Audi grows its ever-expanding lineup of electric vehicles (EV) with the addition of the brand new Q6 e-tron. Set to reach later this 12 months within the United States, there’s extra to the Q6 e-tron than what you see at face worth. It could also be one more electrical luxurious crossover SUV, however what you’re seeing from the surface solely tells a part of the story.

Moving ahead, the Q6 e-tron will set the tone for future electrical Audis by way of battery expertise, quicker charging speeds, in addition to driving dynamics. Underneath that acquainted outer shell is a automobile that creates a variety of firsts for the Audi model—one which can even be inherited by future Audi electrical luxurious automobiles shifting ahead.

In order to provide the most modern and correct info potential, the information used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Audi.

The Q6 e-tron Rides On A New Bespoke EV Platform

The most fascinating stuff concerning the 2024 Audi Q6 e-tron isn’t truly what you see, however what lies beneath the automobile and the way it will set the tone for future electrical Audis. That’s as a result of the Q6 e-tron is totally new from the battery chemistry to the roof panel—sharing nothing from its Q4 e-tron and Q8 e-tron siblings. In reality, it’s much more cutting-edge than the sultry e-tron GT.

It’s Based On The PPE

The Q6 e-tron’s magic begins with its PPE. No, not private protecting gear, however Premium Platform Electric. The new PPE that the Q6 e-tron relies on is an all-new bespoke EV structure that Audi developed with Porsche. So sure, it means it should share rather a lot in frequent with the new Macan EV, however as with the 2 Volkswagen Group manufacturers, Audi and Porsche have at all times performed an excellent job of giving their fashions distinct flavors.

Anyway, what meaning is that the Q6 e-tron inherits among the intelligent battery and charging tips that the Macan EV additionally has. This begins with its 800-volt structure, whereby the 100 kWh (94.9 kWh usable) lithium-ion battery can settle for as much as 270 kW of DC quick charging.

However, in the event you’re solely in a position to entry a 400-volt charger, that is when the pc techniques start financial institution charging. That principally means the 800-volt battery is split into two 400-volt batteries that cost in parallel. AC charging, nonetheless, maxes out at 11 kW, which is half of what EVs just like the more affordable Hyundai Ioniq 5 can obtain.

PPE Also Means Performance With Efficiency

The PPE bespoke EV platform has a stronger concentrate on driving dynamics and effectivity in comparison with the MEB platform of the This fall e-tron and the MLB Evo of the Q8 e-tron. This begins with the tuning of the 2 electrical motors, as a result of whereas it maintains the attribute AWD grip of a typical Audi Quattro system, the electrical motors within the Q6 e-tron are rear-biased. In reality, it is the rear permanent-magnet synchronous (PSM) motors that work primarily everytime you drive, with the entrance asynchronous motor (ASM) powering the automobile throughout high-demand conditions.

Numerous effectivity enhancements have additionally been applied because of the PPE platform, and this begins with how the electrical motors are cooled. Audi’s engineers have developed a system the place the electrical motors are instantly liquid-cooled, such because the stator winding and everlasting magnets within the rotor. As a outcome, the power-to-weight efficiency of the PPE’s electrical drive motor is round 60 p.c increased than that of the first-generation electrical drives from Audi.

Furthermore, due to rotor oil cooling, Audi was additionally in a position to considerably scale back its use of heavy uncommon earth metals and, on the identical time, enhance the facility density by 20-percent. As a outcome, the power losses of the electrical motors have been considerably diminished by round 50 p.c compared to the first Audi e-tron SUV.

The Most Dynamic Audi Electric SUV Yet

Thanks to the brand new PPE, the Q6 e-tron is the most athletic and sporty Audi electric SUV so far. Not solely will it include efficiency and effectivity enhancements by no means earlier than seen in an Audi electrical SUV, however it should additionally include dealing with prowess that may hopefully make the Q6 e-tron one of many most interesting dealing with electrical crossover SUVs at its worth level.

Quattro (Initially) As Standard

In the United States, the Q6 e-tron will initially be supplied with dual-motor Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) as commonplace. For the usual Q6 e-tron, this implies a complete output of 422 horsepower (456 horsepower in launch mode) and 428 pound-feet of torque. This is sufficient for a 0-60 mph time of simply 5 seconds.

