Audi
Audi does n’t get enough reference for buzz off lavishness motorcar emptor comfortable with EVs . While Tesla have care of the mental image - witting types , the German brand name unveil itse - tron electric SUVin 2018 with the tagline “ electric has proceed Audi ” in Leslie Townes Hope of getting fast customers excited about ( or , at least , acclimated to ) electrical motorcar by pitching the e - tron as an Audi first and an EV second .
The e - tron was n’t a one - off , either . It ’s sinceevolved into the Q8 e - tronand has been get together by the flashy e - tron GT and entry - degree Q4 e - tron . So , while some automobile brands are only just introducing their first electric fashion model , Audi is quick for round two .
Audi
The 2025 Audi Q6 e - tron is a true second - propagation EV , schedule to arrive at dealerships later this twelvemonth . Slotting between the Q4 e - tron and Q8 e - tron in sizing , this Modern electric SUV result both behind when it comes to technical sophistication .
PPE is the key
The Q6 e - tron is the first Audi ground on the Premium Platform Electric ( PPE ) , which was co - develop with fellow Volkswagen Group stain Porsche , whose launch mannikin for the political platform will be the Macan Electric .
“ Platform ” is a nebulous full term . It ’s in the main understood to be the canonic structure of a automobile , but in the example of PPE , “ program ” means not only that social system but also many of the major components attached to it . AN EV - specific political program , PPE enables a bit of key computer hardware climb compared to other Audi EVs , let in 800 - V charging , a new electric architecture that enables more software - based features , a new battery - pack concept that Audi claims will improve cooking stove compared to current electron volt , and more top executive - dense campaign units .
Audi has done quite a little of experiment with platforms for its eV . Its first EV , the eastward - tron ( now Q8 e - tron ) use the same MLB Evo political program as combustion - engine vehicleslike the Audi Q8 . The Q4 e - tron portion the MEB - give EV platform with Volkswagen - branded EVs like theID.4andID.7 . The atomic number 99 - tron GT is found on the same J1 weapons platform as the Porsche Taycan . But Audi thinks PPE is the future .
More efficient motors
Audi ’s philosophy with PPE is all about methodically combing over individual components for efficiency and carrying into action gain rather than making dramatic changes to the overall vehicle conception .
Like many other eV , for instance , the Q6 e - tron has a dual - motor all - wheel ride powertrain , with each motor in a ego - contained parkway unit powering each axle . But Audi has made the movement units more compact . Weighing 192.9 hammering and 261.1 lbf. , severally , the front and rear campaign units have 62 % cracking top executive denseness than the first - multiplication cause units from the e - tron — entail they get more power per pound — with 30 % lower energy consumption .
Audi combed over case-by-case components for efficiency and carrying out gains .
As withthe Q4 e - tron , Audi chose an asynchronous motor for the front and a for good frantic synchronous motor for the keister . The rear motor does most of the oeuvre , so Audi chose the more efficient , permanently excited type for this job . According to the auto maker , an asynchronous motor is cheaper , so it was relegated to the front axle , which only gets exponent when the number one wood really opens the throttle .
Together , the two motors produce a unwavering 422 horsepower and a elevation 456 hp with launching controller ( Audi is n’t revealing torque flesh ) , which gets the Q6 einsteinium - tron from zero to 60 mph in 5.0 sec with launching control , Audi estimates . A more herculean SQ6 tocopherol - tron will also be uncommitted , tuned for a default 483 hp or 510 hp with launch ascendence — more than the three - motor Audi SQ8 e - tron . Audi expects the SQ6 to match that theoretical account ’s 4.2 - second zero to 60 mph time . Top speeds are 130 mph for the Q6 e - tron and 143 mph for the SQ6 vitamin E - tron .
Big battery, fast charging
Audi claims the Q6 e - tron will have a more effective assault and battery pack design , with a 15 % free weight simplification compare to old packs , plus cells and modules with greater vim - storage content within the same volume . Audi is still using prismatic assault and battery cell rather than the cylindric cellular telephone preferred byTesla and Lucid , though . The pack is also a pretty large 100 kilowatt - hours ( with 94.9 kWh of usable capacity ) , so Audi ’s target of over 300 Admiralty mile of reach seems like a bare lower limit .
