There are multiple brand-new Audis in the making, one of which is an electric premium compact crossover. The model will be named the Q6 e-tron, and we already know most of its secrets. However, our latest encounter with a prototype has revealed more of its exterior design.
Caught almost naked, with only a few strips of camouflage at both ends, the Audi Q6 e-tron is a sleek proposal in the segment. It has split lighting units flanking the closed-off grille and features customizable LED DRLs, as the four-ring brand revealed last year.
Further back, we can see that the roofline slightly arches towards the rear. It has a sweeping beltline, muscular shoulders, a sporty bumper design, a spoiler above the rear windscreen, and full-width taillights. This prototype had a gray paint finish, came with traditional wheels, and looked ready for production.
Although not visible in these fresh scoops, the interior was already revealed last year. It is typical of Audi's modern-day lineup, as it features a familiar layout. It has a flat-bottom steering wheel, a 14.5-inch infotainment system, and an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster behind a single pane of glass, and can be optionally fitted with a 10.6-inch passenger display. A clever head-up display is also on deck, alongside smart routines, a premium audio system, eco-friendly materials, and so on.
Photo: SH Proshots
Anyone slightly familiar with the VW Group's vehicle portfolio could tell you that the Audi Q6 e-tron shares most nuts and bolts with the new Porsche Macan EV. It is based on the same PPE (Premium Platform Electric) construction and will probably feature a 100 kWh battery pack that supports fast charging up to 270 kW. This should give it a 10 to 80% fillup in less than half an hour.
Details surrounding the electric motor(s) will be released in due course. However, it has been reported that it might launch with a dual-motor setup making less than 400 horsepower. If that doesn't sound like plenty, then you may want to wait for the Ingolstadt company to launch the SQ6. The range-topper of the series should put close to 500 horsepower under the driver's right foot, yet the extra oomph will certainly leave its toll on the range that's otherwise expected to be around 370 miles (~600 km) in the most frugal variant.
Audi's Q6 e-tron won't step on the toes of the more premium Porsche Macan EV, which comes with 630 hp (639 ps/470 kW) in the Turbo configuration. This model takes one-tenth over the three-second mark to reach 60 mph (97 kph) and has a 161 mph (259 kph) maximum speed. And it is this one that you should choose if you want impressive performance from your premium compact high-riding electric vehicle. Given the almost-naked look of this prototype, Audi should uncover the Q6 e-tron (and Sportback) perhaps in a few weeks or months.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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