We drove the Audi Q6 e-tron: When your twin brother is a Porsche

Estimated Price: Close to NIS 500,000

Competitors: Porsche Macan (half sibling), BMW iX3, Mercedes EQC, Nio EL6

Likes: Refinement and luxury, technology, interior space and comfort, performance in the SQ6

Dislikes: Price, conservative design, a bit large for urban use

Rating: 9/10

"One of our main goals," said engineer Stefan Grünlander, "was to eliminate the heaviness that accompanies the current generation of electric cars." Well, with a 100 kWh battery weighing 590 kilograms, it’s no surprise that reducing the sense of heaviness was necessary. Audi engineers achieved this lightness by developing two powerful motors (387/510 hp), sharp and immediate steering, tight air suspension, and improved stabilizer bars. We’ll soon hit the road to experience what it’s like to be light with a curb weight of 2,350 kilograms.

But before we floor it (or is it electrify it?), let’s spend a few words on the PPE, Volkswagen Group’s new technological pride. The Premium Platform Electric is an innovative 800-volt platform that includes a 100 kWh battery and a WLTP range of up to 625 kilometers. It is designed to save 30% in electricity consumption while improving performance by 33%. This versatile platform is already featured in the updated Porsche Macan and will appear in other Volkswagen Group models in the near future.

Design: At 4.77 meters in length and 1.65 meters in height, the Q6 e-tron is a large and impressive crossover, especially with the 21-inch wheels of the test vehicles. Even if you peel off the brand symbols and labels, you’ll immediately recognize this as an Audi crossover - the front, profile, air intakes, everything speaks in ‘Audi language’ with a modern twist. You won’t find bold and brash curves here; even the car’s front doesn’t look overly electric - conservative customers aren’t looking for modern cries; they want to feel at home with the familiar brand. Above the large air intakes are OLED lighting units that flash and sparkle in various pyrotechnic displays. Impressive to the eye but I’m not sure how necessary it really is.

The Q6’s side is sculpted with strong lines, with black rubber cladding enhancing the rugged look. The electric theme continues at the back with a lighting strip stretching across the car. Practicality is preserved with a 526-liter trunk and an additional 64-liter front trunk. Want to tow the horses to the neighbor’s farm? It has an impressive towing capacity of up to 2,400 kilograms. It’s likely that a Sportback version with a ‘coupé’ silhouette will also arrive in the future.

Passenger Cabin: It’s not significantly different from Audi’s latest interiors, but there is a noticeable leap in display and technology. A 14.5-inch multimedia screen and an 11.9-inch digital instrument panel are displayed side by side behind a panoramic, highly curved glass. These two OLED screens are intended for the driver, who also benefits from an excellent head-up display projected onto the windshield. A third 10.9-inch screen is for the passenger on the right and allows viewing navigation and operating various systems. While driving, the right screen is visible only to the passenger, but once the car stops, the driver can also view the display. The wonders of electronics!

Beyond these high-tech features, the cabin offers very spacious front and rear areas, and Audi’s quality of execution and finishing: premium materials (fabric, leather, or recycled materials, Alcantara in the SQ6). Seat support is excellent, they are powered and include speakers in the headrests for discreet phone calls or navigation instructions. There is ambient lighting and a wealth of gadgets, including a Bang & Olufsen sound system with 20 speakers (which also emits ‘white noise’ to muffle engine and tire sounds), acoustically insulated front windows, and more - in short, if you were looking for ‘premium,’ you’ve arrived.

Engine Performance, Range, and Charging: The Q6 comes in two power versions, both with dual motors. The Q6 offers 387 hp and 87 kg·m of torque with 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, while the sporty SQ6 boasts 510 hp and 4.3 seconds. In the future, a more affordable 326 hp version will be available, with a single rear motor and a range of up to 640 kilometers. In truth, even the regular Q6 was very quick; we had forgotten, but 5.9 seconds to 100 km/h is faster than a modern Golf GTI. Audi didn’t enter the 0-100 battles happening between Chinese and American manufacturers but offered a very strong and fast car that provides a realistic range close to 600 kilometers.

