Background
Two cars. One platform. One shared package of engineering. Yet in perceived appeal, the Audi Q6 e-tron and the Porsche Macan Electric could hardly be further apart. Here though, is the model that narrows the gap between these two VW Group mid-sized premium electric SUVs; the Q6 Sportback e-tron.
If you know anything about modern Audis, you'll know the formula here; same car, swoopier swept-back body shape. We've already seen it with Sportback versions of the combustion Q5 and the electric Q8 e-tron. Provision of this sportier body shape though for the Q6 e-tron might just be more significant. Let's take a closer look.
Driving Experience
There are of course no handling or drivetrain differences with this Sportback variant. So, as with the SUV, the line-up kicks off with two rear-driven models. One is an entry-level variant using a smaller 83kWh battery (75.8kWh of it usable), which goes 334 miles between charges. It puts out 252PS (or 292PS with launch control) and makes 62mph in 7.0s. The other version, badged 'performance', uses a larger 100kWh battery (94.9kWh of it usable) and offers the longest drive range in the line-up - 402 miles (10 miles more than the equivalent SUV version). It puts out 306PS (or 326PS with launch control) and makes 62mph in 6.6s. Beyond that is the quattro 4WD version, also with the 100kWh battery, which manages 390 miles of range. It puts out 388PS and makes 62mph in 5.9s.
Much the same powertrain also features in the top SQ6 Sportback e-tron, but here the motors are tuned to deliver 490PS (or as much as 517PS with launch control engaged). Which takes the car to 62mph in just 4.3s en route 143mph. Range from the same battery falls only slightly to 367 miles (due to wider tyres). If that's still not fast enough, talk to your dealer about the forthcoming RS Q6 Sportback e-tron model, expected to produce over 600PS.
The dual motor powertrain in the quattro and SQ6 Sportback e-tron AWD variants features a rear-based torque distribution system; and different front and rear motor sizes mean that different amounts of power can be sent to each axle as required.
Design and Build
This more rakish take on what Q6 e-tron should be is said to have been inspired by the rear roof line of a MK1 Audi TT - and if you squint hard enough, you might even see that. The overall dimensions haven't changed, but the profile shape certainly has, with a 37mm-lower roof line and a sloping rear end. The Ingolstadt maker says it's also thinned the windows, which it claims is supposed to emphasise the flared Audi Quattro-inspired wheel arches. There's also a lower ride height, which combines with the sleeker bodywork to reduce the drag coefficient from 0.28 to 0.26Cd.
Inside up-front of course, this Sportback is the same as the ordinary Q6 e-tron. A 'softwrap' design extends from the doors around a main dashboard sculpted in a 'digital stage' shape supposed to resemble the Singleframe grille. As part of this, an 11.9-inch digital instrument display blends into a 14.5-inch curved control infotainment touchscreen. Customers can also specify a further 10.9-inch display ahead of the front seat passenger, which has tech to prevent the driver being distracted by it while the car is moving.
What will grab your attention at the wheel is the useful dynamic interaction light at the base of the screen, which flashes in different colours to display information and warnings. There's a new generation AI-augmented voice assistant which can now control over 800 features. And a very minimalist-style design vibe which reduces physical dashboard buttons to an absolute minimum. Even those you get on the wheel are of the touch panel sort.
As with some of the brand's other Sportback models, Audi's managed to deliver the sleeker roof line without too much impact on rear seat headroom, though this is slightly compromised. More of a compromise though, comes with boot space, which falls from 526-litres with the standard version to 511-litres. As with the SUV, this is supplemented by a 64-litre under-bonnet 'frunk' space.
Market and Model
There's a substantial £2,500 over the standard Q6 e-tron, so you're really going to have to value the swoopier looks of this Sportback body shape. From launch, prices started from £62,475. There are the same three mainstream trim option choices as with the standard SUV - 'Sport', 'S line' and 'Edition 1'. As with the SUV, you choose between a base model with the smaller 83kWh battery and a 'performance' version with the larger 100kWh battery, also used by the 4WD quattro model. At the top of the range is the SQ6 Sportback e-tron quattro, which in top 'Edition 1' form costs around £95,000.
All Q6 e-trons provide plenty of technology, thanks in part to this car's newly developed 'electronic architecture E3' tech, which allows customers to experience digitalisation in the vehicle more directly than an Audi ever has before. The E3 system controls all vehicle functions - from infotainment and driving features through to semi-automated driving. One example is the car's Augmented Reality Head-Up Display; the far virtual distance of its image creates the impression that the elements shown are floating up to 200 metres away. Virtual content is thus seamlessly integrated into reality. This can also show the avatar for the self-learning Audi voice assistant, which can be used to control numerous vehicle functions which understands more than 800 voice commands.
The infotainment system uses Android Automotive OS as its operating system for the first time, has over-the-air updates, the latest Audi connect services and a 'Store' section that gives customers access to a wide range of apps. And you can have a 22-speaker 830-watt Bang & Olufsen Premium sound system with four speakers built into the front seat headrests, enabling cabin sound zones to be delineated.
Obviously, there's loads of drive assist tech too. A 'Parking system plus' set-up with a 360-degree display, swerve assist and turn assist, a top-view camera, a traffic-sign-based speed limiter, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking in front and rear, camera-based traffic sign recognition, intersection assist, lane departure warning, a lane change assistant, an exit warning system, rear cross traffic assist, rear turn assist, and advanced driver attention and fatigue monitor systems are all on board as standard.
Cost of Ownership
It's unlikely that you're going to be choosing this more expensive Sportback body shape purely on the basis of its extended driving range but nevertheless, being able to go around 10 miles further than you would be able to between charges in an ordinary Q6 e-tron SUV is capability worth having. We gave you the range figures in our 'Driving' section - 334 miles for the standard version, 402 miles for the 'performance' model, 390 miles for the quattro and 367 miles for the SQ6.
Audi reckons its electric motors are among the most efficient in the industry. In this car, the brand uses asynchronous motors in the front axle and permanent synchronous motors on the rear, these units featuring dry sump oil cooling for better efficiency and management of heat. The company reckons these motors offer 62% more power density and 33% greater performance than the earlier generation units fitted to the Q8 e-tron. This Q6's standard inclusion of a heat pump will preserve driving range in very cold conditions. Audi says in this case it adds around 19 miles of extra range in really cold temperatures.
On to charging, for which, helpfully, the car provides ports on both sides, though only one port can accept the fastest DC charging rate. The main news with this Q6 design is the switch to an 800V architecture with the PPE platform. This means that your Q6 can be charged at up to 270kW if you can find the right ultra rapid charger. Apparently, 158 miles of range can be added in as little as 10 minutes. It also means this Q6 can benefit from so-called 'bank charging': that means that at feebler public chargers (of up to 135kW) that can't handle the PPE platform's 800V power, this Audi will split the battery in two and run each half at 400V, optimising battery replenishment speed and efficiency, so charging will still be super-quick.