THE long-awaited Audi Q6 and SQ6 e-tron SUVs have begun their arrival into Australian dealerships, introducing what’s arguably one of many model’s most essential native fashions when it comes to total gross sales.
Constructed upon the identical 800-volt Premium Platform Electrical (PPE) platform because the Porsche Macan E, the Audi Q6 e-tron vary is priced from $115,000 plus on-road prices.
It’s going to take the battle to rivals together with not solely the Macan E, but in addition the BMW iX3, Lexus RZ 450e, Mercedes-Benz EQC, and Polestar 3.
All Australian variants share a excessive degree of specification and efficiency, in addition to a typical battery.
The 94.9kWh (internet) battery pack can present as much as 568km driving vary and settle for cost at as much as 270kW (DC), permitting a 10-80 per cent recharge in 21 minutes.
Three grades might be provided initially – the rear-wheel drive Q6 e-tron Efficiency ($115,000), all-wheel drive Q6 e-tron quattro ($122,500), and the sporty SQ6 e-tron quattro ($151,400).
For the Q6 e-tron Efficiency we discover an output of 225kW/485Nm permitting a 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds and high pace of 210km/h. Driving vary is listed at 558km based mostly on the WLTP cycle.
The mid-tier Q6 e-tron quattro ups the ante with 285kW/580Nm output determine, 5.9 second 0-100km/h time, and an identical 210km/h high pace. Driving vary drops marginally to 542km, once more based mostly on WLTP calculations.
Lastly, for the flagship SQ6 e-tron quattro, we discover an output determine of 360kW/580Nm, 0-100km/h time of 4.4 seconds, v-max of 230km/h, and a driving vary citation of 568km – the very best of all three attributed to the mannequin’s adaptive journey top improved aerodynamics.
Characteristic highlights of the ‘entry’ grade embrace 19-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, towing preparation, keyless entry and begin, tri-zone local weather management, a heated steering wheel, heated entrance and outboard rear seats, powered entrance seats with driver-side reminiscence, and a powered tailgate with gesture management.
The Q6 e-tron Efficiency additional gives an 11.9-inch digital instrument panel, 14.5-inch infotainment array, and 10.9-inch passenger display screen, 360-degree digital camera system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wi-fi smartphone charging pad, and DAB+ digital radio reception.
Security applied sciences are plentiful, with highlights together with adaptive cruise management, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot warning, exit warning, lane departure warning, park help, rear cross-traffic alert, and pace signal recognition to call however a number of.
The Q6 e-tron quattro provides Audi’s S line exterior and inside styling packages, 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, flat top- and backside steering wheel, black inside headlining, aluminium pedals, and illuminated entrance aluminium door sill covers with S emblem.
Lastly, for the SQ6 e-tron quattro, and incremental to these options listed above, we discover metallic paint, adaptive air suspension, 21-inch Audi Sport alloys, rear privateness glass, red-painted brake callipers, OLED tail-lights, and a panoramic sunroof.
Inside, we discover an electrically adjustable steering column, augmented actuality head-up show, B&O premium sound, colored ambient cabin lighting, and S sport seats with Nappa leather-based and therapeutic massage perform (entrance).
In customising the Q6 e-tron duo, patrons might possibility the Tech Professional pack with adaptive air suspension, electrically adjustable steering column, and digital OLED taillights for $4900; or the Premium pack with panoramic sunroof, augmented actuality head-up show, B&O premium sound, high-capacity USB charging ports, and acoustic entrance window glazing for $8900.
The Q6 e-tron Efficiency is additional accessible with a Type pack including S line exterior, 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, black exterior garnishing, and rear privateness glass for $5000; whereas the Q6 e-tron quattro is obtainable optionally with a Type pack that provides 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, black exterior garnishing, and rear privateness glass for $3600.
Towards the tape, the five-seat Audi Q6 e-tron measures 4771mm in size, 1939mm in width, 1648mm in top, and 2899mm between the entrance and rear axle centres. It could maintain 526 litres of cargo within the rear and an additional 64 litres up entrance.
