2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron electric SUV: Porsche Macan sibling revealed

The 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron electric SUV has debuted as a sibling to the latest Porsche Macan.

At launch, the Q6 E-Tron will be available in dual-motor all-wheel drive form or the sportier SQ6 E-Tron with two entry-level rear-drive models due later.

It has been confirmed for Australia, with more details – including launch timing – due to be announced in the coming weeks.

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The Q6 E-Tron and Macan are based on the Volkswagen Group’s dedicated Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture first announced in 2019. The Audi A6 E-Tron sedan and wagon will follow later this year.

Despite the shared technical underpinnings, Audi says the "flexibility of the PPE helps in giving the future models their independent character and the typical Audi DNA".

The Q6 E-Tron also sports the newly developed E1.2 electronic architecture, which faced several delays during its development. It has five high-performance computers that control all vehicle functions, such as the safety systems, infotainment, and backend network.

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Under the skin, the Q6 E-Tron has a 100kWh lithium-ion battery pack (94.9kWh usable) with an 800-volt electric architecture allowing a 270kW maximum fast-charge rate.

Audi claims 255 kilometres can be added in 10 minutes at a high-power charging station, while a 10 to 80 per cent top-up is possible in around 21 minutes at the highest speed.

At compatible 400-volt charging stations, ‘bank charging’ allows the 800-volt battery to automatically divide into two batteries at equal voltage, which can be charged in parallel at up to 135kW each.

The all-wheel-drive Q6 E-Tron has a WLTP-rated 625-kilometre maximum driving range. Its dual-motor powertrain produces 285kW for international models, with a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.9 seconds.

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In North America, it will produce 315kW – or 340kW with launch control – for a quicker five-second 0-60mph (97km/h) sprint time.

The SQ6 E-Tron makes up to 380kW with launch control activated, with a 4.3-second 0-100km/h time. It has a slightly lower 598-kilometre maximum driving range.

Audi has taken advantage of the high-voltage battery position to partially redesign the front axle to position the control arms in front of the suspension arms, which is said to improve kinematic properties.

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The steering rack has also been fixed to the sub-frame, while its Quattro all-wheel-drive system has rear-biased torque distribution with wider rear tyres.

In addition to debuting the PPE architecture and E1.2 electronic components in an Audi, the Q6 E-Tron also wears the German brand’s latest styling language for its EV models, including a split headlight design, a closed-off ‘singleframe’ grille, and shortened overhangs.

Second-generation digital OLED tail-lights with 360 segments can generate a new image every 10 milliseconds. These images can warn to other road users about accidents, breakdowns, or critical driving situations.

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The matrix LED headlights also include eight customisable light signatures for the daytime running lamps.

Measuring 4771mm long, 1993mm wide and 1648mm tall, with a 2899mm wheelbase, the Q6 E-Tron is closest in size to the internal-combustion Audi Q5 – as well as other midsize electric SUVs such as the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX3 and Genesis Electrified GV70.

While it might rival the Model Y and iX3 in size, the Q6 E-Tron won’t match them in price. In Europe, it will start from €74,700 (AU$124,000) – which, if applicable to Australia, would see it slot directly between the $90,000 Q4 E-Tron and $155,000 Q8 E-Tron electric SUV models.

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Inside, it features a panoramic curved display with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch infotainment system.

There's also an optional 10.9-inch front passenger touchscreen with a privacy layer to prevent it from distracting the driver.

For the first time in an Audi, the infotainment system runs the Android Automotive operating system, which supports over-the-air software updates and third-party app downloads, such as YouTube.

Other available features include a 20-speaker, 830-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system, artificial intelligence support for the built-in voice assistant, and an optional augmented reality head-up display that can show ‘floating’ elements at up to 200 metres away.

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The ambient lighting system covers the wider interior with a “variety of communication functions”, such as when the indicators are activated.

Boot space is rated at 526 litres with the second-row up or 1529L with it folded down, while there is an additional 64 litres available in the front boot.

A new active safety feature available in the Q6 E-Tron is ‘adaptive driving assistant plus’ which uses high-resolution map data and “swarm data from other vehicles aggregated in the cloud to improve the handling” to further assist with highway driving, in addition to the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

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Audi claims the plastic components in the front compartment and front section covers, as well as the windshield and HVAC intake covers, are made from recycled materials.

In addition, the outer roof section is made from scrap steel, some of which is sourced from end-of-life vehicles.

The 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron is the brand's first all-electric model produced at its plant in Ingolstadt, Germany. It will launch in Europe between July and September 2024, with its Australian launch set to follow later.