We took a first ride in the new Audi Q6 e-tron SUV and experienced the quiet luxury of the German vehicle.
The Q6 e-tron completes Audi’s line of electric SUVs, flanked by the Q4 in the smallest model and the Q8 in the largest model.
It is the first Audi on the PPE platform, a new EV platform jointly developed by Audi and Porsche.
We already explored the generation of this platform and the Q6 specifically in a preview this year. So we’ll focus on the riding experience in this article, but for those who need a quick refresher, here’s a rundown of the Q6 e-tron:
The Audi Q6 e-tron has a lifespan of 4,771 millimeters (15. 6 feet), a width of 1,993 millimeters (6. 5 feet), and a height of 1,648 millimeters (5. 4 feet), making it slightly larger than the Tesla Model Y.
Disclosure: Audi paid for my flights to and from Spain and my hotel accommodations so that I can enjoy the Q6 e-tron. The company did not have a say in our reports, nor did it request one.
Last month, Audi took me to Bilbao, Spain, to test the Q6 e-tron. While writing my first look at the new electric SUV, I was inspired by the vehicle’s specifications, design, and packaging.
On paper, it’s hard to pinpoint a problem in Q6. Maybe the fact that you don’t have local NACS, but it’s coming to market too early for that. Like all other non-Tesla EVs in North America, you’ll want to use an adapter to use the Supercharger network.
Other than that, you get three hundred miles of range, a very good fast-charging curve, an undeniable but charming design, a sumptuous interior, and all of Audi’s most recent improvements in terms of performance. user interface.
Considering all this, I was encouraged to drive the Q6 and I was not disappointed.
First of all, my favorite feature is the silence of the Q6’s cabin. It’s a luxury for me. Obviously, more wind and tire noises are heard in an electric vehicle thanks to the noise relief of the powertrain.
The cabin insulation and noise relief are even greater for premium brands like Audi, and the German automaker has done a wonderful job with the Q6.
Driving the Q6 on the road was sometimes straightforward and hassle-free, which is usually what one would wish for. Specifically, I liked the bright, highly adjustable HUD. Es, allowing it to adapt to your preferred riding position. I rarely ended up looking through the tool group, as the HUD kept the maximum of applicable data directly in front of my eyes.
Things got a little more exciting as we drove the SQ6 on the mountain roads around Bilbao. The suspension of the game edition is tuned a little more aggressively and with more than 500 hp, the Q6 e-tron offers enough capacity for fun.
The chassis feels solid, but not too stiff. We zigzagged up and down the mountain and this caused me some movement problems, but this didn’t happen to me even as a passenger in Q6.
The Q6 also has powerful 220kW regenerative braking and, to my delight, Audi delivers real one-pedal driving pleasure in the Q6 e-tron. You can choose from four other degrees of regenerative braking. The most common thing is to leave it on one pedal. drive because that’s how I prefer to drive, but with four qualifications there is something for everyone.
When I analyze electric cars from older manufacturers, the user interface is usually the biggest drawback. Tesla’s software-centric technique has propelled the industry on this front and Audi has taken note.
This new infotainment formula has improved a lot. It has a large number of physical buttons and touchscreen-based functions, now more responsive and intuitive.
Audi is also improving its voice control and Ai assistant with features powered through ChatGPT. The voice commands had some issues with my French-Canadian accent, but otherwise they worked fine.
Exact pricing and availability are yet to be released, but launch is underway in Europe and North America towards the end of the year.
As for pricing, Audi has limited its communication “between Q4 and Q8,” which start at $50,995 and $73,700, respectively.
More festival is welcome as it simply means more performances for everyone. Let brands upload more possible selections to the market and compete with each other for sales. Consumers will gain benefits from selection and lower prices. I suspect that Chinese corporations like BYD have mobilized themselves. other car brands, so everyone is stepping up their efforts. Having better electric cars is a smart thing.
While I don’t have many complaints to make about the Q6, without the price, I can’t claim that it’s a wonderful vehicle in terms of price, because at the end of the day, its price depends on the price.
Obviously, it may not be as affordable as a Model Y or a Mustang Mach-E, but I’d say it’s more luxurious.
In short, if you need a sumptuous electric SUV with three hundred miles of range, a wonderful load curve, and a quiet cabin, the Audi Q6 offers all of that in a wonderful package.
In the end, I’d be surprised if it became the best-selling Audi style in North America.
Fred is an editor and senior editor at Electrek.
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