Audi unveils its latest electric model, the Audi Q6 e-tron, built on Volkswagen Group's new PPE architecture. Positioned below the Q8 e-tron, it promises a fresh addition to the luxury lineup.

A sight to behold

The Q6 e-tron features a bold front end with a strong grille and split lighting design, housing LED DRLs in the upper section. You can personalize your Q6 e-tron's headlights with a choice of eight lighting signatures for the Matrix LED units.

The Q6 e-tron exhibits the classic Audi SUV profile, enhanced by stylish alloy wheels. At the rear, it showcases connected OLED taillights with six panels, comprising 360 segments for dynamic animations every 10 milliseconds. Audi has neatly upgraded the rear lights for enhanced functionality, enabling active communication with trailing vehicles to relay traffic conditions or alerts using intuitive warning symbols.

The unveiling of the Q6 e-tron is accompanied by its slightly sportier counterpart, the SQ6 e-tron, distinguished by blacked-out accents and unique alloy wheels.

Being the first Audi model built upon the new PPE platform, here’s how its dimensions stack up against the brand's current flagship EV SUV -

While the Q6 e-tron boasts greater width and height compared to the Q8 e-tron, the latter excels in overall length and offers a longer wheelbase, providing additional legroom inside the cabin.

Interior Updates

The Q6 e-tron introduces Audi's new interior design language, set to feature in upcoming models. The dashboard now mainly features digital elements, including curved dual-integrated screens for the driver and central functions. The model offers three main screens: an 11.9-inch digital driver display, a sizable 14.5-inch infotainment screen, and a 10.9-inch display for the passenger. Climate controls are now integrated into the central display, eliminating the need for a separate touchscreen interface. Additionally, the passenger screen features 'Active Privacy Mode' to minimize distractions for the driver.

The Q6 e-tron offers an optional augmented reality heads-up display, presenting speed, traffic signs, and navigation symbols. Audi enhances its voice assistant, dubbed 'Audi Assistant,' with Artificial Intelligence (AI) capable of understanding over 800 voice commands. Continuously learning from user behavior, it provides personalized support to the driver.

The Q6 e-tron features a light bar across the dashboard's top, extending from the left to the right door. This serves three purposes: welcoming, indicating locking/unlocking, and reflecting dynamic turn signals without replacing traditional indicators. Additionally, it displays the charge level and charging status.

Other onboard features comprise an 830W 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, a 360-degree camera, wireless phone charging, and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Although the Q6 e-tron's cabin tends to be darker overall, it maintains a dual-tone theme with chrome accents, whereas the SQ6 e-tron boasts an all-black interior.

Electric Powertrain Details 

Audi is initially introducing two variants of the global-spec Q6 e-tron: the Q6 e-tron quattro and the SQ6 e-tron, with their specifications given below -

Although both feature all-wheel-drive (AWD), Audi plans to introduce rear-wheel-drive (RWD) versions of the EV in select markets at a later stage. Additionally, an RWD Q6 e-tron with a smaller 83 kWh battery pack will be revealed at a later date.

Equipped with a 100 kWh battery and 800-volt electric architecture, the Audi Q6 e-tron supports rapid charging up to 270 kW, enabling a 10 to 80 percent charge in just 21 minutes. It comes standard with an onboard 11 kW AC charger for overnight charging, with an option for a faster 22 kW AC charger available later on.

A new innovative fast-charging solution is available for stations using 400-volt technology. In this situation, the Q6 e-tron employs bank charging, dividing its 800-volt battery setup into two equal-voltage batteries for parallel charging at up to 150 kW. Both halves of the battery are balanced and charged simultaneously, similar to the approach used in modern smartphones with large batteries to ensure efficiency and minimize the risk of battery damage.

Anticipated Launch and Pricing in India

While the Audi Q6 e-tron is currently confirmed for Germany and select European markets, we anticipate its arrival in India around 2025, alongside the SQ6 e-tron. With an expected starting price of Rs 80 lakh (ex-showroom) for the fully loaded quattro version, it will offer a premium alternative to models such as the Volvo C40 Recharge, Kia EV6, and Hyundai Ioniq 5.