All variants carry a tyre restore equipment in lieu of a spare wheel.
As with all Audi automobiles, the Q6 e-tron vary is backed by a five-year/limitless kilometre guarantee with eight-year/160,000km protection on the high-voltage battery pack.
Roadside help is included at some stage in the guarantee interval.
On the time of publication, service intervals and pricing had but to be introduced.
Driving Impressions
The Q6 and SQ6 e-tron are deceptively roomy SUVs. Entrance and rear seat lodging is beneficiant with ample entrance seat adjustment for that just-right driving place.
Winding by way of Tasmania’s beautiful (if lumpy) backroads, we have been additionally impressed to seek out wonderful outward visibility, aided in fact by a high-resolution digital camera system when parking.
Plentiful storage and charging choices add to the sensation that the Q6 e-tron pair are considerate of their method to household life.
The large array of screens is intuitive to function, which we should say shocked us given the quantity of content material that bristles beneath.
The trio of screens is refreshingly simple to view in direct daylight – and when carrying polarised sun shades. Although we will’t say the identical of the head-up show, which appears to fade when the sunnies come out.
Importantly, as a status providing, the Q6 e-tron pair is impressively quiet with only a trace of wind noise from the wing mirrors at freeway speeds. Tyre noise is nicely suppressed, even managing to quieten the often-crusty street surfaces present in Tassie’s again nation.
In fact, it’s the driving expertise of the Q6 e-tron we admired most. Audi has completed an excellent job of making a car that’s not solely responsive and brisk, however effortlessly easy as nicely.
The Q6 e-tron Efficiency and Q6 e-tron quattro really feel remarkably shut when it comes to outright efficiency, the latter providing a dynamic edge that’s advantageous in tightening radius corners, or when tackling free surfaces.
Each automobiles are surprisingly partaking, the rear-biased all-wheel drive system of the Q6 e-tron quattro a little bit of a hoot when the possibility to open the faucets is offered.
The car’s potential to speak with the driving force is a step above something now we have to date come to count on from a mid-sized battery electrical SUV, the steering and suspension providing a degree of engagement that’s sorely missing within the competitors.
Stepping as much as the SQ6 e-tron we discover the extra tempo and tech a delight within the corners, the air suspension quick appearing when troubled by the lumps and bumps acquainted to this a part of the world. Add to this very good stopping energy and it’s truthful to say the SQ6 e-tron is the decide of the litter, although the worth premium is a bit up there.
We completely loved utilizing the regenerative braking to set the automobile up for corners, including a dab of friction braking to shift the load over the steering wheels earlier than committing. The extent of poise and steadiness right here is sort of exceptional contemplating the car’s measurement, permitting accuracy of street place that’s oftentimes crucial on slender nation roads.
Which brings us to what’s maybe one of many Q6 e-tron trio’s solely Achilles heel – the lane maintaining nannies. Pretty much as good as they’re when clear lane markings are current, its potential to identify the sting of the black-top on roads with no centre line is lower than supreme.
The programs appear to second guess the sting placement and alter the steering accordingly when no clear edge is outlined. It’s a situation that’s maybe peculiar to Australian backroads, and one that’s fortuitously simple to override – a easy lengthy push on the top of the indicator stalk disables the system till the subsequent ignition cycle.
Would we let that dissuade us from recommending the Audi Q6 e-tron vary? Not within the slightest. Given how nicely the car performs towards each different measure – and the way occasionally homeowners are more likely to encounter such situations – the intervention is nothing greater than a light inconvenience.
In each different respect the Audi Q6 e-tron vary is an immensely agreeable drive.
Splendidly proportioned, trendy, laden with security and connectivity know-how, comfy, assured, and with a degree of efficiency and vary we expect Aussie status patrons will heat to, that is arguably the electrical household hauler we’ve all been ready for.
