mercedes, it epitomised innovative compact design.

Yet despite its early promise, the little ForTwo never quite captured the market as hoped. Along came the ForFour, a four-seater concoction brewed with Mitsubishi, which along with other quirky attempts like the Crossblade and the sporty Roadster, aimed to expand Smart’s appeal. However, despite Mercedes’ efforts and multiple revamps including a shift to all-electric drivetrains, the brand continued to struggle financially.

All of that changed in June 2020, when Smart Europe GmbH was revitalised through a 50:50 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and China’s Geely. This marked a strategic pivot away from niche urban vehicles towards the more commercially viable mainstream crossover market. Thus bringing us to the Smart #1.

But, being positioned as a crossover, it steps into an ever-crowded arena, so how does it stand up against the big dogs?

It Sure Looks Funky

Indeed. Looks-wise, it seems Smart has taken a leaf out of BMW’s MINI playbook, aiming to capture a bit of that retro-funkiness that has spelt success for MINI.

Mercedes, not wanting to be left behind, decided that if you can’t beat them, why not join them… or at least borrow some ideas?

The Smart #1 Pro+ has a whimsical and playful facade, with swooping full-width light clusters fore and aft giving it some uniqueness over distant siblings like the Mercedes-Benz EQA. It looks great, and the eccentric two-tone styling cleverly hides the tall minicab-esque roofline. Vaguely reminiscent of a Kia Soul but dressed in a different outfit.

It’s fun enough to appeal to the young at heart, and not garish enough to conjure cringe looks from others as you drive by. Sensible yet characterful design, this.

A similar design language envelopes the cabin too; there are hints of funkiness, but traditional German sensibleness has ultimately reined control.

The central infotainment screen stands tall at 12.8 inches, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8155 chipset. In English, this means fast and responsive inputs when you’re cycling between menus.

This screen controls nearly everything, which can be both dazzling and daunting to modestly tech-savvy folks. Smart has packed the #1 with features but tucked many of them into submenus, making some tasks like adjusting your mirrors a bit of a chore (similar to what you find in Teslas).

And then there’s the AI fox, a digital companion that lives in your infotainment system. It’s meant to assist with navigation and other tasks, but sometimes it feels more like a novelty, playing with a beach ball on your screen. Brownie points though, it does look rather cute, especially in the climate sub-menu.

The digital instrument cluster is more modest, being a 9.2-inch slit on your dash, but it gets the job done, displaying all essential driving data at a glance.

Where the #1 shines is its blend of premium cabin materials; soft-touch materials placed in strategic locations give crucial touch points more TLC. There are also various nooks to stow away your daily necessities.

Thanks to the tall roofline, headroom is capacious all around. The rear seats are surprisingly roomy, offering good legroom, and the adjustable back bench can slide to balance between passenger comfort and cargo space.

Speaking of cargo, the boot offers 411 litres of space, though it’s a bit awkwardly shaped, and you’ll find a tiny frunk that’s perhaps best left for your charging cables.

This Puppy Can Bite

Sure, there is a souped-up Brabus variant of the #1, but we’re focusing on the regular Pro+ version here. And to be honest, after getting around in this, most wouldn’t need the extra oomph from the red-roofed sibling.

268bhp and 343Nm are more than adequate for commuting with gusto, and power is distributed in a lazier ‘wave’ sensation, unlike other brands that give you whiplash as soon as you gun the throttle. This gives the Pro+ #1 a confident and robust demeanour when pushed, whilst staying well-behaved when you dial it back and want to take it slow.

Despite a kerb weight tipping at 1,900kg, the #1’s suspension is dialled in to offer softness without sacrificing control, managing to mask its weight effectively and commit to your directional demands without drama.

The layout of its chassis and the placement of the wheels play into this, optimising the car’s physical footprint for better stability. The engineers have seemingly endowed it with a traction control system that’s keen but not overbearing too, allowing a hint of tail wag before reigning things in. Just enough to remind you of its eagerness.

