On Monday, Audi revealed its new all-electric Q6 e-tron SUV, the first production vehicle on its next-generation electric vehicle architecture for 2024. Sitting in between the Q4 and Q8 e-tron, it’s an electric-powered alternative to the popular Q5 and a long-awaited answer to cars like the BMW iX and Mercedes EQE SUV. The Volkswagen-owned luxury carmaker says the new “Premium Platform Electric” opens up new levels of technology for Audi with q6 e-tron, including a rapid EV recharge time of 158 miles in 10 minutes.
The vehicle ushers in the next generation of EVs for Audi, which continues to offer more all-electric and plug-in hybrid EVs despite growth slowing recently for EVs.
Audi Q6 e-tron release date
With first deliveries later this year, the Q6 e-tron debuts as either a standard quattro model or the powerful SQ6. The Audi Q6 e-tron release date is going to be second half of 2024, not long after the Porsche Macan EV.
Audi confirmed it plans to introduce about 20 new or significantly redesigned models and derivatives globally through 2025, more than half of which will be electric.
Audi Q6 e-tron’ specs
Top performance specifications for the U.S. include up to 510 horsepower, max speed of 143 miles per hour and 0 mph to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.
The Q6 e-tron’s debuts some new features for Audi SUVs. At the front, there’s the brand’s signature grille. The sides feature a low window line over prominent ‘blistered’ wheelarches. There are styling lines extending rearwards from the daytime running lights and forward from the taillights, while the lower portion of the doors features black accents to make the sides look more sculpted. The rear is pretty boxy, as befits a proper SUV.
The headlights are with slim daytime running lights featured above while the main headlight units themselves are integrated into the air intakes and much less prominent.
The high-performance SQ6 stands out with aluminum accents on the grille, front bumper, rear bumper and side skirts replacing the gloss black of the standard quattro model.
Audi Q6 e-tron dimensions
At 4,771mm long, the Q6 e-tron is around 200mm shorter than the Q8 e-tron but it’s 90mm longer than a Q5, not to mention 70mm wider – it’s a large car. Wheel options range from 18- to 21-inches, with the sporty SQ6 getting 20-inch wheels as standard.
Audi Q6 e-tron interior
There’s a whole new style of Audi interior that debuts with the Q6 e-tron. Audi Q6 e-tron interior is more minimalist than any that have come before it, with very few physical buttons.
What you do get is plenty of screen. There’s also a large head-up display on some models with augmented reality features. You can even play a couple of cool 3D games on this while you’re stationary.
Actual physical switchgear is limited to the gear selector, a volume knob, buttons for the drive select and hazard lights, and the steering wheel. There’s also a very busy panel on the door that controls the mirrors, lights, central locking and seat memory.
What’s easier to praise is the environment and build quality. While the cabin materials are all dark, there’s loads of configurable ambient lighting, and the windows are large enough that it doesn’t feel claustrophobic. Material quality is also top-notch, and we especially like the fabric strip that runs from door to door, breaking up the lines of the dashboard.
The Q6 e-tron can also tow up to 2.4 tonnes, joining a fairly small group of EVs that can actually tow – though expect your range to plummet if you make use of this.
Audi Q6 e-tron range
Ordering for the Q6 e-tron quattro as well as an “S” performance variant will open this month in Europe, starting at a range of 74,400 euros or about $81,000, and 93,800 euros, or $102,030, respectively. The Q6 e-tron has an estimated range on a single charge of 625 kilometers, or 388 miles.
Audi currently offers all-electric Q4 and Q8 SUVs as well as a $106,500 GT sedan in the U.S. market.
Full specifications and trim details will be revealed at the end of April.
