Here’s Our First Look at the Audi Q6 e-tron

Jay Ramey
·3 min read
audi puts the near production prototype of the q6 e tron through its paces in the far north
Here’s Our First Look at the Audi Q6 e-tronAudi

Audi has only recently launched the Q4 e-tron in the US, but yet another electric model is on the way. A few days ago the Ingolstadt-based automaker gave the EV world its first preview of the Q6 e-tron, which will be a midsize electric crossover sandwiched between its Q4 and Q8 e-tron siblings.

The model has been undergoing cold weather testing in Europe ahead of its expected debut in the metal later this year.

You might at first suspect this will be yet another Audi model based on the Volkswagen Group's MEB architecture, which underpins the likes of the Q4 e-tron and the VW ID.4. But the Q6 e-tron will instead use VW Group's Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, shared with Porsche. The Q6 e-tron will mark Audi's first use of this platform.

"With the Audi Q6 e-tron, e-mobility is coming from Ingolstadt for the first time," said Markus Duesmann, CEO of Audi AG. "To this end, we're also building a dedicated battery assembly facility on site. This will enable us to retain important know-how here in Germany and train our employees in future fields."

testing under the most demanding conditions is essential for tuning the q6 e tron prototype
The Q6 e-tron will be the first Audi model to use the PPE architecture.Audi

This means the model will receive the more powerful 800-volt electrical system, which will underpin the Porsche Macan EV, Audi A6 e-tron, and a number of future Porsche and Audi models.

Just like its smaller siblings, the Q6 e-tron will be offered in standard and Sportback variants, with Ingolstadt having taken a liking to this two-flavor lineup, which will offer only dual-motor layouts.

When it comes to exterior design, the most noticeable elements are the sharp creases above the wheel arches, which we saw on the Q4 e-tron as well. We can also safely expect a hexagonal grille frame with a patterned surface, which has become Audi's trademark front fascia in the age of electrification.

"Our Vorsprung 2030 strategy provides the right answers, even in times of multiple crises," Duesmann added. "We are completely focused on sustainability and systematically advancing the digitalization and electrification of our products."

The Q6 e-tron will be produced in Ingolstadt, Germany, and should be shown in full in the second half of this year, with sales to follow shortly thereafter.

Should Audi ever return to offering smaller cars like the Audi A2, albeit with an electric powertrain, or will crossovers and SUVs continue to see significant demand in the coming years? Let us know in the comments below.