In Sportback form, Audi's Q6 e-tron appears notably more stylish. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

In the Q6 Sportback e-tron, Audi provides us with a sportier-looking version of its mid-sized electric SUV. A body shape that has the added benefit of extending driving range, though slightly at the expense of boot space. Could this be your ideal Q6 e-tron body style?

Background

Two cars. One platform. One shared package of engineering. Yet in perceived appeal, the Audi Q6 e-tron and the Porsche Macan Electric could hardly be further apart. Here though, is the model that narrows the gap between these two VW Group mid-sized premium electric SUVs; the Q6 Sportback e-tron. If you know anything about modern Audis, you'll know the formula here; same car, swoopier swept-back body shape. We've already seen it with Sportback versions of the combustion Q5 and the old electric Q8 e-tron. Provision of this sportier body shape though for the Q6 e-tron might just be more significant. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Spec

There are of course no handling or drivetrain differences with this Sportback variant. So, as with the SUV, the line-up kicks off with two rear-driven models. One is an entry-level variant using a smaller 83kWh battery (75.8kWh of it usable), which goes 334 miles between charges. It puts out 252PS (or 292PS with launch control) and makes 62mph in 7.0s. The other version, badged 'performance', uses a larger 100kWh battery (94.9kWh of it usable) and offers the longest drive range in the line-up - 402 miles (10 miles more than the equivalent SUV version). It puts out 306PS (or 326PS with launch control) and makes 62mph in 6.6s. Beyond that is the quattro 4WD version, also with the 100kWh battery, which manages 390 miles of range. It puts out 388PS and makes 62mph in 5.9s. Much the same powertrain also features in the top SQ6 Sportback e-tron, but here the motors are tuned to deliver 490PS (or as much as 517PS with launch control engaged). Which takes the car to 62mph in just 4.3s en route 143mph. Range from the same battery falls only slightly to 367 miles (due to wider tyres). If that's still not fast enough, talk to your dealer about the forthcoming RS Q6 Sportback e-tron model, expected to produce over 600PS. The dual motor powertrain in the quattro and SQ6 Sportback e-tron AWD variants features a rear-based torque distribution system; and different front and rear motor sizes mean that different amounts of power can be sent to each axle as required.

Design and Build

This more rakish take on what Q6 e-tron should be is said to have been inspired by the rear roof line of a MK1 Audi TT - and if you squint hard enough, you might even see that. The overall dimensions haven't changed, but the profile shape certainly has, with a 37mm-lower roof line and a sloping rear end. The Ingolstadt maker says it's also thinned the windows, which it claims is supposed to emphasise the flared Audi Quattro-inspired wheel arches. There's also a lower ride height, which combines with the sleeker bodywork to reduce the drag coefficient from 0.28 to 0.26Cd. Inside up-front of course, this Sportback is the same as the ordinary Q6 e-tron. A 'softwrap' design extends from the doors around a main dashboard sculpted in a 'digital stage' shape supposed to resemble the Singleframe grille. As part of this, an 11.9-inch digital instrument display blends into a 14.5-inch curved control infotainment touchscreen. Customers can also specify a further 10.9-inch display ahead of the front seat passenger, which has tech to prevent the driver being distracted by it while the car is moving. What will grab your attention at the wheel is the useful dynamic interaction light at the base of the screen, which flashes in different colours to display information and warnings. There's a new generation AI-augmented voice assistant which can now control over 800 features. And a very minimalist-style design vibe which reduces physical dashboard buttons to an absolute minimum. Even those you get on the wheel are of the touch panel sort. As with some of the brand's other Sportback models, Audi's managed to deliver the sleeker roof line without too much impact on rear seat headroom, though this is slightly compromised. More of a compromise though, comes with boot space, which falls from 526-litres with the standard version to 511-litres. As with the SUV, this is supplemented by a 64-litre under-bonnet 'frunk' space.

