Audi Q6 e-tron Revealed: Bold Styling, New Platform And 600km+ Range

• Audi Q6 e-tron revealed globally

• First production model to be based on PPE, developed jointly with Porsche

• Based on E3 1.2 electronic architecture, making it the most advanced EV in Audi’s portfolio

• Available in two guises: Standard Q6 e-tron and SQ 6 e-tron

• Interior follows a new design philosophy with recycled materials in the seats

• Standard Q6 e-tron puts out 387PS while the SQ 6 e-tron puts out 517PS

• Powertrain highlights include a 100kWh battery pack and a claimed range of up to 625km

• 800‑volt charging architecture allows a maximum charging capacity of 270 kW as standard

The Audi Q6 nameplate has gone electric and the makeover involves more than just replacing the IC-powertrain for an electric one. Infact, Audi claims the Q6 e-tron to be the technological vanguard of its electric lineup, thanks to a new Premium Platform Electric (PPE). This platform has been jointly developed with Porsche and the Q6 e-tron also boasts a new E3 1.2 electronic architecture. Let’s take a look at what it’s all about:

Audi Q6 e-tron Design

The front is aggressive with a huge mask-like grille flanked by the DRLs and headlights. Audi claims to have the world's first active digital light signature with six OLED panels with a total of 360 segments. As a result, you can customise the DRLs with up to eight digital light signatures, while the taillights can be individualised completely. 

The side profile sports a clean design with the roofline sloping slightly downwards, further enhancing the sporty stance of the vehicle. The styling alloys, which look even more aggressive in the SQ guise, fill up the wheel arches nicely.

The rear styling is typically Audi, with the tail light stretching across the boot and defining the width at the back. It does look like a slightly restyled Q8 e-tron if you squint your eyes enough and similarities can be drawn in the way the bumper and the elements within it have been positioned.

Audi Q6 e-tron Cabin

The Audi Q6 e-tron’s cabin is based on a whole new design philosophy. Audi says it's a ‘three-dimensional and high contrast design’ but we’ll just stick to the styling being rather busy. There isn’t a mono- or dual-tone theme here, as multiple colours have been used throughout the cabin. The central 14.5-inch infotainment system takes most of the dashboard real estate, followed by the 10.1-inch display for the passenger.

As you’d expect, the use of ambient lighting is generous, but the use of recycled materials throughout the cabin and even the seats isn’t as expected. Audi has given all the areas of control a high-gloss black finish for clarity of interaction. In our opinion,the high-gloss black finish might make finding controls easier to use, but maintaining those black panels and keeping them scratch-free will be an issue down the line.

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The driver gets a 11.9-inch fully digital display behind the quirky four-spoke steering wheel and the augmented reality heads-up display is an optional extra. Of course, the list of features is generous and includes the aforementioned screens, along with a 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen Premium sound system, and a host of ADAS features.

Audi Q6 e-tron Powertrain

Based on an 800-volt architecture, the Q6 e-tron uses a 100 kWh battery pack for both the standard and SQ guises. The former has an output of 387 PS, while the latter gets additional power of up to 517 PS. The setup boasts a claimed range of up to 625 km, but expect a smaller number with the SQ 6 e-tron variant. 

Also Read: Here’s The Quickest Hybrid Car We’ve Tested Under Rs 31 Lakh

Both get all-wheel-drive, but rear-wheel-drive variants with more range will follow soon after launch. Thanks to a charging capacity of up to 270 kW, the battery can be recharged from ten to 80 percent in around 21 minutes. 

However, if a charging station works with a 400‑volt technology only, the Q6 e-tron cleverly divides the 800‑volt battery into two batteries, which can then be charged simultaneously with up to 135 kW. Now that’s clever!

While Audi will start taking orders for the Q6 e-tron in March itself, deliveries will begin in the third quarter of 2024. But that’s for international markets, and we reckon a launch in India could happen sometime late in 2024. It should technically be priced lower than the flagship Q8-e tron, which retails between Rs 1.14 crore and Rs 1.27 crore (ex-showroom). But given the technological advancements made by it, we won’t be surprised at an even bigger price tag. It can be considered as an alterantive to the BMW iX and Volvo EX90.