The Q6 e-tron raises the bar when it comes to what we can expect from Audi EVs. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The Q6 e-tron. At first glance, just another premium all-electric Audi SUV, the next step up from the Q4 e-Tron. Actually though, it could hardly be more significant thanks to it's all new Porsche co-developed PPE platform that will undergird forthcoming Audi electric models into the foreseeable future.

Background

A 'technological leap'. Audi thinks that's what this Q6 e-tron is, familiar though the packaging might look. Like its similarly-sized combustion counterpart the Q5, it shares much with an equivalent Porsche, in this case the Macan Electric. That obvious rival also has this Q6 e-tron's new 'PPE' 'Premium Performance Electric' platform, the first installation of ultra-rapid charging 800V architecture in an Audi SUV. It's also shared with the A6 e-tron and is a big step forward - the point, you could argue, from which the technology of electric Audis really starts to get serious. An EV of this model size is over-due for Audi, a brand that until this point hasn't really had an electric SUV naturally sized to take on key contenders in the upper mid-sized premium segment like the Jaguar I-PACE, the BMW iX and the Mercedes EQE SUV. But the competition in this class is fierce, so this, the first electric Audi to be built at its company's Ingolstadt base, will need to be very good indeed.

Driving Experience

The line-up kicks off with two rear-driven models. One is an entry-level variant using a smaller 83kWh battery (75.8kWh of it usable), which goes 326 miles between charges. It puts out 252PS (or 292PS with launch control) and makes 62mph in 7.0s. The other version, badged 'performance', uses a larger 100kWh battery (94.9kWh of it usable) and offers the longest drive range in the Q6 e-tron SUV line-up - 392 miles (10 miles less than the equivalent Sportback version). It puts out 306PS (or 326PS with launch control) and makes 62mph in 6.6s. Beyond that is the quattro 4WD version, also with the 100kWh battery, which manages 381 miles of range. It puts out 388PS and makes 62mph in 5.9s. Much the same powertrain also features in the top SQ6 e-tron, but here the motors are tuned to deliver 490PS (or as much as 517PS with launch control engaged). Which takes the car to 62mph in just 4.3s en route 143mph. Range from the same battery falls only slightly to 358 miles (due to wider tyres). If that's still not fast enough, talk to your dealer about the forthcoming RS Q6 Sportback e-tron model, expected to produce over 600PS. The dual motor powertrain in the quattro and SQ6 Sportback e-tron AWD variants features a rear-based torque distribution system; and different front and rear motor sizes mean that different amounts of power can be sent to each axle as required.

Design and Build

Two body styles are offered - the standard SUV, which is our focus here. Or the sleeker-looking Sportback version. Either way, there wasn't much space for this Q6 e-tron to fit in between Audi's existing Q4 and Q8 e-tron models. In the event, it's almost as big as the larger car (4.77m to the Q8's 4.9m length) - about the same as a Mercedes EQE SUV. And it manages to actually be just as wide (and taller) than a Q8. At first glance, you might mistake the Q6 for either of these two other Audis, but look a little closer. The 'double deck' lighting 'face' is completely new, with the daytime running lights positioned high and the main beam headlamps further down in the bodywork. These flank the new more upright interpretation of the brand's familiar Singleframe grille. In profile, large 'quattro blisters' run down the rear three-quarter section and there's a full-width tailgate OLED light strip, featuring six panels and 360 segments with an 'active digital light' signature. This can work proactively - for example, flashing a red warning triangle in the rear lights if you brake suddenly. Where this car really stands out as an all-new design though is inside, where the cabin is completely different to any Audi you'll have seen before. The only thing that's in any way similar is the Q4-like steering wheel. A 'softwrap' design extends from the doors around a main dashboard sculpted in a 'digital stage' shape supposed to resemble the Singleframe grille. As part of this, an 11.9-inch digital instrument display blends into a 14.5-inch curved control infotainment touchscreen. Customers can also specify a further 10.9-inch display ahead of the front seat passenger, which has tech to prevent the driver being distracted by it while the car is moving. What will grab your attention at the wheel is the useful dynamic interaction light at the base of the screen, which flashes in different colours to display information and warnings. There's a new generation AI-augmented voice assistant which can now control over 800 features. And a very minimalist-style design vibe which reduces physical dashboard buttons to an absolute minimum. Even those you get on the wheel are of the touch panel sort. Thanks to the stretched 2,899mm wheelbase length, Q6 customers should be very happy with the provided rear seat space. Both head and knee room for back seat folk are excellent. And behind them in this five-seat-only design is a roomy 526-litre boot. A further 64-litre area beneath the bonnet is provided for the charging leads.