Market and Model

There's a substantial £2,500 over the standard Q6 e-tron, so you're really going to have to value the swoopier looks of this Sportback body shape. From launch, prices started from £62,475. There are the same three mainstream trim option choices as with the standard SUV - 'Sport', 'S line' and 'Edition 1'. As with the SUV, you choose between a base model with the smaller 83kWh battery and a 'performance' version with the larger 100kWh battery, also used by the 4WD quattro model. At the top of the range is the SQ6 Sportback e-tron quattro, which in top 'Edition 1' form costs around £95,000. All Q6 e-trons provide plenty of technology, thanks in part to this car's newly developed 'electronic architecture E3' tech, which allows customers to experience digitalisation in the vehicle more directly than an Audi ever has before. The E3 system controls all vehicle functions - from infotainment and driving features through to semi-automated driving. One example is the car's Augmented Reality Head-Up Display; the far virtual distance of its image creates the impression that the elements shown are floating up to 200 metres away. Virtual content is thus seamlessly integrated into reality. This can also show the avatar for the self-learning Audi voice assistant, which can be used to control numerous vehicle functions which understands more than 800 voice commands. The infotainment system uses Android Automotive OS as its operating system for the first time, has over-the-air updates, the latest Audi connect services and a 'Store' section that gives customers access to a wide range of apps. And you can have a 22-speaker 830-watt Bang & Olufsen Premium sound system with four speakers built into the front seat headrests, enabling cabin sound zones to be delineated. Obviously, there's loads of drive assist tech too. A 'Parking system plus' set-up with a 360-degree display, swerve assist and turn assist, a top-view camera, a traffic-sign-based speed limiter, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking in front and rear, camera-based traffic sign recognition, intersection assist, lane departure warning, a lane change assistant, an exit warning system, rear cross traffic assist, rear turn assist, and advanced driver attention and fatigue monitor systems are all on board as standard.

Cost of Ownership

It's unlikely that you're going to be choosing this more expensive Sportback body shape purely on the basis of its extended driving range but nevertheless, being able to go around 10 miles further than you would be able to between charges in an ordinary Q6 e-tron SUV is capability worth having. We gave you the range figures in our 'Driving' section - 334 miles for the standard version, 402 miles for the 'performance' model, 390 miles for the quattro and 367 miles for the SQ6. Audi reckons its electric motors are among the most efficient in the industry. In this car, the brand uses asynchronous motors in the front axle and permanent synchronous motors on the rear, these units featuring dry sump oil cooling for better efficiency and management of heat. The company reckons these motors offer 62% more power density and 33% greater performance than the earlier generation units fitted to the Q8 e-tron. This Q6's standard inclusion of a heat pump will preserve driving range in very cold conditions. Audi says in this case it adds around 19 miles of extra range in really cold temperatures. On to charging, for which, helpfully, the car provides ports on both sides, though only one port can accept the fastest DC charging rate. The main news with this Q6 design is the switch to an 800V architecture with the PPE platform. This means that your Q6 can be charged at up to 270kW if you can find the right ultra rapid charger. Apparently, 158 miles of range can be added in as little as 10 minutes. It also means this Q6 can benefit from so-called 'bank charging': that means that at feebler public chargers (of up to 135kW) that can't handle the PPE platform's 800V power, this Audi will split the battery in two and run each half at 400V, optimising battery replenishment speed and efficiency, so charging will still be super-quick.

Summary

Without this Sportback body shape, it would have been hard to imagine Audi stealing too many sales from its identically-engineered Porsche Macan Electric VW Group stablemate. More significantly for the Wolfsburg conglomerate's hierarchy, the standard Q6 e-tron SUV model is a little limited in its appeal against sportier-looking rivals like the Porsche Macan Electric and the Tesla Model Y. The Q6 Sportback e-tron targets those competitors far more directly. It's a pity the Sportback version costs so much more than the SUV model - it really can't cost Audi any more to produce it. But if you don't mind that, then you're probably looking here at your preferred Q6 e-tron body shape. With all the high-tech attributes that would have made you want to consider a Q6 in the first place. Just better packaged. Which of course makes all the difference.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Privacy glass

Acoustic windscreen

Side and rear windows in heat insulating glass

Brakes

Red brake calipers

Hill hold assist

Front emergency brake assist

Carpets/Rugs

Black carpets

Front/rear floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Sport suspension

Communication

Audi smartphone interface

Audi connect emergency call and service

Audi application store

Audi connect remote and controls

Audi connect navigation and infotainment

Driver Aids

Adaptive cruise control

Audi drive select

Top view camera

Park assist plus

Lane departure warning with emergency assist

Swerve assist and turn assist

Audi parking system plus includes 360 degree display with front and rear sensors

Intersection assist

Camera traffic sign recognition

Advanced driver attention and fatigue montior

Lane change assistant with exit warning system, rear cross traffic alert and rear turn assist

Traffic sign based speed limiter

Audi assistant

Progressive steering with servotronic

Audi digital key (Sharing with additional users and other devices is not possible)

Driver Convenience

Comfort key with SAFELOCK

Driver Information

MMI navigation plus with high resolution 14.5" OLED touchscreen colour display

Audi virtual cockpit plus with 11.9" OLED colour display

MMI 10.9" front passenger touch display

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Door mirror memory

Electric adjustable/heated/folding door mirrors with auto dimming

Embellishment Trims

Accent surfaces and control buttons in gloss black

Black dashboard with contrast stitching

Upper and lower interior elements in dinamica microfiber

Softwrap in Dinamica with contrast stitching

Engine

E-tron sport sound

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Smartphone compartment with wireless charging

