Prestige German car manufacturer Audi is pushing forward with the premium brand’s electric model portfolio, this time with the Q6 Sportback e-tron. A fully electric vehicle (EV), the Sportback series has become one of the most popular body designs among Audi fans. This powerful sport utility vehicle (SUV) design is typically Audi, complemented by the Sportback’s sleek features.
The result is a sleeker and sportier silhouette, without that SUV chunkiness, that will appeal to design-oriented drivers. The Q6 Sportback e-tron, features the familiar Audi strengths in terms of performance, range, efficiency, charging and, as ever, the high quality fit and finish. Thanks to the aerodynamic benefits of the model’s design, the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron performance is the range champion in the model series, travelling a distance of up to 402 miles. If this model isn’t quick enough for you then there’s an even sportier SQ6 version for added performance and sporty looks.
The Sleek Exterior
With shades of the iconic first-generation Audi TT Coupé featured in the design, the Sportback’s sloping roofline enhances its sporty aesthetics. The vehicle’s silhouette flows gracefully, and the design team have clearly reimagined the entire roof arch, starting from the A-pillar, resulting in a Sportback 37mm lower than the SUV -style version of this car. This adjustment infuses the classic proportions of an SUV with elegance unique to the Sportback form. As a result, the Q6 Sportback e-tron exudes an unmistakable sportiness even when stationary.
The upright front dominates the fully closed, three-dimensional ‘Singleframe’ grille. A mask in Selenite Silver or high-gloss black encloses the side air intakes. Thanks to their high placement, the digital daytime running lights give the Q6 Sportback e-tron its striking and unique appearance. The cabin stretches considerably lower and tighter over the vehicle’s powerful body. Its soft shapes contrast with the body’s creases and edges, creating a dynamic interplay of shadows, an effect that can be seen in our images. The flat rear window ends in a breakaway edge that incorporates a third brake light.
At the back a striking line sweeps from the rear over the tail lights to the rear doors, accentuating the top of the ‘quattro’ blisters and the broad shoulders above the wheel arches. The rear window design has a dynamic upward bend. The rear, which tapers more dynamically than the SUV’s, blends sporty elegance and power. With its continuous light strip, the clean, spacious rear architecture gives the Sportback the clarity and poise typical of Audi.
The Classy Interior
On the outside then, the dynamic-looking Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron combines the spaciousness of an SUV with the elegance of a coupé. Inside, the electric car features a 511 litre luggage compartment and a 64 litre ‘frunk’ (as brands insist on calling the front trunk or additional boot which is optional as part of storage pack). When the rear row of seats is folded, the luggage compartment increases to up to 1,373 litres.
The long wheelbase makes for ample room in the interior, even in the rear seats, and this prestige model also boasts 25 litres of useful storage space inside. The high towing capacity of up to 2,400kg stands for uncompromising suitability for everyday use.
The Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron interior is perfectly suited to its occupants’ needs. Material properties were carefully considered from the early stages of interior design, we learn, together with the Audi MMI (multi-media interface) panoramic display and the MMI passenger display, they create a visually striking digital stage. The high-contrast interior design intentionally places elements in the foreground or background, resulting in a three-dimensional spatial sense that balances aesthetics and ergonomics tailored to the occupants. In short, this car is user-friendly.
The interior ambiance is emphatically involving. The dynamic interaction light (part of the Sound & Vision pack) offers a wide range of communication functions, aiding the vehicle’s interactions with its occupants. The soft wrap extends from the doors through the entire cockpit to the centre console, creating a cohesive and welcoming sense of space. Its colours and high-quality materials, such ‘Dinamica’ microfibre, made partly from recycled materials, are also used in the seats.
Optionally available in S line specification, the soft wrap uses something called ‘Elastic Melange’ fabric made from recycled material. The roof lining, pillars, and sun visors are made from ‘Draft’, another fabric made with one-hundred percent recycled polyester.
The Power
Two battery sizes and two drive variants are available for the Q6 Sportback e-tron, the latter powered by a single or with twin motors for all-wheel-drive. Even at base standard this car is pretty quick taking just seven seconds for the traffic light sprint to 62mph. The faster variants will do this in under five seconds (with launch control) although the range will inevitably be slightly reduced for the top mark of 402 miles to around 370, so it’s not too much of a penalty. The fastest version offers the EV equivalent of around 510BHP (517PS); obviously lower specified variants will have less power but more range, as might be expected.
Sophisticated high-voltage battery thermal management and the 800-volt electrical system make for impressive charging performance. For example, the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron ‘Performance’ version needs only 10 minutes at a fast-charging station to charge a range of up to 164 miles at a maximum charging power of 260 kW under ideal conditions. It only takes the high-voltage battery 22 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent. The smaller capacity 83kWh battery has a maximum charging speed of 225 kW.
This model is available to order now but here at MHH International we offer a very wide range of sophisticated new and used Audi vehicles to suit all needs, from big SUV’s to sports cars like the still-brilliant Audi R8. If you don’t see the right car for you then please get in touch to source the vehicle of your choice. We export cars from the UK to destinations as far afield as New Zealand and Kenya. We also serve many other countries and there’s a full list on our Home Page. Ask our colleagues about VAT-free options and our after-sales service too.
