Audi has wrestled with difficulties in recent years, particularly in meeting the demands of customers. The Q4 e-tron’s popularity partly contributed to this, and supply issues following the COVID-19 crisis deepened the predicament, leaving many customers waiting excessively for their new vehicles, with some choosing alternative brands out of frustration.
Fortunately, these setbacks are now resolved and the company assures that delivery times have returned to standard. This assurance is especially significant as the company launches the new Q6 e-tron in Ireland, a design underpinned by the VW Group’s innovative PPE electric car framework and indicating a significant model rollout in the subsequent two years.
While the Q6 may be mistaken for another upper-range crossover and shares resemblances with various other Audi models, it signifies the dawn of a novel era of electric vehicles, not only for Audi, but more widely within Volkswagen Group’s luxury division.
The PPE platform is pivotal for a series of forthcoming models, not exclusively for Audi but also for affiliate brands such as Porsche and Bentley. First unveiled in 2019 for larger electric vehicles, it’s finally making its public appearance on the Q6 e-tron, promising to deliver up to 635km on a full charge. Additionally, with the ability to charge at 270kW, Audi promises up to 250km of range in a mere 10 minutes. Two battery sizes will be offered for the Q6: a base model featuring 78kWh of usable battery power and a tested range of 520km, or a 95kWh model with a 635km range for the rear-wheel version or 622km for the all-wheel Quattro variant.
This new assembly includes 12 battery modules, in contrast to the 36 on the Q8 e-tron, leading to a lighter and more compact pack. However, the significance of PPE is not confined to battery innovation; it’s fundamentally about harnessing software and computational power to enable quicker updates and speedier upgrades, fostering fast-paced model evolution.
Though the design is undeniably Audi in flavour, clever lines and curves give the Q6 an athletic look often attributed to brands like Porsche.
Despite its considerable external size typical of many electric vehicle crossovers, the Q6’s interior dimensions don’t quite live up to its grand exterior. The expansive front seating area providing abundant legroom, and the extended boot capable of holding up to 526 litres with the rear seats in place, or an impressive 1,529 litres with them folded, will undoubtedly appeal to families and golfing enthusiasts alike.
However, the Q6 suffers in terms of adequate rear legroom. While three adults can fit comfortably, given the vehicle’s length of 4.8m (approximately 15.7ft) – comparable to the Skoda Superb – the legroom feels somewhat lacking. The dilemma faced by the designers was clear: either compromise on the generous boot space to offer additional rear legroom, which in turn would necessitate modifications to the roofline or reduction in rear headroom.
The vehicle’s interior stays true to the high-quality Audi tradition. The four-ringed brand has long been considered a frontrunner in luxury cabin design, recently tested by its German competitors. With the Q6, Audi is determined to reclaim the leader’s title.
The vehicle joins the trend of utilizing broad single screens as the focal feature, with an 11.9-inch digitalised display dominating the front panel. This display serves an array of functions, including virtual cockpit controls and the optional passenger screen. The latter, concealed from the driver, allows passengers to use YouTube or other apps, though its role is somewhat redundant given the rise of smartphones and tablets.
The noteworthy feature remains the augmented reality heads-up display, which presents information and alerts directly in the driver’s sightline without intruding on their view. Audi anticipates that additional third-party apps will significantly enhance the functionality of this display, particularly during stationary periods at public charging points.
Comfort is the standout characteristic when driving the Q6, offering a smooth journey above all else. The Quattro model boasts speed, accelerating from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.9 seconds, although the car truly comes into its own when in its “Balanced” driving mode as opposed to “Sport”, considering it’s more of a comfortable cruiser than a sporty crossover intended for speeding along country lanes.
The Q6, launched by Audi, has a starting price of €75,600 for the 78kWh rear-wheel-drive model. The 95kWh Performance model is priced at €81,000 and the Quattro model sits at €87,600. The mid-range Performance model is predicted to be the most popular choice and is on sale now, with the base model to be released in October and the Quattro due for January delivery.
As Audi bounces back from supply disruptions, it is poised to reclaim its standing among premium EV users, ahead of launching the A6, A4, and A5 successors later this year, then the Q3 and Q5 next year. Having the Q6 on the market seems like a promising step for the brand, signalling an important era.