The Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback has been spied during testing ahead of its expected reveal in early 2024.
The Q6 e-tron, which is a Q5-sized electric SUV developed alongside the upcoming electric Porsche Macan, has been repeatedly delayed – with Automobilwoche reporting it now won’t be revealed until March 2024.
Audi was expected to reveal the car earlier this year before software delays at the Volkswagen Group’s troubled in-house software company Cariad scuttled those plans.
Most of the parts on the Sportback spied here will be the same when compared to its non-coupe twin, with the exception of its raked roof of course.
Up the front, the prototype looks identical to the Q6 e-tron wagon previewed earlier this year.
It features matrix LED headlights and a large front grille panel which, although hidden under camouflage, is straight out of the Audi corporate playbook.
The side profile sees the largest disparity with the Sportback’s sloping roof.
At the rear, a spoiler sits underneath the windscreen and a full-width light bar runs along the tailgate.
The rear bumper appears to have a simplified design to that of the Q6 e-tron SUV, however this may change with the production model.
Audi released photos of the 2024 Q6 e-tron’s interior earlier this year, which the Sportback will share.
Behind the steering wheel sits a large dual screen “digital stage” display that provides driving data to the driver and acts as an infotainment hub.
The screens sit behind one pane of glass and feature OLED technology.
The “virtual cockpit” in front of the driver measures 11.9 inches while the infotainment touchscreen measures 14.5 inches.
Next to the curved display is a 10.9 inch display for the front passenger. This screen features a polariser film allowing passengers to “watch movies undisturbed without distracting the driver”.
Audi has previously confirmed that the Q6 e-tron range will ride on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture it co-developed with Porsche.
The same platform will also be used for the next-generation Porsche Macan electric cars.
This new architecture will feature an 800V on-board electrical system, “powerful and efficient electric motors, an innovative battery and charging management system, and a newly developed electronics architecture”.
Audi notes the Q6 e-tron represents “the next major step in the electrification and digitalisation” of its model range.
It’s unclear what the power outputs for the Q6 e-tron are at this stage, but the Macan will reportedly offer up to 450kW and 1000Nm in its most powerful form. These figures could make their way onto a sportier RS Q6 e-tron model.
PPE-based vehicles will reportedly offer a range of up to 600km, and support both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations.
The platform will also offer an 800V electrical architecture like the J1 platform used in the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT, and will support DC fast-charging speeds of up to 350kW.
Audi this week confirmed production has begun on the electric motors which will be used in the Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan EV.
The motors for the PPE platform, along with the axles, are being produced at a facility in Györ, Hungary on three new lines. Around 700 employees are involved in production and the company plans to build up to 2000 PPE electric motors per day.
Q6 e-tron prototype
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