Audi seems to fly under the radar when it comes to credit for helping luxury car buyers warm up to electric vehicles (EVs). While Tesla captured the attention of those mindful of image, Audi introduced its e-tron electric SUV back in 2018. With the tagline “electric has gone Audi,” the brand hoped to excite its loyal customers about electric cars by presenting the e-tron as an Audi first and an EV second.
The e-tron was not just a one-time effort. It evolved into the Q8 e-tron and was joined by the sporty e-tron GT and entry-level Q4 e-tron. So, while some car brands are just now debuting their first electric models, Audi is moving on to the next phase.
The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron marks Audi’s true second-generation EV, expected to hit dealerships later this year. Sized between the Q4 e-tron and Q8 e-tron, this new electric SUV is packed with advanced technology.
The Q6 e-tron is the first Audi to utilize the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform, developed alongside Porsche, which will launch its own Macan Electric using the same platform. In this context, “platform” refers not only to the car’s basic structure but also to many of the key components attached to it. PPE enables significant hardware improvements over previous Audi EVs, such as 800-volt charging capabilities, a new electrical architecture for enhanced software features, a novel battery-pack concept aimed at extending range, and more powerful drive units.
Audi has tried different platforms for its EVs. The original e-tron (now Q8 e-tron) used the same MLB Evo platform as the combustion-engine Q8. The Q4 e-tron is built on the MEB platform shared with Volkswagen’s EVs like the ID.4 and ID.7. The e-tron GT shares its J1 platform with the Porsche Taycan. But Audi believes PPE represents the future.
Audi’s approach with PPE focuses on meticulously refining individual components for better efficiency and performance rather than radically overhauling the entire vehicle concept. For instance, the Q6 e-tron features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system. Audi made these drive units more compact and efficient. Weighing 192.9 pounds in the front and 261.1 pounds in the rear, these units are 62% more power-dense than those in the first-generation e-tron, producing more power per pound while consuming 30% less energy.
For the Q6 e-tron, Audi chose an asynchronous motor for the front and a permanently excited synchronous motor for the rear, with the rear motor doing most of the work. This makes the drivetrain both cost-effective and efficient. Combined, these motors generate a steady 422 horsepower, which can peak at 456 hp with launch control, allowing the Q6 e-tron to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about 5.0 seconds. Audi also plans to offer a more powerful SQ6 e-tron, providing up to 510 hp with launch control and matching the SQ8 e-tron’s 4.2-second zero to 60 mph time. The Q6 e-tron has a top speed of 130 mph, while the SQ6 e-tron peaks at 143 mph.
The Q6 e-tron’s battery pack is designed to be more efficient and 15% lighter than previous versions, with greater energy storage capacity in the same space. Audi sticks with prismatic battery cells, unlike the cylindrical cells preferred by Tesla and Lucid. The pack is a substantial 100 kilowatt-hours, offering a minimum of 300 miles of range. With an 800-volt system akin to the e-tron GT’s, it supports DC fast charging up to 270 kW, maintaining this power for extended periods. It can also charge two halves of the pack in parallel at 135 kW at lower-power stations, achieving a 10% to 80% charge in 21 minutes under ideal conditions. The system preps the battery for optimal charging temperature on the way to a station using the built-in navigation system.
Initially, the Q6 e-tron will launch with Combined Charging Standard (CCS) ports like other current Audi EVs, despite Audi’s plan to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) post-launch.
The Q6 e-tron introduces a new version of Audi’s Multimedia Interface (MMI) infotainment system, now running on a new electrical architecture named E3 1.2. It showcases the most complex screen setup in any Audi to date, featuring an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the driver, a 10.9-inch front-passenger screen, and an augmented reality head-up display. These screens boast sharp graphics and quick responses. Audi has minimized physical buttons and knobs, relying more on touchscreens and voice recognition. The main touchscreen is accessible and slightly tilted toward the driver, while the passenger screen offers access to key functions like radio and navigation.
Powered by an Android-based operating system that uses Audi’s native voice recognition instead of Google apps, the Q6 e-tron supports wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. This OS allows for third-party apps for web browsing, video streaming, and gaming, much like the new Ford Digital Experience system. Front passengers can watch videos on their screen while the car is in motion, thanks to a filter that blocks the driver’s view. Audi plans to offer a variety of third-party apps and new features via over-the-air (OTA) updates, streamlined by the E3 1.2 architecture’s consolidation of in-car computing into five primary modules.
Visually, the Q6 e-tron resembles a sleeker version of the Q8 e-tron. Despite its traditional SUV shape, design tricks like pronounced fender creases and blacked-out lower trim help it appear less bulky. These blacked-out sections also serve functional roles, housing elements like front air intakes, the rear diffuser, and the battery pack.
Though elements like the large grille and stacked headlights may seem unoriginal, they include sophisticated tech. The Q6 e-tron features Audi’s latest digital light system with programmable daytime running lights and taillights made up of 122 and 360 individual OLED elements, respectively. This system allows drivers to customize eight different daytime running light patterns, while the taillights offer animated effects outside the U.S. due to regulatory limits.
During a brief test drive on a closed track, the Q6 e-tron demonstrated competent handling and impressive acceleration despite its weight. Unlike some competitors, Audi has successfully integrated regenerative and friction braking systems for consistent deceleration and feel. Drivers can also adjust the level of regenerative braking, up to full one-pedal driving.
While the brief test drive showed promise, the full impact of Audi’s hardware improvements will likely become evident with more on-road experience. The initial impression was positive, leaving us eager to spend more time with Audi’s latest EV.