After Porsche unveiled the all-electric Macan at first of the yr, right here comes Audi with its equal Q6 E-Tron. The newcomer rides on the identical Premium Platform Electrical (PPE) co-developed by the 2 luxurious manufacturers a part of the Volkswagen Group. It’ll do battle with the BMW iX3 coming in 2025 on the devoted Neue Klasse structure.

Whereas BMW will make its future iX3 visually stand out from the present crop of gasoline and diesel crossovers, the Q6 E-Tron is loads like your typical Audi SUV with combustion engines. It follows the technique utilized by the present X3/iX3 lineup however with separate platforms. It appears sensible with its customizable OLED taillights and Audi’s newest developments in matrix LED headlight know-how. We’re getting the impression of a extra upmarket product in comparison with the smaller This autumn E-Tron that shares its DNA with a number of Volkswagen and Skoda fashions that sit on the much less subtle MEB platform.

The newcomer with the 4 Rings is 4771 millimeters (187.8 inches) lengthy, making it 37 mm (1.45 in) longer than the present CLAR-based iX3. The Q6 E-Tron is considerably wider, at 1993 mm (78.84 in), or 102 mm (4 in) greater than its rival from Munich. It sits 20 mm (0.7 in) nearer to the highway by having a peak of 1648 mm (64.8 in). As for the wheelbase, it stretches at 2899 mm (114.3 in) or 35 mm (1.3 in) greater than the iX3’s.

It stays to be seen whether or not the Neue Klasse-based iX3 will likely be greater than at the moment’s mannequin or simply about the identical. Teasers of camouflaged prototypes launched by BMW forward of the world premiere locked in for 2025 have hinted at roughly comparable proportions however absolutely the devoted platform will carry some notable adjustments.

In the meantime, the Audi Q6 E-Tron is a good-looking SUV with a design that performs it secure as a substitute of the hanging look BMW is getting ready for the iX3 – as hinted by the Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse X idea. The inside is full of screens since there’s one on the passenger facet as nicely, measuring 10.9 inches. Standard controls are stored right down to a minimal as you’ll be accessing most features via the middle 14.5-inch touchscreen and the capacitive contact buttons on the steering wheel. The all-digital driver’s show comes as commonplace and measures 11.9 inches.

Due to the devoted EV platform, this can be a sensible SUV for its section. It provides a cargo quantity of 526 liters (18.5 cubic ft) behind the rear seats, or 1,529 liters (53.9 cu ft) after you fold them. Must you want much more baggage space, there’s a entrance trunk that may swallow a further 64 liters (2.2 cu ft). There’s additionally loads of legroom offered by the beneficiant wheelbase and the absence of a central tunnel though we do discover a small hump within the ground.

So far as energy is worried, the bottom Audi Q6 E-Tron packs 382 hp (285 kW) whereas the warmer SQ6 E-Tron rewards you with 510 hp (380 kW). Each have twin motors and all-wheel drive however two cheaper variants with a single motor and rear-wheel drive will observe. Persist with the common Q6 E-Tron and it’ll take 5.9 seconds to achieve 62 mph (100 km/h) whereas the SQ6 E-Tron can do the job in 4.3 seconds. High velocity is proscribed to 130 mph (210 km/h) and 142 mph (230 km/h), respectively.

On the coronary heart of the electrical SUV from Ingolstadt is a brand new lithium-ion battery pack that makes use of prismatic cells as a substitute of the spherical cells BMW intends to make use of on the Neue Klasse iX3. The Q6 E-Tron has a usable power content material of 94.9 kWh, good for 388 miles (625 kilometers) on a single cost. When you’re out of juice, the battery might be charged at as much as 270 kW, during which case you’ll get again 158 miles (255 kilometers) of vary in 10 minutes. Spending 21 minutes at a charging station that helps the utmost energy will replenish the battery from 10% to 80%.

Very like BMW is anticipated to make a sleeker iX4, Audi can be getting ready a Q6 E-Tron Sportback with a coupe-like roofline. Solely the conventionally formed mannequin is being revealed at the moment however the much less sensible spinoff with a swoopy form is probably going not far behind. The BMW iX4 is unlikely to reach earlier than 2027.

The order books are opening this month in Germany the place the usual Q6 E-Tron begins at €74,700 whereas the SQ6 E-Tron is €93,800. The outgoing iX3 retails for €67,300 in its dwelling market. An M Efficiency model is just not supplied by BMW however that would change with the Neue Klasse iX3 and a rumored iX3 M60 mannequin.

Deliveries of the Audi Q6 E-Tron to clients are beginning this summer season.

Supply: Audi