However, at lower speeds, regenerative braking is a touch too eager, making smooth stops a bit of a learning curve. And while it has its array of driving modes, it does little to change handling, mostly just controlling how much power is available to your right foot.

Comfort is not forsaken, thankfully. The cabin shields its occupants from the hustle and noise of the outside world, allowing the #1 to serve as a serene bubble of calm. It’s a multifaceted companion ready to tackle both the chaos of city traffic and the joy of an open road sprint. 

Like most modern cars, the #1 has an array of driver-assist features that keep you in check, although sometimes too zealously. The IR alert system can nag you for merely glancing at the infotainment screen. Ironic, given that’s where many of the controls are housed.

Straightforward Charm

Despite the Smart #1 Pro+ being slightly whimsical, the subdued design language does not set it apart dramatically from its peers. Underneath, the Geely framework provides a surprisingly solid base and satisfactory road manners. 

Yet, despite these credentials, the Smart #1 may not shout ‘distinctive’ as loudly as one might hope in a crowded market; it might have stepped away too far from the daring innovation that once defined Smart vehicles.

Overall, the #1 offers a clean drive, commendable visibility, and appears to be well-built. It might just find its niche among pragmatic buyers looking for a straightforward, reliable vehicle that brings the essence of Smart into a new era of automotive design.

Technical Specifications

Smart #1 electric Pro+

Powertrain: Single Electric Motor, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 200kw (268bhp)
Torque: 343Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 6.7 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: Unknown
Battery Capacity: 66 kWh
Drive Range: 420 km
Energy Consumption: 5.7 km/kWh (claimed)

Price: S$242,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: smart Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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BMW Group Asia embarked on its electrification journey in 2014, introducing the BMW i3 and i8 models. Fast forward nine years and five generations of BMW eDrive technology, and the company is expanding its lineup of fully electric vehicles (EVs) with the new BMW i4 eDrive35.

According to Mr. Lars Nielsen, Managing Director of BMW Group Asia, the BMW i4 brings electrification to the heart of the BMW brand, offering practicality, performance, and poise in a sustainable package. As Singapore’s charging infrastructure develops and more EV options become available, electromobility is gaining traction in the country.

The new BMW i4 eDrive35 joins the existing BMW i4 family, which includes the highly successful BMW i4 M50 and BMW i4 eDrive40. Packed with the latest technology, including an efficient electric powertrain and the BMW Curved Display with Operating System 8, the BMW i4 eDrive35 is sure to impress as it hits the roads here.

Produced at the BMW Group Munich plant, the new BMW i4 eDrive35 contributes to the company’s commitment to electric mobility. By 2023, 50% of the total production volume at the plant will be dedicated to fully electric cars. The BMW Group’s portfolio of fully electric cars now spans six model lines with 10 powertrain derivatives. The company aims for fully electric vehicles to account for 50% of its global sales by 2030.

But this is just the beginning. BMW has more in store with the upcoming BMW i5 sedan, promising enhanced dynamics, comfort, and a fresh interpretation of the brand’s signature design. Equipped with BMW Operating System 8.5, the BMW i5 will offer a suite of innovative digital services.

In terms of sales, BMW Group Asia has been a leader in the premium segment, selling 204 fully electric vehicles in the first four months of 2023, accounting for over 20% of total BMW and MINI EV sales in Singapore. These figures demonstrate the preference of EV buyers for BMW and MINI vehicles in the country.

As for charging infrastructure, Singapore currently has over 3,600 EV charging points, with plans to increase this number to 12,000 by 2025 and 60,000 by 2030. BMW Group Asia has been collaborating with Greenlots, a member of the Shell Group, since 2014 to provide home and public charging options.

Under the Shell Recharge banner, BMW i and MINI Electric customers can enjoy a comprehensive home or public charging package. The package includes a wall-mounted AC charger for home charging and a subscription package of 10,000 kWh over three years at Shell Recharge stations for public charging.

BMW’s regional footprint extends to 80% of the ASEAN region, offering electrified vehicles in markets such as Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

To experience the new BMW i4 eDrive35, interested customers can visit any authorised BMW dealer in Singapore.

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