Audi Q6 e-tron Specs

(Data sourced from Audi)

On the opposite hand, the performance-oriented SQ6 e-tron has 483 horsepower (510 horses with launch mode) and 610 pound-feet of torque, which is sweet for a 0-60 mph time of simply 4.2 seconds. Later down the road, single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) variations can even be supplied. According to Audi, these RWD fashions can have a stronger concentrate on effectivity.

Athleticism Baked In As Standard

As talked about, by utilizing the brand new PPE platform, the Q6 e-tron has been given athletic talents that have been by no means earlier than seen in an Audi electrical crossover SUV. Apart from the rear-biased Quattro dual-motor AWD that additionally occurs to be extremely environment friendly, Audi’s engineers have spent quite a lot of effort in making the Q6 e-tron really feel sporty and athletic. How that interprets into the true world remains to be unknown for us since we’ve not gotten our palms on a Q6 e-tron but, however from the engineering deep dive Audi has supplied, there’s loads to get excited concerning the Q6 e-tron.

Those new electric motors require 30 percent less installation space, while additionally being lighter by 20 p.c than earlier Audi electrical motors. The steering has additionally been bolted to the subframe for a extra direct really feel. Audi has additionally employed higher suspension kinematics by the positioning of the management arms in direction of the entrance of the suspension arms within the route of journey. This additionally contributes to raised steering habits in addition to improved packaging for the battery.

As commonplace, the Q6 e-tron additionally comes with passive Frequency Selective Damping, which reduces damping forces with high-frequency bumps while sustaining excessive damping forces on low-frequency bumps. Finally, the elective adaptive air suspension is tied into the brand new Electronic Chassis Platform (ECP), which permits for particular person operation of every damper each millisecond, relying on the highway floor, the driving fashion, and the chosen drive mode.

Familiar Looks At First Glance

Though there are a variety of fascinating issues taking place underneath the Audi Q6 e-tron, we positive want that the German automaker did one thing extra artistic to offer this electrical crossover SUV extra distinction. The Q6 e-tron appears very acquainted, although a variety of the fascinating particulars of this electrical crossover SUV are deep inside its small particulars.

It’s All About The Light Signature

From an aesthetics standpoint, the Audi Q6 e-tron in some way appears like what you’d count on a center little one of the e-tron household to be. It’s a mixture of sure components that leads to a automobile that appears acquainted, however not precisely pushing the boundaries of design. The SQ6 e-tron does look sportier, particularly with its bigger wheels, fake aluminum skid plates, and extra aggressive bumpers, however by and huge, the Q6 e-tron vary additionally in some way combines components of the This fall e-tron and the Q8 e-tron.

Where it begins to get fascinating is while you poke by the automotive’s lighting components. The Q6 e-tron debuts Audi’s first manufacturing use of split-type headlights, that are the model’s signature adaptive matrix LED headlights. The LED daytime working lights are additionally configurable, which, relying on the gear chosen, can characteristic as much as eight completely different daytime working gentle patterns.

The lighting state of affairs will get much more fascinating while you go towards the rear, the place the elective digital OLED rear gentle sample is not only customizable, but additionally comes with security advantages. The OLED hind lights point out when the automobile behind the Q6 e-tron is simply too shut and supply a visible warning when somebody is exiting the automobile, amongst different capabilities.

Digitalization Is At Its Core

The new Audi Q6 e-tron additionally comes with a well-recognized inside design, however whereas it appears comparable, the tech working the inside is totally new. As anticipated, you may count on top-notch materials high quality from an Audi, while the MMI infotainment you are seeing is working a brand new working system that is primarily based on Google’s Android Automotive OS.

Not Android Auto, let’s simply make clear that (which it additionally comes with), however the operating system itself is called Android Automotive. This consists of an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.5-inch foremost infotainment display, which might both be managed by contact or by the digital assistant that’s visualized by an avatar.

Because digitalization performs a significant position within the Q6 e-tron, it is not stunning that it comes with its app retailer, together with elective extras like a 22-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, an interplay gentle bar, in addition to the choice so as to add a ten.9-inch entrance passenger show. The final merchandise comes with so-called “shutter technology” that principally blocks the display’s view from the motive force whereas the passenger watches a film.