Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, here's how the electric SUV-coupé is made, how it goes and how much it costs

The update of the Audi strategy is based on the term flexibility, which the brand uses to underline both that the electric range, which for a long time was indicated as the one that would become definitive for the brand, always accompanies the thermal one although electrified and to convey the fact that the range of bodies of its line-up allows to satisfy, in practice, any type of need. The Q6 Sportback e-tron, therefore only electric, is one of the youngest daughters of this vision, and extends the line of models that combine the appearance inspired by the world of coupés, in many cases, a functionality similar to that of a station wagon. Like the Q6 e-tron in standard SUV format, the Sportback is also based on the Premium Platform Electric architecture that Audi developed with Porsche although making changes to tie it to its DNA, from which it detaches itself not only in terms of appearance but also a little on a dynamic level.

In detail, the Q6 Sportback e-tron is offered in the entry-level rear-wheel drive versions with 292 horsepower and an 83 kWh battery for a range of 547 kilometers and Performance with 326 horsepower that thanks to the 100 kWh battery promises to travel 658 kilometers. Added to these proposals are the twin-engine four-wheel drive e-tron quattro with 387 horsepower and SQ6 with 517 horsepower also with 100 kWh batteries that promise, respectively, ranges of 638 and 609 kilometers. The 800 V electrical network guarantees short charging times for the batteries of all Q6 Sportback e-tron, which are of a new high-density generation. For example, the Performance with 270 kW systems stores electricity to travel 265 kilometers in ten minutes, while the other rear-wheel drive variants with 83 and 100 kWh batteries accept fast charging, respectively, up to 225 kW and 260 kW. The Q6 Sportback family also boasts specific adjustments of the passive damping and adaptive air suspension, available for some versions, and of the customized steering calibration which, together with the prevalent distribution of traction on the rear axle also offered by the all-wheel drive versions, give the Sportback a sportier dynamism than that of the Q6 with the classic SUV line.

The technical equipment confirms what the sleek line of the Q6 Sportback e-tron promises, which marries the valid aerodynamic profiling that results in a Cx of 0.26 that is truly valid for the type of vehicle and benefits efficiency with sportiness and elegance, but without reflecting on the spaciousness that the passenger compartment of a robust car must offer. In fact, this Q6 is 4.77 meters long, 1.96 meters wide and 1.66 meters high. The appearance stands out from that of the SUV version, in particular, starting from the windshield thanks to the curved design of the roof inspired by that of the first generation of the TT coupé that descends on the tail and draws a very sleek profile connecting with the rear part of the car, on which it rests by tying itself to the upper part of the muscular wheel arches to connect them with the spoiler under the rear window. The latter seems to be supported by the LED strip that connects the headlights with Oled 2.0 technology, which are also elements of communication with the outside since in case of emergency situations they transform into displays that launch warnings to those following. Even in the front, substantially the same as that of the Q6 SUV, the light signature is made up of Oled elements.

The sloping shape of the roof, together with the 2.90-meter wheelbase and the layout of the Ppe architecture, generate an interior that, despite what the sleek line of the Q6 Sportback might lead you to think, offers plenty of space for all passengers. The interior design is the one brought to the debut of the normal Q6 e-tron, which is spreading on the most recent Audis such as the A6 as well as the A5 and Q5, and offers a dashboard that can be dominated by the presence of three displays when the 11.9" instrument cluster and the 14.5" infotainment display are joined by the 10.9" one in front of the front passenger. Thanks to the E3 1.2 electronic architecture and the Android Automotive OS platform, the level of digitalization is very high, the human-machine interaction is intuitive thanks to the support of ChatGPT and the intelligent voice assistant with self-learning function (online and offline) with which it is possible to both control various functions of the car and obtain information of all kinds.

In the passenger compartment of this Q6 Sportback you travel in first class both because it is carefully finished and because it offers a high level of comfort, because the insulation keeps annoying noises away and the adaptive suspensions gradually overcome the irregularities of the road. The set-up together with the good amount of weight placed low down by the large battery pack, the readiness of the steering make driving much more instinctive than the size and mass might suggest. In fact, this Q6 moves through the curves in a rather casual and reliable manner. The powertrain that delivers 326 horsepower and 485 Nm of torque and pushes it up to 210 km/h and to 100 km/h in 6”7 against a declared consumption of 16/18.3 kWh/100 km has a marked tendency to always correctly and promptly receive the accelerator commands both in calm use and when it is solicited. Obviously, maintaining the linear delivery typical of full-electric