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I step on the brake with my left foot, press the accelerator to the mat with my proper—then, slip off on the left. Motors whirl to life as they whorl out warp-speed ahead thrust. Site visitors cones fly by within the aspect home windows like mailboxes on a rustic street till I let off the pedal and let “B” mode’s regenerative braking lasso this electrical SUV down for a gradual proper flip again into its parking spot.
Even the briefest publicity to Audi’s new electrical SUV, the 2025 Q6 E-Tron, it’s straightforward to see the promise within the first totally conceived, best-executed EV from the model.
Audi nonetheless sells some good-to-great gas-powered SUVs, however the EV companions like this Q6 E-Tron are those that can catapult it into the long run, powerfully.
The Q6 E-Tron marks the primary Audi car on a brand new VW Group structure it developed: PPE, which it shares initially with the Porsche Macan EV. Promised to be Audi’s most effective EV but, it’s mentioned to be a 3rd extra environment friendly and a 3rd extra highly effective on the identical time than its E-Tron SUV predecessor (now the Q8 E-Tron).
With seats for 5 and a footprint like its meant goal, the Tesla Mannequin Y, the Q6 E-Tron additionally pits itself towards Hyundai’s E-GMP trio of the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Genesis GV60, whereas Ford’s Mustang Mach-E additionally components in the identical measurement and battery class. The Audi commits not one of the high quality fumbles of the Tesla (or the Ford: see inside trim), whereas it angles towards the Hyundai trio for know-how and high quality. It’s fancy with out the frippery—and it’s quick with out foibles.
It arrives within the U.S. late in 2024 as a 2025 mannequin. I’ve solely pushed it for very quick distances, however I can see the promise in its new structure, its battery selections, its dual-motor drivetrain, and its high-end suspension.
2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron
2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron
2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron
2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron
What’s the 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron powertrain?
The inspiration of the Q6 E-Tron on this rendition of PPE sits below its 5 seats. It’s a 100-kwh (gross) battery pack that may use as much as 94.4 kwh of that capability. Its 12 modules of 180 prismatic CATL cells, assembled in Ingolstadt into packs which comprise the ground of the Q6, weigh about 1,257 kilos. A ten-module, 83-kwh (gross) model will issue into automobiles made for markets exterior the U.S.
Within the PPE universe, Audi bets on greater battery modules, and fewer of them, to ease manufacturing and to chop supplies use—and subsequently, planet-load. PPE requires fewer battery connectors, whereas it additionally permits higher cooling and warming for the battery with predictive administration, which helps preserve optimum situation.
Audi has chosen to take advantage of the pack’s capability from the outset; it hasn’t reserved some power for future upcharges and upgrades delivered over the air, as Mercedes and different manufacturers have finished. It does sport a vastly extra highly effective computing construction, which leaves ample room for OTA updates in addition to future V2X makes use of.
In comparison with first-gen E-Tron, Inexperienced Automotive Experiences Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2020, Audi reviews the Q6 E-Tron’s battery power density has risen 62 p.c, whereas power consumption has dropped 30% and drive-unit prices have dipped 15 p.c.
Audi farms twin motors for the Q6 E-Tron in Hungary, rated at 140 kw in entrance and 280 kw within the rear. Whole system output hits 422 hp within the core Q6 version, which weighs about 5,150 kilos, however in a higher-draw “enhance” mode, it could ship as much as 456 hp. Audi quotes a 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds with launch management, as I’ve stomped my means by below the fittingly steel-gray sky close to the Munich airport.
The upper-performance mannequin, the SQ6 E-Tron, faucets battery power extra voraciously, to ship 483 hp to all 4 wheels, or as much as 510 hp within the enhance mode. That’s good for a 0-60 mph run in 4.2 seconds, Audi says, whereas the SQ6 may prime out at 143 mph.
No specs have been quoted for essentially the most environment friendly model to return, a single-rear-motor model—or for the highest efficiency version, an RS Q6.
Audi has confirmed the Q6 E-Tron will tow as much as 4,400 kilos, although it gained’t provide a selected off-road mannequin. That’s simply as effectively: with its typical metal suspension or its upgraded air suspension and adaptive dampers (customary on SQ6, an choice on the Q6), this SUV and Audi SUVs as a style have shied away from any hardcore rock-crawling or trail-clambering connotations—particularly those who would have an effect on on-road efficiency.
2025 Audi SQ6 E-Tron
2025 Audi SQ6 E-Tron
2025 Audi SQ6 E-Tron
2025 Audi SQ6 E-Tron
How does the Q6 E-Tron drive?