For those who still want to sprint from the traffic light, the SQ6 will achieve the classic acceleration in a hair-raising 4.3 seconds. That’s fast, very fast - in Launch mode, the acceleration is brutally physically unpleasant, and the speed continues deep into the 180 km/h and above, up to 230 km/h. In normal driving, you don’t feel such power, but both Q6 models are very fast and convincing. The ride is quiet and powerful, with immediate mid-range accelerations. Regenerative braking can be controlled using paddle shifters, from free driving to ‘one-pedal’ driving, up to a complete stop.

The Q6 and SQ6 have a 100 kWh (95 net) battery based on 800-volt technology with a rapid charging rate of 270 kW; at a suitable station, 10 minutes of charging will add 255 kilometers to the range. Charging from 10% to 80% takes only 21 minutes, if you can find such a strong station. These figures bring us to the point where ‘range anxiety’ begins to dissipate and stop being a concern.

Comfort and Road Behavior: One expectation from such a vehicle is very high ride comfort. With adaptive air suspension, the Q6 is very comfortable, on fast roads and even on dirt paths where we rolled for a few kilometers (no, no, this is not an off-road vehicle, don’t be mistaken. The 4.5 cm vehicle lift might tempt you into off-road fun, but with sporty tires and no spare wheel, don’t!). At slow speeds, you feel the low profile of the tires, 285/40R21 at the back, 255/40R21 at the front. The Q6 will arrive in Israel only with 20 or 21-inch wheels; in Europe, base models will also be sold with 19-inch wheels, which are more comfortable and practical. The SQ6 is a bit stiffer, a expected result due to its sporty suspension. The Q6 is wider by a few millimeters than the more luxurious Q8; at 194 centimeters wide, it might challenge less experienced drivers, especially in city alleys.

Did the engineers indeed manage to eliminate the sense of heaviness they spoke of at the launch? Yes and no. The car responds quickly and sharply to steering inputs, the powerful motors provide effortless acceleration, the brakes bite well and consistently, a commendable achievement in the electric car world. The Pirelli P-Zero grip is excellent, and body roll is minimal, the Q6 clings to the road, a great and relaxing highway cruiser. Large asphalt bumps do not disrupt its composure, and the feeling of safety is very high.

But no matter what, as balanced and harmonious as the Q6 is, you still feel the 2.3 tons. Reduce the sense of heaviness? Absolutely. Eliminate it? Not yet. The safety specification is rich with autonomous braking, lane-keeping, alerts for entering dead zones, and adaptive cruise control aided by navigation system information. Forward and rear visibility is good, but side mirrors and A-pillars obstruct diagonal forward views.

The Bottom Line: While the Q4 and Q8 are starting to age, the Q6 has arrived with the sophisticated PPE platform, rejuvenating Audi’s crossover lineup. The Q6 may be the middle child between the 4 and 8, but it is more dynamic, economical, and looks modern, and it might convince Audi’s conservative customers to switch from gasoline and diesel to clean electricity. I suspect that with prices starting around NIS 500,000, it won’t flood the streets of Tel Aviv. Most sales will be of the ‘regular’ Q6, which is impressive in itself. Only a handful of customers will invest in the more powerful SQ6, which might serve as a ‘more affordable’ alternative to the Porsche Macan, which shares a similar platform and components.

Technical Details:

• Model: Audi Q6 e-tron (SQ6)

Engine:

• Number of Electric Motors: 2
• Maximum Power:
• Regular: 387 hp
• SQ6: 510 hp
• Maximum Torque: 34.5 kg·m
• Transmission: Automatic, Direct Transmission
• Drive: All-Wheel Drive

Electric:

• Battery Capacity:
• Total: 100 kWh
• Net: 94 kWh
• Slow Charging: 11 kW
• Fast Charging: 270 kW
• Combined Range:
• Regular: 625 km
• SQ6: 565 km

Dimensions:

• Length: 4.77 meters
• Width: 193.1 meters
• Height: 164.8 meters
• Wheelbase: 289.9 meters
• Trunk Capacity: 526 liters + 64 liters (additional)
• Tires:
• Rear: 285/40R21
• Front: 255/40R21
• Curb Weight: 2,350 kg

Performance (Manufacturer):

• 0-100 km/h:
• Regular: 5.9 seconds
• SQ6: 4.3 seconds
• Top Speed:
• Regular: 210 km/h
• SQ6: 230 km/h

Warranty:

• Car: Three years or 100,000 km
• Battery: Eight years or 160,000 km

The author was an Audi guest in Spain.