Audi Q6 e-tron: Premium Perfect Electric?

If you’re wondering what PPE stands for, it’s the brand new electrified platform shared by Audi and Porsche. The Q6 is the first Audi model to be based on this technology, following the launch of the Premium Platform Electric with the electric Porsche Macan.

The Audi maxim: ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’.

The 4-wheel drive Q6 features an asynchronous motor on the front axle and a more powerful synchronous motor at the rear. Audi is aiming for efficiency and maximum range, unlike the Macan, which is optimised for performance and has 2 synchronous motors. PPE will be the basis of all future top-of-the-range electric Audis, with engineers having concentrated the best of what is currently being done in power technology: 800V switchover and silicon carbide semi-conductors, ultra-compact oil-cooled motors, prismatic cells for the 100kWh battery, and so on. Audi is boasting a 30% increase in power while reducing fuel consumption by the same amount compared with the previous platform. It also offers a high degree of modularity in terms of engine, power and battery size combinations.

Volume and refinement

Two 4-wheel drive versions will be available from launch this summer, including the SQ6 version with a total power output of 380 kW (boosted) that propels the sporty SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds.

The Q6 e-tron fills the niche between the Q4 and the Q8 and is resolutely premium. The electric platform offers a wheelbase of 2.9m, which benefits the passenger compartment and gives the impression that the vehicle is larger on the inside than it appears on the outside. The exterior design is both elegant and assertive. Fitted with slender light bars at the front and rear, it certainly plays at hiding its imposing proportions and sets itself apart from certain competitors who impose a distinctive style on their electric vehicles. The rear boot volume of 526 litres (1529 litres with the bench seat folded down) is another positive effect of the compact powertrain.

positive effect of the compact powertrain. A ‘frunk’ under the front bonnet offers an additional 64 litres, enough to stow the charging cable and other accessories, for example.

Inside, the ambience is typically Audi: sober, functional and qualitative. The seats are firm but excellent, with those of the SQ6 offering extra lateral support. The dashboard with its large curved screen envelops the driver, while the passenger is entitled to his own screen, which is invisible to the driver, allowing him to watch videos while driving, for example.

Our test vehicles, fitted with acoustic glazing, were extremely quiet – an environment that forgives no fault of the finish, judging by the impeccable build quality!

A concentrate of technology

The engineers didn’t just let themselves go with the electric propulsion: the vehicle is also packed with gadgets of varying degrees of usefulness. Of particular note is the excellent head-up display (optional), which projects augmented reality information into the driver’s field of vision. It impresses with the quality and fluidity of the projection of information into the real world. Fortunately, the choice of information on offer is configurable to avoid being overwhelmed. The infotainment system includes an artificial intelligence assistant with a direct link to ChatGPT. Of course, the vehicle also has a full range of driving aids, depending on the level of equipment. Audi has equipped the Q6 with extremely sophisticated front and rear LED lighting which, in addition to offering matrix adaptive high beam, is used to personalise the light signature with programmable animations – geeks will love it.

A great tourer

Audi gave us the opportunity to test the Q6 and SQ6 on a wide variety of roads between the mountains and the sea of the Basque country, from rough tracks to motorways. The weather was just as varied, putting the chassis and traction to the test. Both versions fared brilliantly, and it should be said that they were equipped with the optional pilot-controlled air suspension, which effectively smoothes out road imperfections while offering different driving modes. In dynamic mode, the rearward torque distribution and damping control make you forget the weight and size of the vehicle, and above all the SQ6 shines with a precise and incisive front end. It’s worth mentioning that all this takes place in a particularly well-polished acoustic environment. A great tourer, to be sure, but what about range? Audi claims WLTP ranges of up to 638 km (for the rear-wheel drive ‘performance’ version). All are equipped with the same 94.9 kWh battery (net), so the more powerful versions will go a little further. In our test, which was admittedly subjective, we would have reached 450 km. With a fast-charging performance of 270kW and 21 minutes given for the 10-80% charge, this still allows you to travel without too many constraints.

Premium Perfect then?

In the family SUV segment, the Q6 e-tron sets the bar very high: its road performance, perceived quality and state-of-the-art equipment make it a serious contender in the premium category. With prices starting at €66,000 for the rear-wheel drive version, €74,000 for the Q6 quattro and €93,600 for the SQ6, this is also reflected in the wallet.

Plus points:

• Acoustic comfort
• Technological equipment
• Road holding

Minuses

• Air suspension only available as an option
• Real range
• Complexity of system settings

By Claude Poull