The folks from Ingolstadt have once again expanded their e-tron lineup. The Q6 e-tron slots between the Q8 e-tron and the Q4 e-tron. It also becomes the second car to sit on the PPE platform developed jointly with Porsche, with the Macan EV having debuted not too long ago. Audi’s press release states the Q6 e-tron is the next step into the car maker’s transformation into a premium EV manufacturer. Is that so? Let’s put on our hats now.
For the PPE platform, Audi has developed the E3 1.2 electronic architecture, comprising of five high-performance computers to control various vehicle functions; from infotainment and driving functions through to semi-automated driving in later evolutionary stages. The flexibility of the PPE platform will allow Audi to underpin future models such as the A6 e-tron.
The Q6 e-tron lineup comes in two trims; the standard Q6 e-tron, and the SQ6 e-tron. Both models come with all-wheel drive, although Audi says rear-wheel drive models will follow sometime later depending on the market demand, with a focus on range and efficiency, while also serving as an entry point into the lineup
Backed by a 100 kWh battery pack, the Q6 e-tron claims to cover 625 km on a single charge. Since the PPE platform gets an 800-volt architecture, it gets the advantage of 270 kW DC fast charging, with a claimed time of 21 minutes for a 10-80% charge. However, this will obviously be different once the Q6 e-tron is launched here. The Q6 e-tron also supports 11 kW AC standard charging as well. Speaking of performance, the standard Q6 e-tron takes 5.9 seconds to reach triple digits, while the SQ6 takes just 4.3 seconds for the same. As for the top speed, the Q6 e-tron and the SQ6 reach 210 and 230 kph respectively.
Things might appear slightly different on the inside; the Q6 e-tron gets a blended curved screen setup, featuring a 11.9-inch digital cluster and a 14.5-inch MMI infotainment display. Similar to the Porsche Cayenne, the Q6 e-tron also gets a 10.9-inch passenger display with a privacy mode, which ensures the driver remains undisturbed while the front passenger chooses to stream movies or use navigation. Audi has also offered a self-learning AI voice assistant, which is said to understand more than 800 commands, and it can be activated either via various functions on the screen, or via the MyAudi app. There’s also the ADAS suite on offer, with features such as rear park assist, cruise control, lane departure warning, efficiency assist, active front assist and a distraction and drowsiness warning system among others.
Audi is yet to comment officially regarding an India launch, but we can expect to hear something in the coming months. The standard Q6 e-tron is most likely to be offered here, and save for its Porsche cousin, it does not have any direct rivals here yet. Would you wait for it?
