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This year is going to be a big one for Audi, and it all begins with the fully electric Q6 e-tron. It's the first fully redesigned Audi to break cover in several years, and it will soon be followed by a new A6 e-tron this summer, along with new generations for the A5 and Q5.
But being the first completely new model from Audi in years isn't the only "first" that the Q6 e-tron gets to boast. It is also among the first Audi EVs to use the modular Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform from Volkswagen Group, and the very first vehicle to roll off the line at Audi's new Ingolstadt, Germany plant. It also leads the way for Audi's future lineup in terms of tech and interior design.
A glance at the Q6 e-tron wouldn't suggest such major achievements, as it is easily recognizable as a modern-day Audi––squinty lights, an angular greenhouse, and a chunky hexagonal nose up front. The DRLs and taillights feature eight selectable lighting signatures, which is just about the most U.S. customers can get out of the SUV's high-tech Matrix LED lights.
The Q6 sits at 187.8 inches long, which unsurprisingly pits it between the Q4 e-tron and Q8 e-tron, and essentially makes it your go-to EV alternative to the gas-powered Q5. As with most EVs, the few moving parts beneath the sheetmetal pay dividends for interior space, though cargo space is rated at a middling 19 cubic feet behind the second row seats (it's 54 cubic feet with the rear seats down, and a small frunk can swallow the rest). For those who would like to cut down on trunk space in favor of style, the Q6 e-tron will eventually spawn a Sportback version.
The interior is more of a departure from Audi's current lineup, as it introduces an entirely new dashboard layout. Behind the squircle-shaped steering wheel sits a 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster, which is joined by a huge 14.5-inch central infotainment display under a single curved OLED panel. Customers can also opt for an extra 10.9-inch display for the front passenger. All three screens are powered by Audi's new Android-based infotainment software.
The Q6 e-tron doesn't feature too many physical buttons inside, but Audi has implemented a new AI-powered voice assistant to make up for that. Other notable tech features include an augmented reality head-up display, over-the-air updates for the infotainment, and an optional Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. There's also an updated Adaptive Driving Assistant Plus system to join the rest of the SUV's driver-assistance features, which now depends on sensors, map data, and cloud data from other cars.
For now, the Q6 e-tron and its sportier SQ6 counterpart will offer a single powertrain that incorporates dual motors and all-wheel drive, though a cheaper rear-wheel drive variant will go on sale later on. The dual-motor powertrain pumps out 422 hp on the Q6, though the SQ6 raises the bar to 483 hp. The standard SUV's 0-60 comes in at around 5.0 seconds, while the SQ6 makes it in just 4.2 seconds. Enabling Boost mode will bump output up to a respective 456 hp and 510 hp, though we don't know how it affects 0-60 acceleration.
The motors are paired up with a new 94.4-kWh battery pack, which allows for an EPA range of about 300 miles. The underlying 800-volt PPE architecture shared with Porsche's Macan EV enables fast-charging at up to 270 kW, and the quickest chargers can add over 150 miles of range in around 10 minutes. Getting the SUV from 10 to 80 percent is estimated to take about 21 minutes. When the Q6 is hooked up to a less powerful 400-volt charger, it divides the battery into two halves and charges each simultaneously at up to 135 kW.
If you're looking for an EV that packs a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, you'll have to wait until after Audi produces its initial batch of Q6 e-tron SUVs. At launch, they will come with a CCS port and a 9.6-kW onboard AC charger, though Audi promises that the Q6 will add support for NACS and Tesla's Supercharger network later on. The SUV will also offer a more powerful 19.2-kW onboard charger sometime in the future.
The Q6 and SQ6 both come with regenerative braking, which offers five settings (one of them is one-pedal driving) that are controlled through paddles on the steering wheel. Both also share a towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds. However, the SUVs lack a rear-wheel steering option, and while the SQ6 comes with adaptive dampers and air springs, they are mere options on the Q6.
Audi won't discuss U.S. pricing until later, though it's safe to assume that the Q6 and SQ6 will cost much more than the gas-powered Q5 and SQ5. Expect to pay slightly more than $60,000 for the Q6, and over $70,000 for the SQ6. This is comparable to what the competition is asking––the Cadillac Lyriq, for example, costs $57,195, and the Mercedes EQE SUV is priced at $74,900.
Image Credits: Audi
Revealed
Mar 27, 2024
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Audi Q6 e-tron Arrives With Sharp Looks, Around 300 Miles Of Range
Audi's latest electric SUV blazes a trail for future models to follow.
