When is the Audi Q4 e-tron coming to Australia, and will it be more affordable than the Volvo XC40 recharge, BMW iX1 and Mercedes EQA electric cars?

Timing for one of the most delayed models of the past few years is finally about to be confirmed, and it is expected to have BMW and Volvo shaking.

The Audi Q4 e-tron was revealed more than two years ago and has been on sale in its European home market for some time, but unprecedented demand on the old continent has meant markets with fewer EV incentives - like Australia - were not the priority.

However, it now looks like Audi Australia will confirm timing - and possibly pricing - imminently.

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Speaking with CarsGuide at the Q5 55 TFSIe plug-in hybrid launch recently, Audi Australia Director Jeff Mannering said the long wait for the styling all-electric SUV will soon end.

"I'm not going to say a date. But I'll tell you, it's going to be sooner rather than later," he said.

It is believed that the Q4 e-tron could land at a similar time to other long-awaited Volkswagen Group EVs like the VW ID.4 and ID.5, which are expected in the first half of 2024.

Mannering said dealers are keen to get the Q4 e-tron into dealerships soon as there has been significant interest from punters.

The Audi Q4 e-tron was revealed more than two years ago and has been on sale in its European home market for some time.

He added that pricing would be key, and highlighted that the biggest volume in the electric SUV market is somewhere between the $45,000 starting price of some of the entry EVs from MG, BYD and more, up to the $89,000 luxury car tax threshold.

"So depending on our positioning in the market when the car gets here, it's really important that it's positioned properly because if you're not in the right position, then it's going to impact your volume. But if we can get the car at the right price... I would have loved it two years ago. I know I wasn't here two years ago, but it would have been pretty successful."

Given those comments, and considering its chief rivals - the BMW iX1, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Lexus UX300e and Volvo XC40 Recharge - all start from between $75,000 to $89,000, expect the Q4 e-tron to start from less than $89,000.

Audi Australia is yet to confirm what grades of the Q4 e-tron will be offered Down Under, but expect that announcement soon.

It is believed that the Q4 e-tron could land at a similar time to other long-awaited Volkswagen Group EVs like the VW ID.4 and ID.5.

In Europe, the Q4 e-tron is offered in entry-level 35 producing 125kW/310Nm, and the mid-range 40 developing 150kW/310Nm. Further up the model walk there is the all-wheel-drive 45 quattro and 50 quattro offering up 195kW/425Nm and 220kW/460Nm respectively, with an e-motor on each axle.

Another e-tron model, the Q6, is also on the radar for Australia, but the electric SUV is yet to be revealed in production guise and Head of Product for Audi’s local arm Matt Dale was quiet on its Aussie future.

"Further announcements will obviously be made on a global scale before we can confirm anything locally, but there are definitely prototypes going around in Europe at the moment."