With an 800 - volt organisation like thee - tron GT ’s , the Q6 e - tron can DC fast charge at up to 270 kW and maintain that maximal big businessman level for a relatively long period of metre . It can also charge the two halves of the pack in parallel at 135 kW at low - power stations to get the truehearted charge possible . Under ideal conditions , that ’s 10 % to 80 % in 21 minutes , according to Audi . When using the build up - in navigation system , the Q6 e - tron will also mechanically heat or cool down its electric battery pack on the way to a charge post to ensure the ideal temperature for charge .
While the automaker is adoptingTesla ’s North American Charging Standard(NACS ) , that ’s not schedule to materialize until after the Q6 e - tron ’s launch , so the first cars will embark with Combined Charging Standard ( CCS ) port wine like other current Audi EVs .
Infotainment gets predictable updates
The Q6 e - tron also debuts a new incarnation of Audi ’s Multimedia Interface ( MMI ) infotainment system of rules that ’s backed by a new electric architecture dub E3 1.2 and features the most elaborated screen setup in an Audi to date . An 11.9 - column inch digital instrument cluster and 14.5 - column inch touchscreen are array in a winglike establishment in front of the driver , with a 10.9 - inch front - passenger screen and an augmented - realism headland - up presentation thrown in for good measure .
The various screens have keen but plain computer graphic and , in the paradigm vehicle we had access to , warm responses . That ’s ripe because Audi has take to rely mostly on touchscreens and representative realization , keeping clit and knobs to a minimum . While the passenger can access important procedure like radio and piloting from their own screen , the main touchscreen is also well approachable despite being tilted toward the driver .
The Q6 e - tron has the most elaborate screen apparatus in an Audi to engagement .
The operating organization is Android - based but does n’t use Google apps like scheme fromVolvo , Polestar , orGeneral Motors . Audi still provides its own aboriginal representative recognition . WirelessApple CarPlayandAndroid Auto , as well as Amazon Alexa connectivity , are supported as well .
What the Android atomic number 76 does enable is third - party apps for things like entanglement browsing , video cyclosis , and gaming , similar to the newFord Digital Experience system . Front passengers can even watch video on their own screen while the car is moving ( a filter blocks the gadget driver ’s view ) . Like Ford , Audi also expect to offer a wide variety show of third - party apps over metre and will develop unexampled features that can be added via over - the - air ( OTA ) update . The automaker claims that process will be faster thanks to the E3 1.2 architecture ’s integration of in - railroad car computer science into five primary modules .
Evolutionary design shows off high-tech lights
The Q6 e - tron looks like a younger , fitter version of the Q8 eastward - tron . Despite its classical SUV proportion , it does n’t take care bulky thanks to ocular tricks like pronounced flexure above the buffer , which are mean to cite theclassic Audi Quattro’sboxed cowcatcher flash and blacked - out lower trimness . The black - out incision also comprise usable constituent like the front zephyr inlet , rear diffuser , and the assault and battery pack , which is silhouetted by the scummy door trimming .
The Q6 e - tron take care like a young , fitter version of the Q8 e - tron .
Less original are the obligatory massive grille and stack headlights , which postdate a format vulgarize by the Jeep Cherokee and Hyundai Kona , albeit with much more sophisticated technical school . The Q6 e - tron gets Audi ’s latest digital light system , with programmable daytime running lights and taillights comprised of 122 and 360 individual OLED elements , respectively .
In addition to giving the lights a coolheaded pixelated face , the system lets drivers programme eight unlike radiation diagram for the daytime running lights . Outside the U.S. , the taillights have an reanimate effect and can contrive a little triangle when the hazard spark are turn or when occupants are about to exit the fomite . U.S. regulations will likely prevent features like that .
First impressions
Digital Trends had the opportunity to take a few poor laps on a exam raceway in a epitome Q6 e - tron . This abbreviated first impression did n’t reveal anything truly remarkable . Competent handling could n’t fully mask this electrical SUV ’s considerable weight , and acceleration was impressive but not fierce .
Audi ’s rivalsBMWandMercedes - Benzhave struggled to project braking systems that immix regenerative braking and friction brakes to provide ordered deceleration and feel while using both shape of braking . The Q6 e - tron had no such issuance ; the pasture brake treadle felt the same regardless of how the car was brake . Audi also lets driver toggle the level of positive feedback from virtually zero up to full one - pedal point drive — the EV signature tune feature that let drivers see to it focal ratio without touching the brake pedal .
Well - tune up braking system aside , the many changes Audi has made to its EV hardware likely require more than a few laps of a closed course to make themselves known . Still , the image made a sound first impression , so we ’re eager to get more seat time to bump out what Audi ’s modish EV feel like on the road .
