Given the popularity of the so-called ‘coupe-SUV’ body style, it was inevitable that Audi would launch a Sportback version of its big Q6 e-tron electric SUV. Making its world debut this week at the Paris motor show, the Q6 e-tron Sportback comes in a variety of flavours, including one that officially covers up to 656 kilometres on a charge. That makes it the longest-range variant of the Q6 e-tron yet.
It has a big battery, I take it?
It does indeed. The Sportback is built on the same ‘Premium Platform Electric’ underpinnings as the regular-shaped Q6 e-tron and it uses the same 94.4kWh (net usable energy capacity) battery pack. However, because the Sportback’s design cuts through the air easier - resulting in a lower coefficient of drag (0.26 vs. 0.28 for the standard Q6 e-tron) - it can go further on a charge of that battery than the equivalent Q6 e-tron SUV.
That 656km figure is for the rear-drive Q6 Sportback e-tron performance model, featuring a single 306hp electric motor for a 0-100km/h time of 6.6 seconds. An all-wheel-drive alternative is called the Q6 Sportback e-tron quattro, producing up to 387hp thanks to motors on the front and rear axles. It manages a healthy range of up to 636km.
These core models are flanked by a more affordable entry-level version with a smaller battery on one side and the high-performance SQ6 Sportback e-tron on the other. The former’s 75.8kWh battery (net usable energy capacity) is good for up to 545km on the WLTP cycle. Its rear wheels are powered by a 252hp electric motor for 0-100km/h in seven seconds.
Topping the lineup is the SQ6 Sportback e-tron using the bigger battery and a dual-motor layout for up to 489hp and a range of 607km. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.3 seconds for this model.
Peak recharging speed is 270kW on a suitable DC outlet for most models, though that figure is reduced to 225kW for the smaller battery.
Will the Sportback model drive differently?
Audi says it has significantly redeveloped the front axle for a more agile feeling and more responsive steering. The power steering system has been recalibrated to suit and there’s talk of a rear bias to the performance, even when two motors are fitted. The standard chassis setup includes ‘Frequency Selective Damping’, a semi-passive setup that can alter the amount of damping automatically depending on the frequency of the road undulations the suspension is experiencing. Adaptive air suspension with adjustable damping levels is also available, as in the Q6 e-tron SUV.
I suppose we better talk about the Sportback’s looks...
Well, the car’s appearance is more or less the main reason for choosing it over the SUV model. The changes are remarkably few aside from the obviously more rakish profile. The Sportback gets a new roof from the A-pillar back so it’s 37mm lower. There’s a new rear windscreen to suit, of course, truncated with a lip spoiler incorporating a third brake light. The distinctive ‘quattro blisters’ over the wheelarches are carried over, as is the bluff front end with a closed-off ‘grille’ section. The Sportback will be available with the same high-tech Matrix LED headlights and digital OLED rear lighting allowing owners to alter the appearance of the car’s lights using the myAudi app or the MMI infotainment system.
Any surprises inside the Sportback?
Not that we can see, though the Q6 e-tron’s cabin has proven to be of high quality, to go along with its massive dependence on technology. Audi calls the impressive looking dashboard a ‘digital stage’ and it features a large (11.9-inch) screen for the instrumentation, a 14.5-inch touchscreen and the option of a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front-seat passenger. There’s also an augmented-reality head-up display on the options list, while the Audi assistant system can call on ChatGPT when required. Audi hasn’t released any dimensions for the Sportback so we don’t know how much luggage can fit in the boot.
How much is the Q6 Sportback e-tron in Ireland?
Audi has yet to release prices for the Irish market, but as ever, expect a premium for the Sportback design. For reference, the Q6 e-tron starts from €75,300. First deliveries of the Sportback are projected for early 2025.