The high-horsepower Audi Q6 E-Tron is a Porsche-connected Leap Forward

The high-horsepower Audi Q6 E-Tron is a Porsche-connected Leap Forward


Audi took the wraps off its new Q6 E-Tron SUV tonight, unveiling the next generation of its battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). This model moves the ball forward in technology for the Ingolstadt, Germany-based automaker.

The model sits on a new platform that was developed by Porsche, which, like Audi, is a member of the Volkswagen Group family. Called “PPE”, this platform is designed to allow future Audi models to compete with those from other luxury automakers, especially their performance differences.

The Q6 E-Tron is a luxury mid-size SUV that is close to the same dimensions as the Q5 SUV. It is a third of a foot long, 4 inches wide and half an inch short. The SUV’s wheelbase is a quarter-foot long.

The new design has allowed the traditional Audi angles and forms to change to smoother lines more in line with the E-Tron GT rather than the Q5.

The wide line of lights at the back emphasizes the width of the SUV. The OLED lights have 360 ​​fields that are used to produce a new image every ten milliseconds using a specially developed algorithm.

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology in headlights allows them to communicate with other connected vehicles to warn of accidents or breakdowns, for example.

Q6 e-trons shipped to US shores will not receive moving light and connectivity technology due to government regulations. If regulations change, lighting and connectivity technology can be activated via an over-the-air update.

New electric motors and a new lithium-ion battery chemistry will allow the Q6 E-Tron to travel up to 388 miles between charges according to the WLTP (European) test cycle, the automaker said. A similarly sized Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV can go 320 while the BMW iX is good for 324 according to the EPA rating, which is traditionally strict.

The SUV can charge at a rate of up to 270 kilowatts (kW) thanks to its 800-volt design. Audi said that 158 ​​miles of charge can be added to the “tank” in 10 minutes under good charging conditions. Charging from 10 to 80 percent can happen within 21 minutes.

Audi will eventually offer the SUV in two battery options, 83 kilowatts (kW) and 100 kW. The North American market is likely to get only the larger battery.

Drivers can also recover lost energy with regenerative braking. Audi said that around 95 percent of daily braking processes can be taken care of by its regenerative braking system.

Both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive Q6 E-Tron will be sold, but availability will depend on where the buyer lives. Acceleration from zero to 60 mph comes in at a brisk 5.0 seconds in the Q6 E-Tron version or 4.2 seconds in the SQ6 sport variant when launch mode is engaged. Speeds increase to 130 and 142 miles per hour (mph), respectively.

Various power variants of the model will be available. US models include the 422-horsepower (hp) Q6 E-Tron and the 482-hp SQ6 E-Tron. Both models get a small horsepower boost in launch mode.

The Q6 E-Tron is home to Audi’s new interior design philosophy that takes psychology and technology into account to make space more comfortable and usable. Spaces are distinguished by the materials used. The comfort-oriented areas have soft materials while the control areas have high-gloss black surfaces.

The clean interior concept relies heavily on sustainable materials. The surfaces are made from recycled polyester. The plastic elements on the front of the model, including the HVAC intake, have been restored.

The driver-centric cockpit is a curved OLED display that features an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster (virtual cockpit) and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The Q6 E-Tron is capable of being fitted with an Augmented Reality Head-up Display. Digital technology displays speed, traffic signs, assistance alerts and navigation markers on a virtual plane in front of the driver. The image gives the impression that the depicted elements are floating in mid-air 656 feet away.

An additional 10.9-inch touchscreen sits in front of the passenger. It is not visible to the driver when the car is in motion.

All screens run the Android Auto operating system in the background, skinned similar to the one used by Volvo.

Buyers will have a 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen Premium audio system on offer. It delivers 830 watts of power, and includes four speakers in the head unit.

Audi has developed an SUV that can seat five people, with ample cargo space of 18.5 cubic feet. The interior space benefits from the flat floor of the electric vehicle platform.

The front truck offers 2.2 cubic feet of storage space.

Audi’s equipped the Q6 E-Tron with a range of driver assistance and safety technologies. The adaptive driving assistant attachment is designed to assist with acceleration, speed maintenance, vehicle spacing, and lane guidance using high-resolution map data.

Rear park assist, cruise control, lane departure warning, traction assist, active front brake assist, and driver drowsiness warning are standard on the new SUV.

Audi manufactures the Q6 E-Tron at the company’s plant in Ingolstadt, Germany. Its physical labor productivity is 87 percent automated with 328 workers and 1,150 robots working in shifts per shift.

Pricing and delivery dates for the car will be announced in the coming weeks and months.