Audi opens order book for Q6 E-tron electric SUV

INGOLSTADT, Germany — Audi's delayed Q6 E-tron will be available to order this month and will be delivered to customers in the third quarter of 2024.

The Q6 E-tron is the brand's third battery-electric SUV, joining the smaller Q4 E-tron and larger Q8 E-tron. Its unveiling at Audi's headquarters here marks a significant step toward the brand's goal of having an electric-only lineup by 2033.

The Q6 E-tron is the first Audi model on parent Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Electric architecture, which is shared with Porsche's full-electric Macan that was unveiled in January. The launches of both the electric Macan and Q6 E-tron have been delayed because of software development issues.

"The PPE shows how we are pooling expertise within the Volkswagen Group and thus making electric mobility scalable," Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said in a statement.

Audi said a newly developed lithium-ion battery consisting of 12 modules and 180 prismatic cells with a total gross capacity of 100 kilowatts gives the SUV a driving range of up to 625 km (388 miles).

At market launch, the Q6 E-tron quattro and the more powerful SQ6 E-tron will be available, both with all-wheel drive. The Q6 E-tron starts at €74,700 ($81,200) in Germany, around €10,000 less than the electric Macan.

The launch models will be followed, depending on the market, by rear-wheel-drive models with a longer range and lower prices likely to start as less than €70,000.

The Q6 E-tron quattro accelerates from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds. The SQ6 E-tron takes 4.3 seconds. The vehicles' top speeds are 210 kph (130 mph) and 230 kmph (142 mph), respectively, Audi said. Both versions have dual-motor drivetrains.

Audi said the new PPE architecture gives the Q6 E-tron more interior room and storage space.

Florian Hauser, Audi's product manager for the platform and the Q6 E-tron, said the crossover will be aimed at couples and young families.

Its dimensions are halfway between the Q4 and Q8. It has a length of 4771 mm (15.6 ft), a width of 1993 mm (6.5 ft) and a height of 1648 mm (5.4 ft). Its trunk has a capacity from 526 to 1,529 liters. The "frunk" under the hood holds another 64 liters.

The dashboard is dominated by a series of screens: an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit display and a 14.5-inch infotainment screen that is curved toward the driver. There is also a 10.9-inch front passenger display

Audi said the infotainment system is powered by an Android Automotive operating system. The brand will also offer an augmented reality head-up display.

The Q6 E-tron will be built at the automaker's plant in Ingolstadt and is the first EV to be produced there, Audi said.

The Q6 E-tron has 800-volt technology and a maximum charging capacity of up to 270 kWh as standard.

When utilizing a charging station compatible with 400-volt technology, Audi said the Q6 E-tron is enabled with bank charging: The battery is automatically divided into two batteries at equal voltage, which can be charged in parallel with up to 135 kWh.

Audi plans to introduce an RS variant, the RS Q6 E-tron, which is is the first confirmed electric crossover from the RS performance family.