New Audi Q6 e-tron electric SUV spotted ahead of 2023 debut

It appears the brand-new Audi Q6 e-tron is being readied for launch, as our photographers have spotted less heavily camouflaged versions of both the conventional Q6 e-tron and Q6 Sportback e-tron coupe undergoing winter testing. 

We can discern a few new styling elements from these latest images, including a new split LED headlight design, large air intakes on either side and at the bottom of the front bumper, and a full-width light bar at the rear, similar to the one on the Audi e-tron GT saloon. Overall, the Q6 e-tron’s shape closely resembles that of the existing Q4 e-tron, and earlier this year even we saw that the two will feature very similar textured front grille designs.

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As always, the only visual difference for the Sportback version is the significantly more aerodynamic and rakish roofline, which should provide a boost in range over the standard SUV, but at the cost of some boot space.

We expect both the Q6 e-tron and Q6 Sportback e-tron to make their world debuts in early 2023 at the same time, especially given the identical levels of camouflage on both the prototypes seen here. They’ll slot in between the Q4 e-tron and the recently refreshed Q8 e-tron flagship SUV in Audi’s EV line-up, and rival the likes of the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX3, Lexus RZ 450e and Nissan Ariya. 

The Q6 e-tron will use the same 'PPE' (Premium Platform Electric) underpinnings as the new electric Porsche Macan, now due in 2024. We exact technical details for the Q6 e-tron and Macan EV to be very similar, including the use a roughly 100kWh battery and 800-volt electrical system, which in the Porsche should allow for a 5-80% top-up in just 25 minutes if owners use a 350kW ultra-rapid charger. 

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We also learned earlier this year that the Porsche will feature two electric motors – one on each axle – for a total power output of more than 600bhp and over 1,000Nm of torque. The Q6 e-tron should boast similar figures, but we expect they’ll be a high-performance version of the Audi, too, either badged as the SQ6 e-tron or RS Q6 e-tron. In terms of range, we expect the Q6 e-tron will easily cover more than 300 miles on a single charge.

Audi is planning to have 20 fully electric models on the market by 2025, and it intends for them to make up a third of its total sales by that point. The next additions to Audi’s e-tron range of electric cars will be the A6 e-tron saloon and A6 Avant e-tron estate that are set to go on sale in 2023 and 2024 respectively, and use the PPE platform from the Q6 e-tron.