Audi Q6 e-tron

Audi Q6 e-tron will be available with different motors, batteries, technology, design options, and a range of up to 600km(372 mi).

The Audi Q6 e-tron will have a world premiere in 2023 and will be the fifth all-electric model from Audi and the most sporty SUV.

Audi builds the Q6 e-tron on the new PPE platform created together with Porsche. The first customers can expect to receive the Audi Q6 e-tron in Q1/Q2 2024 as a 2025 model.

The model will come in different versions with different battery capacities, and in size, it will be between the Audi Q4 e-tron and Audi Q8 e-tron.

This article summarizes what we know and expect from the new model. If you want to keep yourself updated on this model, join our Audi Q6 e-tron Facebook group to keep yourself updated.

Exterior

The Audi Q6 e-tron will be available in SUV and Sportback designs, just like the Audi Q4 e-tron and Audi Q8 e-tron. In addition, it will have a large set of available colors, and you can order it with Audi-exclusive colors.

Black optics and black optics plus packages will be options. Same with tinted windows and a panoramic roof.

There will be wheel options from 19 to 22 inches.

Interior

The Audi Q6 e-tron will be available with different seat options. From standard seats, sports seats, and comfort seats. Some with the possibility of ventilation and massage. It will also be available with an animal-free interior and a full leather interior with different colors. An s-line interior will also be an option.

Drivetrain

Battery & Range

The battery in the Q6 e-tron consists of twelve or ten modules with prismatic cells. The nickel, cobalt, and manganese ratio is 8:1:1, and the battery achieves a higher energy density. The cell technology is similar to the new battery on the Audi Q8 e-tron 55.

We expect the battery with the launch to have the following specifications

• Twelve modules/384 cells with 101.3 kWh gross (97 kWh net)
• Ten modules/320 cells with 84.4kWh gross (80.8 kWh net).

These batteries will give the Audi Q6 e-tron a WLTP range of approximately 485-600km, depending on the trim level for the largest battery. (16.2 - 20 kWh/100km) Thanks to 800-volt technology, the Q6 e-tron can be charged with a charging capacity of more than 270kW.

You can charge the battery from five to 80 percent in less than 25 minutes on an 800-volt 350KW charger.

If the station uses 400-volt technology, the Q6 e-tron uses ‘bank charging’ for the first time, whereby corresponding high-voltage switches (gates) are automatically switched in the battery before the actual charging process begins. This technology effectively splits the 800-volt battery into two batteries with a nominal voltage of 400 volts each that can charge in parallel on one 400-volt charging station without an additional HV booster. The states of charge of the two battery halves are first aligned. This functionality will only be available on the 100kWh battery.

Motor and performance

Electrichasgoneaudi.net expects the Audi Q6 e-tron to come in different performance versions.

• 2-wheel drive (Audi Q6 e-tron 45?)
• quattro drive (Audi Q6 e-tron 55?)
• Audi SQ6 e-tron
• Audi RSQ6 e-tron with 450kW and +1000nm

Audi will use different motor setups on the om the variants.

Audi uses permanently excited synchronous electric motors (PSM) with hairpin winding on the PPE platform.

Permanent magnets are fitted on the AC motor’s rotor, generating a permanent magnetic field. As a result, compared to asynchronous motors (ASM), PSMs offer higher power and torque densities, greater efficiency, and better reproducibility of the power output.

For the top variants SQ6 e-tron and RSQ6 e-tron, the engineers are creating a dynamic, sporty driving experience with a fully variable electronically controlled rear differential and a so-called ‘Performance rear axle.’ Added to this is a powerful electric motor positioned behind the rear axle. This setup enables a rear-dominant all-wheel application across a wide spectrum. Moreover, in combination with the dynamic torque distribution in the all-wheel drive, it also supports high agility when accelerating out of corners.

Audi will use only the latest-generation PSM motors that have several improvements. Audi has optimized the water jacket cooling to maximize the power density and used double V lamination on magnets.

The development of power electronics has also taken a big step forward. Silicon carbide (SiC) is used instead of silicon as the pulse inverter (PWR) semiconductor material on the rear axle. This technology significantly reduces switching losses in the PWR, enables higher switching frequencies, and improves efficiency.

Suspension and steering

The Audi Q6 e-tron will have new shock absorbers. As standard, they come with steel springs or optional air suspension.

The two-valve shock absorbers will be a new feature in the Audi Q6 e-tron. On the one hand, they offer improved performance due to a significantly greater damper characteristic spread. On the other, two-valve shock absorbers can be adjusted independently, providing an appreciable increase in comfort. This versatility makes the differences between the driving programs even more tangible, putting each driving program in the future Q6 e-tron on its distinct level.

The Audi Drive Select is combined with air suspension and with steel suspension. The system reacts to the condition of the road but also the speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, accelerator pedal modulation, steering behavior, and the position level of the car.

With air suspension, depending on the speed, the body can be lowered in combination with the air suspension, improving the aerodynamics for an increased range.

The wheel widths on the front and rear axles will differ significantly to accommodate the rear-focused weight distribution – for more grip and driving dynamics. In addition, wheel sizes of up to 22 inches will provide further performance potential.

The Audi Drive Select is combined with the air suspension in the all-electric Q6 but may also be combined with the steel suspension. The system reacts to the condition of the road but also the speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, accelerator pedal modulation, steering behavior, and the position level of the car.

The Q6 e-tron has a completely revised double wishbone axle with a detached strut level at the front. Its kinematics and elastokinematics enable improved responsiveness, steering precision, and straight-line driving. In addition, the multi-link axle at the rear is connected to the body via an elastically mounted sub-frame, while the rear electric drive unit is fastened directly to the structure at four points – a special feature of the Performance styling at the rear. This design positively affects the driving dynamics with precise wheel guidance, high transverse rigidity, and NVH behavior (NVH = Noise, Vibration, Harshness).

The top versions will have an electronically controlled differential lock on the rear axle. This control strategy is independent of the respective driving situation and ensures greater traction, driving stability, and transverse dynamics. In addition, targeted, dynamic braking interventions on the rear axle support the steering behavior and precision.

Audi Q6 e-tron will also be available with rear-axle steering. This reduces the turn circle.

Technology

UI & MMI

Audi has confirmed that the Audi Q6 e-tron will be the first car with the new generation MMI. For this new MMI system, Audi will use Android Automotive.

Transport capacity

Electrichasgoneaudi.net expects the Audi Q6 e-tron to have a luggage compartment of about 550-600 liters. It will also be available with a towbar, and the maximum capacity is 2000-2500kg. It will also be able to use a roof box with a maximum load on the roof of 75kg.

Options

Audi Q6 will be available with several options.

• S-line exterior
• Black optics
• Different wheels
• Different seats, including seats with massage and ventilation
• Different driver assistant systems

Audi plans to reduce the number of combinations of options. So instead of most options being offered separately, like on the Audi Q8 e-tron, they will introduce options packages.

Prototype testing

See below for video and images of the Q6 e-tron test-driving in winter.