2 front and 2 rear USB-C ports

Exterior Body Features

Black window surrounds

Rear side wing doors

Electric charging cover

Front door sill trims with aluminium inlays, illuminated

Exterior Lights

High beam assist

Headlight cleaning system

Matrix LED headlights

LED 3rd brake light

LED rear lights pro incl. dynamic rear indicators and illuminated light strip with animated coming and leaving home function

Active digital light signature with eight combination of active daytime running light

White rhombus logo projection light in exterior mirrors

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Heat pump

3 zone automatic climate control including comfort remote pre-conditioning

Interior Features

Manually adjustable steering column

Black cloth headlining

Comfort front centre armrest

Stainless steel pedals and footrest

Luggage compartment lid, electrically opening and closing

3 spoke multifunction heated leather steering wheel with touch control, flat on top and bottom, with 'S' badge,contrast stitch

Steering wheel grips in perforated leather and shift paddles

64L frunk storage space under the bonnet

Packs

Sound and vision pack - Q6

Black styling package plus - Q6

Safety

3 point seatbelts on all seats

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Electric child locks

Acoustic vehicle alerting system

Tyre pressure loss indicator

Front and rear side airbags with head airbag system

Occupant detection sensor - 2nd row

Seat belt monitoring

Rear seat occupant reminder for child presence detection

Airbags in front, front passenger airbag is automatically activated and deactivated

Front interaction airbag

Proactive passenger protection system for front, sides and rear

Seats

Electrically adjustable front seats

Heated front and outer rear seats

Integrated front head restraints

Driver seat memory function

3 rear head restraints

Pneumatically adjustable lumbar support with massage function

40:20:40 split folding rear seat bench , centre armrest and cupholders

Single front passenger seat

3 bench rear seats in 2nd row

i-Size child seat mounting on the front passenger side and i-Size and top tether on the outer rear seats

Front sport seats plus with 'S' embossed logo

Security

Anti-theft wheel bolts

Thatcham approved category 1 anti theft alarm

Towing

Towbar preparation

Vehicle Charging

Compact e-tron charging system

11KW onboard charger

Household plug type G (GB)

Wall mounted bracket for compact e-tron charging system

Industrial connector CEE 32A, 230V, long and straight for the e-tron charging system

Plug n charge

On-board charger up to 270 KW (DC)

Mode 3 charging cable for public charging, 22 KW (AC)

Second charging port (AC)

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 2400

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 480

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 65

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 50

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): 21

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: 225

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 83

NEDC Electricity Consumption kWh/100 km: N

NEDC Maximum EV Range Miles: N

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 501

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 505

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 491

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 17.1

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 17

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 17.5

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.6

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.6

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 3.7

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 311

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 305

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 314

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 75

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 75.8

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 225

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

Noise Level dB(A): N

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: N

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: GFNA1AWB0

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: Ed 1 [Sound+Vision]

Coin Description: N

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: No

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: 106905

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 47E

Service Interval Mileage: 999999

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 91

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 92

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 81

NCAP Safety Assist %: 80

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 252

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.6

Top Speed: 130

Engine Power - BHP: 252

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 185

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 332

Engine Torque - NM: 450

Engine Torque - MKG: 45.9

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 255/45 R21

Tyre Size Rear: 285/40 R21

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 21" ALLOY

Wheel Style: 5 Y SPOKE

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4771

Wheelbase: 2899

Width (including mirrors): 2193

Height: N

Height (including roof rails): 1665

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 2125

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2740

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2000

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 615

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 511

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1373

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.1

Driving Mirrors

Carbon door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Carbon micro twill structure inlay

Exterior Body Features

Pearlescent paint

Metallic paint

Special metallic paint

Panoramic sunroof

Contrast bumpers in mythos black metallic paint finish

Interior Features

Dinamica microfiber/leather upholstery with diamond stitching, including seatbelts with red edging

Fine Nappa leather upholstery with diamond stitching

Packs

Storage and Luggage compartment pack - Q6

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Plasma blue

Metallic - Manhattan grey

Metallic - Mythos black

Metallic - Glacier white

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Daytona grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Magnet grey

Paint - Special

Special metallic - Soneira red

Special metallic - Ascari blue

Service/Warranty

Audi warranty - 4 years or 75000 miles

Audi warranty - 5 years or 90000 miles

Towing

Towbar folding

Trim - Leather

Fine nappa leather - Black with steel grey diamond stitching

Trim - Part Leather

Dinamica microfiber/leather - Black with steel grey diamond stitching

Dinamica microfiber/leather - Black with red diamond stitching including seatbelts with red edging

Wheels - Alloy

21" x 9.0J 10.0J 5-arm Aero metallic black gloss turned finish audi sport alloy wheels