Market and Model

From launch, Q6 e-tron prices started from around £59,000 for the SUV model. It's from around £69,000 for the dual Motor quattro version; and around £93,000 for the SQ6 e-tron. There's a £2,500 premium for the swoopier Sportback body shape. And there are three trim levels - 'Sport', 'S line' and 'Edition 1'. Either way, there's quite a lot of overlap with the larger Q8 e-tron model. You get plenty of technology for that though, thanks in part to this Q6's newly developed 'electronic architecture E3' tech, which allows customers to experience digitalisation in the vehicle more directly than an Audi ever has before. The E3 system controls all vehicle functions - from infotainment and driving features through to semi-automated driving. One example is the car's Augmented Reality Head-Up Display; the far virtual distance of its image creates the impression that the elements shown are floating up to 200 metres away. Virtual content is thus seamlessly integrated into reality. This can also show the avatar for the self-learning Audi voice assistant, which can be used to control numerous vehicle functions which understands more than 800 voice commands. The new infotainment system uses Android Automotive OS as its operating system for the first time, has over-the-air updates, the latest Audi connect services and a 'Store' section that gives customers access to a wide range of apps. And you can have a 22-speaker 830-watt Bang & Olufsen Premium sound system with four speakers built into the front seat headrests, enabling cabin sound zones to be delineated. Obviously, there's loads of drive assist tech too. A 'Parking system plus' set-up with a 360-degree display, swerve assist and turn assist, a top-view camera, a traffic-sign-based speed limiter, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking in front and rear, camera-based traffic sign recognition, intersection assist, lane departure warning, a lane change assistant, an exit warning system, rear cross traffic assist, rear turn assist, and advanced driver attention and fatigue monitor systems are all on board as standard.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the range figures for the Q6 e-tron SUV model in our 'Driving' section - 326 miles for the standard version, 392 miles for the 'performance' model, 381 miles for the quattro and 358 miles for the SQ6. You can do up to 10 miles better by choosing the Sportback bodyshape with any of these variants. Audi reckons its electric motors are among the most efficient in the industry. In this car, the brand uses asynchronous motors in the front axle and permanent synchronous motors on the rear, these units featuring dry sump oil cooling for better efficiency and management of heat. The company reckons these motors offer 62% more power density and 33% greater performance than the earlier generation units fitted to the Q8 e-tron. This Q6's standard inclusion of a heat pump will preserve driving range in very cold conditions. Audi says in this case it adds around 19 miles of extra range in really cold temperatures. On to charging, for which, helpfully, the car provides ports on both sides, though only one port can accept the fastest DC charging rate. The main news with this Q6 design is the switch to an 800V architecture with the PPE platform. This means that your Q6 can be charged at up to 270kW if you can find the right ultra rapid charger. Apparently, 158 miles of range can be added in as little as 10 minutes. It also means this Q6 can benefit from so-called 'bank charging': that means that at feebler public chargers (of up to 135kW) that can't handle the PPE platform's 800V power, this Audi will split the battery in two and run each half at 400V, optimising battery replenishment speed and efficiency, so charging will still be super-quick.

Summary

Audi has come a long way with its EVs since its first one, the under-whelming E-tron SUV of 2018. That car's heavy design hobbled the subsequent Q8 e-tron. The e-tron GT quattro model that followed it was a bit niche and the Q4-e-tron has sold well, but isn't quite premium enough. With this Q6 e-tron though, Audi's got it just about right. Familiar looks disguise a PPE platform 800V engineering revolution here; this really is a fresh stage of EV development for the brand. Which you get a better feel for in the luxuriously redesigned cabin. True, in the Porsche Macan Electric, you can get a slightly more dynamic-feeling version of this same basic design. But if you don't feel an upper mid-sized EV crossover like this really needs to be that sporty, then you may well feel that in this Q6 e-tron, Audi's got things just about right.