2024 Audi Q6 E-Tron electric SUV previewed: New interior, Android tech

September 5: Q6 E-Tron interior revealed

The 2024 Audi Q6 E-Tron's tech-laden interior has been revealed at the 2023 IAA Mobility show in Munich.

The German automaker has again teased its new medium electric SUV – ahead of an expected full debut before the end of the year.

The Q6 E-Tron's interior is headlined by an all-new 14.5-inch central touchscreen with 11.9-inch driver instruments, joined on a curved panel running its new ‘E3 electronics architecture’.

Both adopt brighter, richer contrast organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display technology and debuts Google's Android Automotive operating system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone projection and machine-learning Audi voice control.

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While the climate controls are now within the touchscreen, Audi still offers a physical volume dial at the centre console, albeit a gloss black-surfaced one.

A separate 10.9-inch front passenger display is optional to control audio, view videos and more – but includes a privacy layer to prevent distracting the driver.

Additionally, an ambient lighting strip stretches across the Q6 E-Tron’s windscreen and into the doors – reminiscent of Volkswagen ID cars, the Cupra Leon and refreshed Tesla Model 3 – but has 84 LED elements to animate when charging or when the doors are locked, for example.

The augmented reality head-up display provides driver’s with an 88-inch field-of-view and a high 13,500-nits of brightness. For context, flagship Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphones peak at 2000-nits (although brightness doesn’t increase linearly).

The optional Bang & Olufsen audio system brings 22-speakers, including four integrated into the front seat headrests.

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The five-seater medium electric SUV will be the first model to use Audi and Porsche's Premium Platform Electric (PPE) – providing 526-litres of boot space, which expands to 1529-litres with the rear seats folded down.

Under the bonnet is a 63-litre storage space (often referred to as a 'frunk').

The Q6 E-Tron features an octagonal steering wheel similar to the smaller Q4 E-Tron overseas – while all mirrors, seat memory, door lock, and exterior light controls are condensed into what appears to be a gloss black touch-sensitive driver’s door panel.

It also employs eco-friendly interior materials, such as recycled floor mats, fabric and microfiber trims.

Our previous coverage continues below.

July 29, 2023: Q6 E-Tron teased with 'talking' lights

The 2024 Audi Q6 E-Tron mid-size electric SUV has been teased in more revealing camouflage, ahead of an imminent debut.

The upmarket Tesla Model Y, BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz EQC rival will be 4700mm long, with an identical 2928mm wheelbase to the larger Q8 E-Tron.

It rides on the Volkswagen Group's new ground-up Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture shared with the forthcoming Porsche Macan EV, compared to the adapted internal-combustion MLB Evo platform found underneath the Q8 E-Tron.

Audi has confirmed it will be available in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations with the Q6 E-Tron 55 accelerating from 0-100km/h in around six seconds, while the high-performance S flagship cuts it to 4.5 seconds.

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Click on the image for more teaser photos

Multiple battery sizes will also be offered, starting from about 100 kilowatt-hours, with up to 270kW DC ultra-rapid charging capabilities using the 800-volt class PPE architecture.

Similar to the unrelated Audi E-Tron GT electric sports sedan, it’ll be available with two separate charging ports at each side of the rear-quarter body – with only the left able to DC fast charge.

The Q6 E-Tron seemingly appears aesthetically similar to the large updated Q8 E-Tron, except for its split headlight arrangement. It's likely that the rally-like white alloys pictured won't feature in the final model, though.

It’s the first Volkswagen Group model to feature second-generation organic light-emitting diode (OLED) front and rear lights, with eight selectable digital light signature designs – provided owners select the feature package.

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Click on the image for more teaser photos

The OLED lights also serve a communication function with other road users.

For example, the tail-lights can display a warning symbol if the vehicle behind is too close, when the door open warning is triggered to help alert approaching cyclists or drivers, or when an accident or breakdown is detected ahead (as part of the vehicle-to-everything system overseas).

Audi has used the ‘Q6’ badge on a China-only upmarket seven-seat Volkswagen-based petrol SUV, but globally, pure electric models will adopt even numbers and retain the ‘E-Tron’ moniker, while petrol- and diesel-powered models will transition to odd numbers.

While the Q6 E-Tron is the first model to use the PPE platform – jointly developed by Audi and Porsche – it will eventually be succeeded by the unified Scalable Systems Platform (SSP).

Currently, Audi only sells two EVs in Australia – the E-Tron SUV (soon to be updated to the Q8 E-Tron) and E-Tron GT sports sedan. It has also expressed interest in the Q4 E-Tron small electric SUV, but isn’t confirmed.

Our earlier story, below, continues unchanged.

March 18, 2023: Audi Q6 E-Tron previewed

Audi's latest electric model, the upcoming Q6 E-Tron, will be one of 10 new Audi EVs to debut by 2025 – and now we have a first look at what to expect.

The new model, shown here in a light camouflage wrap, will clearly continue the styling themes set out with the small Q4 E-Tron, the facelifted Q8 E-Tron (formerly just 'E-Tron'), and of course the E-Tron GT sedan.

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The company isn't revealing much else, although it has highlighted that the Q6 E-Tron will ride on the same new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform that will underpin the imminent electric Porsche Macan.

That means we can expect an 800V electrical architecture, which represents an important upgrade over the 400V design that runs through Audi's existing EVs.

It also means that, at least on a charging and efficiency level, the Q6 E-Tron will compete better with 'lesser' offerings like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Kia EV6 and Kia EV9 – all of which are already using an 800V system.

The Q6 E-Tron will be offered in SUV (wagon) and Sportback (a coupe-like tapered roofline) body styles, just as Audi does with a number of its existing models.

Further details are still to come, although Porsche has confirmed we can expect a flagship electric Macan packing 450kW, 1000Nm, and a 100kWh-plus battery. Similar specs could feature with a Q6 E-Tron RS, although the company has yet to confirm any such plans.

Watch for more to be revealed in the coming months.

Below: the Q4 E-Tron, and Q8 E-Tron

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