This year is going to be a big one for Audi, and it all begins with the fully electric Q6 e-tron. It's the first fully redesigned Audi to break cover in several years, and it will soon be followed by a new A6 e-tron this summer, along with new generations for the A5 and Q5.
But being the first completely new model from Audi in years isn't the only "first" that the Q6 e-tron gets to boast. It is also among the first Audi EVs to use the modular Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform from Volkswagen Group, and the very first vehicle to roll off the line at Audi's new Ingolstadt, Germany plant. It also leads the way for Audi's future lineup in terms of tech and interior design.
A glance at the Q6 e-tron wouldn't suggest such major achievements, as it is easily recognizable as a modern-day Audi––squinty lights, an angular greenhouse, and a chunky hexagonal nose up front. The DRLs and taillights feature eight selectable lighting signatures, which is just about the most U.S. customers can get out of the SUV's high-tech Matrix LED lights.
The Q6 sits at 187.8 inches long, which unsurprisingly pits it between the Q4 e-tron and Q8 e-tron, and essentially makes it your go-to EV alternative to the gas-powered Q5. As with most EVs, the few moving parts beneath the sheetmetal pay dividends for interior space, though cargo space is rated at a middling 19 cubic feet behind the second row seats (it's 54 cubic feet with the rear seats down, and a small frunk can swallow the rest). For those who would like to cut down on trunk space in favor of style, the Q6 e-tron will eventually spawn a Sportback version.
The interior is more of a departure from Audi's current lineup, as it introduces an entirely new dashboard layout. Behind the squircle-shaped steering wheel sits a 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster, which is joined by a huge 14.5-inch central infotainment display under a single curved OLED panel. Customers can also opt for an extra 10.9-inch display for the front passenger. All three screens are powered by Audi's new Android-based infotainment software.
The Q6 e-tron doesn't feature too many physical buttons inside, but Audi has implemented a new AI-powered voice assistant to make up for that. Other notable tech features include an augmented reality head-up display, over-the-air updates for the infotainment, and an optional Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. There's also an updated Adaptive Driving Assistant Plus system to join the rest of the SUV's driver-assistance features, which now depends on sensors, map data, and cloud data from other cars.
For now, the Q6 e-tron and its sportier SQ6 counterpart will offer a single powertrain that incorporates dual motors and all-wheel drive, though a cheaper rear-wheel drive variant will go on sale later on. The dual-motor powertrain pumps out 422 hp on the Q6, though the SQ6 raises the bar to 483 hp. The standard SUV's 0-60 comes in at around 5.0 seconds, while the SQ6 makes it in just 4.2 seconds. Enabling Boost mode will bump output up to a respective 456 hp and 510 hp, though we don't know how it affects 0-60 acceleration.
The motors are paired up with a new 94.4-kWh battery pack, which allows for an EPA range of about 300 miles. The underlying 800-volt PPE architecture shared with Porsche's Macan EV enables fast-charging at up to 270 kW, and the quickest chargers can add over 150 miles of range in around 10 minutes. Getting the SUV from 10 to 80 percent is estimated to take about 21 minutes. When the Q6 is hooked up to a less powerful 400-volt charger, it divides the battery into two halves and charges each simultaneously at up to 135 kW.
If you're looking for an EV that packs a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, you'll have to wait until after Audi produces its initial batch of Q6 e-tron SUVs. At launch, they will come with a CCS port and a 9.6-kW onboard AC charger, though Audi promises that the Q6 will add support for NACS and Tesla's Supercharger network later on. The SUV will also offer a more powerful 19.2-kW onboard charger sometime in the future.
The Q6 and SQ6 both come with regenerative braking, which offers five settings (one of them is one-pedal driving) that are controlled through paddles on the steering wheel. Both also share a towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds. However, the SUVs lack a rear-wheel steering option, and while the SQ6 comes with adaptive dampers and air springs, they are mere options on the Q6.
Audi won't discuss U.S. pricing until later, though it's safe to assume that the Q6 and SQ6 will cost much more than the gas-powered Q5 and SQ5. Expect to pay slightly more than $60,000 for the Q6, and over $70,000 for the SQ6. This is comparable to what the competition is asking––the Cadillac Lyriq, for example, costs $57,195, and the Mercedes EQE SUV is priced at $74,900.
Image Credits: Audi
