One of the less-noticed aspects of the electric car revolution is how much it will compress the traditional differences between luxury “premium” products and “mainstream” market products. A silent revolution, you might say. In the past, for example, “refinement” was a dividing line. In the days when they used to say the only noise you could detect inside a Rolls-Royce proceeding at speed was the clock, but you couldn’t have a conversation with your passenger in a Mini even when it was stationary, the distinction was loud and clear.
THE SPEC
Audi Q4 Sportback 50 e-tron Quattro
Price: £64,820 (as tested; range starts at £44,040)
Engine capacity: Trear Two electric motors, 4AWD, 82kWh battery
Power (hp): 295
Top speed: 112mph
0-60mph: 6.2secs
Fuel economy: 118mpg equiv
Range: 240 miles
CO2 emissions: 0
