The Audi Q6 e-tron is a fully-electric SUV that embodies the philosophy of creating a dialogue between the past and the present. It builds on Audi’s iconic design language and reinvents it for the e-tron age. Underneath its sleek form is the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) chassis, which offers enhanced range, faster charging, advanced in-car tech, and compelling quattro performance.
The design of the Audi Q6 e-tron is a perfect blend of classic SUV proportions and futuristic elements. The PPE platform allowed the designers to experiment with the car’s proportions, resulting in a steep front, short overhangs, a long wheelbase, and an elegant high silhouette roofline. Sascha Hyde, Audi Exterior Design, describes it as a “revolutionary step” that is elegant, dynamic, and sporty.
One of the notable design features of the Audi Q6 e-tron is its closed single-frame grille, which enhances aerodynamics. The grille is inverted and surrounded by a mask that also hides the slim progressive headlights. When activated, the headlights showcase Audi’s transformational active digital OLED technology, which allows for precise high-contrast lights and dynamic graphics. Christoph Häußinger, Light Experience Design, explains that this technology brings out the character and intelligence of the car.
From the side, the Audi Q6 e-tron displays its extended wheelbase and sporty stance. It features a black inlay rocker feature that showcases the battery as the heart of the car while reducing the optical height and volume. This design choice emphasizes the car’s slimness and creates an elegant connection between the sides and the rear.
Charging the battery is quick and easy with the Audi Q6 e-tron’s ultra-rapid 800V electric architecture. It offers charging ports on both sides of the car, allowing for convenient parking in any direction. Christian Steinhorst, Audi Q6 e-tron global product manager, highlights the platform’s charging performance, which enables a customer to charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 21 minutes.
The Audi Q6 e-tron stays true to Audi’s quattro heritage by featuring muscular shoulder haunches above each wheel. These powerful “quattro blisters” highlight the car’s all-wheel drive character and add to its sporty appeal. The car is equipped with an asynchronous motor on the front wheels and a permanent synchronous motor on the rear, providing both efficiency and performance.
The rear of the Audi Q6 e-tron is where it leaves a lasting impression. It features Audi’s second-generation ‘active’ digital OLED lights, which boast three OLED tiles and 360 individual segments. These lights generate high-contrast 3D shapes and complex animations that add character to the car. They also serve safety functions, such as warning other vehicles or cyclists.
Inside the Audi Q6 e-tron, the focus is on creating a spacious and homely feel. The interior design philosophy is human-centric, with a clear architectural form and high-quality materials that envelop the driver and passengers. The car offers smart connected tech, including a large curved panoramic three-screen layout, an augmented-reality head-up display, and a dynamic LED interaction ‘light strip’ that frames the windshield. This digital stage serves as the heart of every interaction with the car.
In terms of technology, the Audi Q6 e-tron features an interaction light bar that communicates charging status and warning signals. It also introduces a digital assistant that allows for voice dialogue with the car. The driver is more connected to the road through the head-up display, while the front passenger can interact with the driver using their dedicated screen.
Overall, the Audi Q6 e-tron is not just a smart-looking car; it also embodies intelligence in its design, driving capabilities, and technology. It is a testament to Audi’s commitment to innovation and creating a seamless transition into the all-electric future.