With simply two laps in a car parking zone gymkhana, we will’t say a lot if something about the best way the Q6 E-Tron drives. Launch mode has the catapult impact that’s meant, although final acceleration is extra in keeping with a Mach-E than a Plaid. With three ranges of paddle-controlled regenerative braking and a one-pedal “B” drive mode that the Q8 E-Tron lacks, the Q6 E-Tron guarantees to mix in its typical brakes higher and later than most programs. Audi believes that’s a extra environment friendly and smoother strategy to ship its most of 0.3g of deceleration in one-pedal mode. That’s greater than the Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2022 Lucid Air generates, and within the Audi, our very quick drive telegraphed some silken transitions between motors and friction brakes, one thing we additionally famous in our 2024 Q8 E-Tron take a look at drive assessment.
How briskly does it cost, and what’s its battery vary?
The EPA hasn’t examined the Q6 E-Tron but, however Audi has dedicated to greater than 300 miles of vary for the bottom Q6 “60” mannequin with twin motors. With an AC cost port on the fitting and a CCS port on the left, the Q6 arrives too quickly for Audi’s transition to the Tesla-style NACS charging interface, although it would transition into it quickly.
The Q6 E-Tron will settle for as much as 270 kw of DC fast-charging and can be capable of prime off its battery pack from 10-80% in as little as 21 minutes. The place doable on lower-output chargers, the Q6’s 800-volt system can separate its pack into twin 400-volt digital packs; the automotive will deliver each to the identical state of cost first, then cost the banks in parallel at as much as 135 kw. Plug & Cost connectivity will probably be fitted from the get-go.
For dwelling charging—which accounts for the overwhelming majority of luxury-priced electrical vehicles—the Q6 E-Tron will be capable of recharge in about 10 hours on a 40-amp 240-volt AC charger.
2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron
2025 Q6 E-Tron: acquainted styling, higher infotainment
The Q6 E-Tron weaves itself tightly into Audi’s present electric-SUV household. The protect at its entrance finish wears its four-ring brand proud atop a set of energetic shutters that give the not-grille texture, even when the body-color base mannequin swaps into grey and black on higher-trim editions. From the aspect the Q6 resembles nothing lower than a Bentley Bentayga, with pronounced brows over 19- to 21-inch wheels rendered in near-flush spokes that talk of a number of aerodynamic consideration. Audi gained’t be capable of provide the trick dynamic LED lighting that it’s going to promote elsewhere: the NHTSA code means its LED signature should stay mounted on American roads, whereas Chinese language and Polish and Irish drivers will be capable of flip by eight totally different lighting arrays on a whim. U.S. drivers will get to decide on a much less formal Sportback roofline, however not within the first mannequin yr.
The Q6 E-Tron exhibits off a brand new inside that wraps across the driver in a cool tech embrace. It empanels an 11.9-inch digital “digital cockpit,” in Audi-speak, that blends mapping, infotainment, and car shows in a fancy present of power. The central 14.5-inch touchscreen splits off navigation and car and infotainment features within the (barely) extra conventional means, wearing pencil-thin fonts and crisply outlined icons. A ten.9-inch passenger display has a digital privateness blind that blocks the motive force from watching a film on the go—however permits it for the entrance passenger. Android Automotive OS kinds the core of the working system, however wi-fi Apple CarPlay comes free of charge, and a tremendously expanded set of acknowledged voice instructions liberates the cabin from the outdated haptic interfaces in favor of voice and contact.
Each nestle in an setting outlined by dogbone-shaped, softly padded sprint and door panels capped by wooden or metallic trim. It’s a clubby place, not relentlessly stark just like the Mannequin Y suite.
At 187.8 inches lengthy, 64.9 inches tall, 78.5 inches huge, and with its 114.1-inch wheelbase, the Q6 E-Tron tangles most instantly with the Mannequin Y, although. Our transient publicity confirmed the enchantment of Audi’s styling selections and of its ordinary excessive grade of seat consolation. And with as much as 53.9 cubic toes of cargo house behind the entrance seats and a 2.2-cubic-foot frunk, the Q6 E-Tron doesn’t come up shy on room.
It leans in with security know-how too, from customary automated emergency braking, to adaptive cruise management, blind-spot screens, and automated excessive beams.
Costs haven’t been confirmed, however an entry sticker of about $70,000 appears a secure wager, with a $90,000 invoice for the SQ6 E-Tron in sight. Neither model will qualify for federal tax credit, nonetheless, for the reason that batteries come from CATL and get put collectively in Germany.
We’re wanting to spend extra time in what’s clearly Audi’s greatest first shot at a brand new EV structure but. Keep tuned: we’ll drive the Q6 E-Tron later this yr, prematurely of its on-sale launch, anticipated by early December 2024.
Audi paid for the journey bills to and in Munich that enabled this firsthand report.
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