Changing the game

Audi Australia has confirmed the pricing and specification of the all-new Q6 e-tron models ahead of their arrival early in the new year. As previously announced, the Australian range will be made up of the entry-level Q6 e-tron performance from $115,500* and the all-wheel drive Q6 e-tron quattro at $122,500*. The top-of-the-line SQ6 e-tron will round out the range from $151,400* until the Sportback models arrive late in 2025.

With vehicles flown in for a special sneak preview, Audi Australia confirmed an impressive list of features for the Australian delivered cars which represent not only an all-new model but a completely new approach to fully electrified vehicles from the brand. The Q6 e-tron is ‘the most advanced Audi ever produced’ according to Peter Strudwicke, Product Manager for the Q6 range in Australia, speaking at the special launch event in Sydney.

It’s mid-sized, luxury format will have tremendous appeal for local customers, occupying that ‘just right’ or ‘Goldilocks’ position between the incoming Q4 e-tron in the compact premium ranks and the large, luxury Q8 e-tron models already available in Australia. But the Q6 e-tron differs enormously under the skin, with its completely new PPE (Premium Platform Electric) underpinnings that were developed jointly with Porsche specifically as a scalable platform for future electric vehicles from Audi.

As a result it boasts greater interior space for occupants and a more dynamic driving experience, coupled with the latest in terms of electric drive and battery technology, as well as on-board entertainment, connectivity and safety equipment.

“This car really paves the way for our electrification program,” says Matthew Dale, Audi Australia’s National Manager – Product. 

It will also mark the beginning of a model offensive that will see Audi Australia with ‘the youngest model range in the premium segment’ says Dale, of some 20 new models and model upgrades arriving in the Antipodes in the new year.

Although completely new, the Q6 e-tron is immediately identifiable as an all-electric Audi with its sculpted flanks and the low rocker line that is a feature of the brand’s e-models. The flared guards are pure Audi too while the ridge lines above the wheel arches are reminiscent of the e-tron GT models, particularly when viewed from the rear three-quarter angle. 

But the desire from a design point of view was for this ground-breaking new BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)  to ‘look Audi and be a sporty SUV, but not look like a science experiment’ says Peter Strudwicke and to that end, there is no radical departure from the brand’s design language or attempt to go space age for the sake of it.

The aerodynamics though are very much cutting edge, and while the various aerodynamic devices – smooth underfloor, wheel spoilers and active inlet shutters – are not evident at a glance, the resultant drag coefficient of 0.28 demonstrates the work that has gone into creating a slippery shape.

This of course aids in extending the range along with the composite body construction that combines a mixture of aluminium, cold and hot-formed steel as well as ultra-strong cast aluminium for a body that is rigid and yet as light as possible.

The lighting too is state of the art, with configurable front lights (up to eight different signatures) and OLED rear lights which are standard on the SQ6 and available as options on the two Q6 models.

For the Australian market the Q6 e-tron will use a 100kWh lithium-Ion battery (94.9kWh net) with 800V architecture. Weighing around 590kg it is lighter than the previous 100 kWh battery and its 12 module configuration means that damaged cells can be replaced without replacing the whole battery.

With its 270kW maximum charging performance it can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 21 minutes or a range of 255km can be added in just 10 minutes. 

In the Q6 e-tron performance this battery provides the charge for the single motor driving the rear wheels and delivering 225kW (240kW with launch control) and 485Nm of torque. That will deliver a 0 to 100km/h time of 6.6 seconds with the boost and a top speed of 210km/h.

The Q6 e-tron quattro uses two electric motors with one on the front axle and the other on the rear. These provide a combined output of 285kW with 275Nm and 580Nm of torque from the front and rear motors respectively. The sprint to 100km/h is done and dusted in 5.9 seconds while this model also has a governed top speed of 210km/h.

The top-of-the-range SQ6 e-tron likewise uses two motors with 360kW of power (380kW on boost) and the same torque outputs as the quattro version. The 0 to 100km/h sprint drops to a mere 4.3 seconds on boost while the top speed has been extended to 230km/h.

But while the exterior is a study in maximum aerodynamics from a largely conventional SUV design, it is inside that the design has changed dramatically with the introduction of Audi’s new interior architecture. This is a completely new design that draws on the brand’s reputation for producing outstanding vehicle interiors, but integrating new age technology, most noticeably in the way the digital stage creates a completely new feel and interface for the occupants and driver. This includes the likes of the all-new 10.9-inch front passenger touch screening the augmented reality head-up display which is standard in the SQ6 e-tron or can be optioned in the other models as part of the Premium package.

The equipment for the Australian models is impressive, with standard highlights for the Q6 e-tron performance including Matrix LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels and towing preparation for the exterior. Inside the performance model includes the likes of 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and 14.5-inch MMI screen as well as the aforementioned 10.9-inch passenger screen.

Electric front seats with four-way lumbar adjustment and memory for the driver, as well as heated outer rear seats. It also gets a heated steering wheel as well as three-zone climate control and 360 degree cameras.

On top of this, the Q6 e-tron quattro has S line bumpers on the front and rear as well as an S line grille in the body colour and accents in silver at the front and rear. Wheels are slightly larger 20-inch Audi Sport alloys, while the S line treatment continues through to the interior  with the aluminium pedals, illuminated front aluminium door sills and the S line steering wheel which is flattened on top and bottom.

The SQ 6 e-tron represents the pinnacle of the range and fittingly adds OLED rear tail lights, panoramic sunroof and 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels with red brake callipers, as well as adaptive air suspension as standard.

Inside the ’S’ model is an electric steering column and colour ambient interior lighting, as wells as S sport seats upholstered in fine Nappa leather and featuring massage function. There is also the sublime Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system and the aforementioned augmented reality head-up display as standard equipment.

In terms of safety, it goes without saying that all Audi Q6 e-tron models feature a full suit of safety and driver assistance systems for the ultimate in vehicle safety.

Of course for those wanting to add additional equipment in certain areas, there will also be a number of packages available at launch. Available for the Q6 performance, the Style package offers up an S line exterior, 20-inch Audi Sport wheels, black exterior package and privacy glass for $5,500*. 

A Style package is also offered for the Q6 e-tron quattro with 21-inch Audi Sport wheels, black exterior package and privacy glass for $3,600* while a Tech pro package ($4,900*) allows customers to add Adaptive air suspension, electric steering column and digital OLED tail lights to their performance or quattro models.

Finally, the Premium package ($8,900*) includes a panoramic sunroof, augmented reality head-up display, Bang & Olufsen sound system, colour ambient interior lighting, higher charging capacity USB ports and acoustic glazing for the front windows.

The Q6 e-tron models will arrive in Australia with Audi’s five year unlimited kilometre warranty as well as six year roadside assistance and a 12 month Chargefox subscription. Of course the vehicle is also covered by Audi’s 12 year corrosion warranty and the battery is also covered with an eight year, 160,000km warranty.

The Q6 e-tron will arrive in Australia in a matter of months when they can be experienced ‘in the metal’. But for those wanting to get a closer at this groundbreaking vehicle ahead of its arrival, the Q6 e-tron will star at this weekend’s Sydney International EV Autoshow at the Sydney's International Convention Centre, along with the compact premium Q4 e-tron and the high-performance RS e-tron GT.

(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)