We saw the unprecedented Audi Q6 e-tron on the road for the first time last March, and it is now being “caught up” again in new spy photos in the vicinity of the Volkswagen Group's test facilities located on the Nürburgring.
Audi's new electric bet assumes, as we can easily see, the contours of an SUV and as its name indicates, it will be positioned above the Q4 e-tron, which is already on sale and which we were already able to test.
So, if the Q4 e-tron is a C-segment electric SUV, where Audi already had the Q3 (combustion engine only), the future Q6 e-tron will occupy a place in the D-segment, where Audi already has the Q5.
PPE, the new electric platform
The four-ring brand's new electric proposal will share many “genes” with the future Porsche Macan, which will also be electric-only, similar to what we see between the current Macan and the Q5.
Both electric SUVs will be based on the new specific platform for electric PPE (Premium Platform Electric), which will allow an 800 V architecture (as already happens in the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT).
So far, little is known about the future specifications of these models based on PPE. The best clues as to what to expect are given to us by the A6 e-tron concept, unveiled last April at the Shanghai Motor Show.
The electric sedan, also based on the PPE, announced two electric motors (one per axle) that guaranteed a maximum power of 350 kW (476 hp), came equipped with a battery of around 100 kWh, promised more than 700 km of autonomy and loads up to 270 kW.
How much of these features will carry over to production models, we will have to wait some more time to confirm them.
typically SUV
Moreover, what the Audi Q6 e-tron spy photos show is a typical SUV silhouette with well-defined two-volume volumes, with promises of internal dimensions at the level of the larger Q7, despite the external dimensions being aligned with the smaller ones. Q5.
Audi had already announced that production of the new Q6 e-tron would start in the second half of 2022, with commercialization of the electric SUV taking place either in late 2022 or early 2023.
Bearing in mind that the future 100% electric Porsche Macan will be unveiled before the Q6 e-tron and that the German brand announced its sale in 2023, most likely Audi's “cousin” will only reach dealers after this one, also in 2023.
As with the Q4 e-tron, it is anticipated that shortly thereafter the Q6 e-tron will be accompanied by a Sportback variant.