Audi unveils first next-gen EV with new all-electric Q6 e-tron SUV
- The EV is levelling up
- Audi has unveiled its new all-electric Q6 e-tron SUV
- It’s setting a new standard for premium EVs
Published on Mar 20, 2024 at 4:05 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Mar 25, 2024 at 2:17 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The EV is leveling up as Audi unveils its new all-electric Q6 e-tron SUV.
It’s setting a new standard for premium EVs.
A next-gen electric vehicle, the all-electric Q6 e-tron SUV is based on a new PPE platform that was co-created alongside Porsche.
READ MORE! This Audi A6 Avant E-Tron has unbelievable headlights
The Porsche Macan EV – seen here charging in Norway – is the other PPE-based vehicle, which came to market earlier in the year, but Audi is bound to have a unique take.
The specs and design of the Q6 e-tron SUV see it aiming for the popular midsize SUV segment.
However, pricing currently remains a mystery.
Several legacy automakers are pulling back on their electrification plans but this all-electric SUV is a sign that Audi is committed.
They plan to wind down internal combustion engine vehicles entirely by 2027 and go completely electric by 2033.
The all-electric 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron improves on Audi’s EV platforms.
It also completes its electrification of Audi’s SUV lineup, sitting between the smaller Q4 e-tron and bigger Q8 e-tron.
It’s the electric counterpart to the popular Q5.
Side note: Audi seems to be making even numbers electric and odd numbers ICE.
The Q6 e-tron is more efficient than its predecessors with PPE including battery boosts from the cells to the pack.
Audi has turned to energy-dense CATL NMC cells in a prismatic form factor.
It increased its module size with 15 cells per module and 12 modules per pack.
At the pack level, Audi’s PPE pack is more efficient in design with a new thermal management system.
The next-gen battery pack has a total capacity of 100 kWh and a useful capacity of 94.9 kWh.
The European model will have the two middle modules removed.
That brings the total capacity to 83 kWh.
Audi has also made some major improvements to drive with the PPE platform both in efficiency, power, and torque density.
This was achieved via advanced cooling and lubrification systems – and that’s just for starters.
The Q6 e-tron SUV uses an asynchronous motor on the front axle.
There’s also a permanent magnet motor at the rear.
What’s more, Audi has also amped up battery preconditioning, which can shave 18 minutes off charging time in cold temperatures.
If the weather does dip – a factor that is known to be a bit like kryptonite for EVs – the Q6 e-tron SUV has a new heat pump within the powertrain thermal management system.
On the plus side, this video of a Tesla Cybertruck plowing through snow with crazy track wheels while towing proves its cold-weather capabilities.
If that’s not enough, this owner used their Cybertruck to work a coffee machine after cold weather caused a power outage.
Another bonus is that the same heat pump can also reduce the impact of climate control on the range – useful in cold weather.
The heat pump increases range by 30 km (18.6 m) between -10°C to 20°C (14°F to 68°F):
These PPE improvements also allow for scalability and reducing costs.
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London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.
