March 19, the Audi Q6 e-tron made its global debut. The globally debuted models include the Q6 e-tron and the SQ6 e-tron. It has now started reservations in Europe, with prices of 74,700 euros and 93,800 euros, approximately RMB 587,700 and 738,000 respectively. Deliveries will begin in the summer of 2024. It is understood that the Audi Q6 e-tron is built on a brand-new PPE platform and is also the first model built on this new electric vehicle platform by Audi. The platform was jointly developed by Audi and Porsche, and future Porsche electric vehicles will also be born on this platform.
Although it is an electrically powered vehicle of great significance in Audi’s brand history, it is still possible to see the classic design elements of the Audi family. Its front face retains the characteristics of the Audi family, and the grille is retained, mimicking the design of the polygon air inlet of the fuel vehicle. The entire grille is basically the same color as the body. The split front headlight group is integrated with the air inlet, and the lower spoiler and air inlet structure are relatively complex, showing a sporty atmosphere and a stronger visual impact. The daytime running lights on both sides are also very special. After being lit, they have a pattern different from the past and can be constantly changed.
On the side of the body, the design of the double waistline outlines the power of the SUV. The upper part of the waistline is divided into two sections, and the lower part hides the e-tron logo. The entire body has the rounded and dynamic feeling and power of the Audi SUV model. In terms of size, the length, width, and height of the new car are 4771/1993/1648mm, and the wheelbase is 2899mm, positioned as a medium-sized pure electric SUV. At the rear of the vehicle, the D-pillar is slightly tilted forward, and the roof is slightly pressed down to create a smoother posture. Like the front daytime running lights, the OLED taillights at the rear of the vehicle can also change styles, and the taillights are designed in a through-type.
Compared with the currently sold Audi models in China, the Audi Q6 e-tron is more like a product of another era. Its interior design adopts a new layout, which is different from the electric vehicles such as the Audi e-tron and the Audi Q5 e-tron. The Q6 e-tron adopts a new layout, with a 14.5-inch curved multimedia screen, an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit, and a 10.9-inch screen for the co-pilot, forming the screens in the car. It also provides an AR-HUD head-up display system, which can display information such as speed, traffic signs, and navigation. The overall technological atmosphere has been enhanced a lot.
In order not to affect the vision of the dashboard, the buttons on the steering wheel are touch-controlled. The driver’s door is integrated with more buttons, including lights, seat memory, door locks, mirrors, etc., to facilitate the operation of the driver. In addition, it can be clearly felt that the physical buttons have been reduced, which is also a major trend in the design of current electric vehicles. In other design aspects, the Audi Q6 e-tron’s front console armrest area provides two cup holders, a mobile phone charging storage slot, and two USB Type-C charging interfaces. The storage space is relatively good. The new car uses a lever-type shifting mechanism and retains a few shortcuts such as driving mode switching, ESP on/off, volume adjustment, and reverse assist images.
In terms of power, the new car will have two models, 55 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron. The maximum power of the Q6 e-tron motor is 285 kilowatts, with a 0-100km/h acceleration of 5.9 seconds. It is equipped with a four-wheel drive system. In the future, two-wheel drive models will also be launched according to market demand. The maximum power of the SQ6 e-tron motor is 380 kilowatts, with a 0-100km/h acceleration of 4.3 seconds.
The Audi Q6 e-tron will be equipped with a 100kWh battery pack, with a comprehensive range of 625km. Thanks to the 800V technology, the Q6 e-tron can achieve a maximum charging speed of 270 kilowatts, and it only takes 10 minutes to charge 255km. From 10% to 80%, it is approximately controlled within 21 minutes. If a charging station with 400V technology is used for charging, the 800V battery will automatically be divided into two batteries with equal voltages, which can realize parallel charging, and the maximum power can reach 135 kilowatts.
In March 2023, Audi China officially released a production plan for the future. Starting in 2026, Audi will only launch pure electric vehicles for the global market. By 2033, the production of internal combustion engine models will be gradually phased out, and at that time, Audi’s own production bases around the world will be devoted to the production of electric vehicles. According to the plan, in the next three years, Audi will launch 20 models globally, of which 10 will be pure electric vehicles.
Audi FAW is seen as the key to Audi’s expansion of its electric vehicle model lineup in China and even globally.
Audi FAW New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. was established in March 2021, with Audi and Volkswagen holding 60% of the shares and FAW holding 40%. This means that Audi and Volkswagen have the dominant position. In June 2022, Audi FAW’s first PPE factory started construction in Changchun. This is Audi’s first dedicated production base for pure electric vehicles in China. The planned completion time of the project is December 2024. After completion, it will produce three pure electric models, namely the B+SUV e-tron, the B+SAV e-tron, and the C Lim LWB e-tron. These three models correspond to the Q6 e-tron and the Q6 e-tron Sportback two pure electric SUVs, as well as the pure electric sedan A6L e-tron respectively.
As the new energy vehicle market changes its direction, Audi also has to change and transform. Currently, Audi has three joint ventures in China, including FAW-Volkswagen, SAIC Audi, and Audi FAW. Among them, Audi has more dominance in Audi FAW, and the company will focus on the development of new energy vehicles. According to Audi’s new energy strategy, it will invest 35 billion euros before 2025, and its pure electric models will reach 20. Globally, about one-third of the delivered vehicles will come from new energy vehicles; starting in 2026, all new models launched globally by Audi will be pure electric vehicles; by 2033, Audi will gradually phase out the last batch of internal combustion engine models and fully accelerate the transformation of the brand’s electrification.
At the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, Audi will debut the Audi Q6 e-tron. The new car is built on a new PPE electric vehicle platform, which was jointly developed by Audi and Porsche. The Macan EV released by Porsche in January this year is also built on this platform. According to the plan, the Audi Q6 e-tron will be launched in 2025 and the SQ6 e-tron will be imported in 2026. In the future, Audi FAW will also launch the Q6 e-tron Sportback, and Audi’s revival will focus on the faster development of electric vehicles.
