A hotter version of the Audi Q6 e-tron all-electric SUV has been spied during winter testing for the first time.
Dubbed the Audi RS Q6 e-tron, these two camouflaged prototypes were being driven in convoy.
Built on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture that’s been jointly developed by Audi and Porsche, the Q6 e-tron will share its underpinnings with the next-generation Porsche Macan EV.
Both the new Macan and regular Q6 e-tron are set to debut in 2022, and will be the first production vehicles to use this platform.
It’s believed the high-performance RS Q6 e-tron will most likely debut in 2023 at some stage.
Audi hasn’t confirmed how much power or torque this RS Q6 e-tron will produce yet. It hasn’t even said how much its regular Q6 e-tron will produce.
We do know PPE-based vehicles will reportedly offer an electric range upwards of up to 480km, with a standard single electric motor on the rear axle and an optional secondary electric motor on the front axle for all-wheel drive.
The platform will also offer an 800V electrical system, just like the J1 platform used in the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT, and will be capable of DC fast-charging speeds of up to 350kW.
At the front of these spied RS Q6 e-tron prototypes there’s lot of camouflage but the vehicle’s spilt headlight design can be seen. There’s also a large lower air intake with a radar box nestled inside, and smaller side air intakes flanking it.
At this stage it’s unclear what the grille design will look like but expect to see another take on Audi’s hexagonal grille as seen on the smaller Q4 e-tron.
Around the side these prototypes appear to sit lower than previously spied Q6 e-tron prototypes. There are also larger brake discs with red-painted calipers.
At the back there’s a lot of camouflage, but a set of what seem to be production-ready tail lights can be seen.
The regular Q6 e-tron and its hotter version will roll off the production line at the Audi Ingolstadt production plant which is currently undergoing renovations to accommodate all-electric manufacturing processes.
By 2025, Audi expects to offer over 20 all-electric models.
Audi has also committed to ceasing development of new internal-combustion engine (ICE) models by 2026 when the second-generation Q8 launches.
This Q8 will reportedly be offered with both ICE and electric vehicle (EV) powertrains.
After its production run ends around 2032, Audi will have only an electric-only model range, though it’s left the door open for ICE vehicles to continue to be sold in China beyond that date.
