The Audi Q6 e-tron series represents a significant milestone as the first production models on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), signifying Audi’s evolution into a provider of premium electric mobility. Unveiled at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, Audi introduces a customized version specifically designed for the Chinese market: the Audi Q6L e-tron.
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The electric car will debut as a showcase model at the spring motor show in Beijing, with the series version set for its public unveiling in the fourth quarter of 2024. Following suit with other PPE models tailored for China, the Audi Q6L e-tron will be manufactured locally at a new facility in Changchun, with initial customer deliveries scheduled for 2025.
Distinguished by its remarkable driving dynamics, efficient charging capabilities, and enhanced range compared to its global counterpart, the Audi Q6L e-tron boasts a 105-millimeter longer wheelbase, accommodating a larger battery and enabling CLTC ranges exceeding 700 kilometers. The inclusion of the “L” in the name signifies the elongated wheelbase, synonymous with exceptional long-distance prowess.
For decades, Audi has been crafting “L” models tailored to the Chinese market, such as the A6L and A4L, alongside the Q5L, A8L, and A8L Horch variants. Now, joining the Q6 e-tron family, the Q6L e-tron elevates spaciousness, comfort, and daily practicality, aligning with Audi’s new interior design philosophy to offer an exclusive and generously appointed cabin for passengers.
Embodying Audi’s signature SUV design ethos with a refined e-tron-specific design language, the Audi Q6L e-tron stands out from its global counterpart from the outset. Notably, the reimagined front fascia, featuring an evolution of the Audi brand’s distinctive face, establishes unique character for the China-specific version.
To emphasize the innovative and distinctive exterior design of the Q6L e-tron, exclusive color options will be offered for this China-specific edition. Among them is Lilac Grey, showcased on the exterior model unveiled at the auto show in Beijing.
With its elongated wheelbase and gracefully extended roofline, the side profile exudes elegance and perfect balance. Cutting-edge technologies, especially within the lighting system, herald the dawn of a new era in electromobility for Audi, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to “Vorsprung durch Technik” as a daily reality in China.
The collaborative development of the PPE platform with Porsche, alongside the introduction of the E3 1.2 electronic architecture, represents significant milestones in Audi’s global expansion of electric vehicle offerings. These advancements signify the commencement of a comprehensive revitalization and expansion of Audi’s model lineup.
“With the Q6L e-tron, we are bringing the technological benefits of our new Premium Platform Electric to China. The model underscores our promise to offer electric vehicles in all core segments by 2027,” said Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, during the world premiere at the Beijing Auto Show.
Impressive Range and Charging Efficiency
The Audi Q6L e-tron boasts formidable range and charging capabilities, propelled by potent, compact, and highly efficient electric motors. A newly engineered lithium-ion battery, comprising 12 modules and 192 prismatic cells, delivers a total gross capacity of 107 kWh—an increase of 7 kWh compared to the variant available at the Q6 e-tron quattro launch and the SQ6 e-tron. This configuration ensures a range surpassing 700 kilometers as per CLTC standards.
Utilizing 800-volt technology and boasting a standard maximum DC charging capacity of 270 kW, the Audi Q6L e-tron facilitates swift charging stops. At compatible charging stations equipped with High Power Charging (HPC), up to 260 kilometers of range can be replenished in a mere ten minutes. The State of Charge (SoC) escalates from 10 to 80 percent within just 25 minutes, thanks to this advanced charging infrastructure.
Intelligent thermal management plays a pivotal role in optimizing both charging performance and the longevity of the high-voltage battery within the Q6L e-tron.
Available in two configurations, the Q6L e-tron offers versatility to suit diverse preferences. The rear-wheel-drive version boasts a system power output of 255 kW, prioritizing efficiency and extended range. Conversely, the quattro all-wheel-drive variant delivers a robust 345 kW, ensuring exceptional traction and dynamic driving performance.
Elegance and Progression: Exterior Design
Positioned within the premium mid-size segment, the Audi Q6L e-tron epitomizes spaciousness and comfort for daily use, boasting dimensions of 4,884 millimeters in length, 1,965 millimeters in width, and 1,687 millimeters in height. Its generous wheelbase of 2,995 millimeters ensures business-class legroom in the rear seats.
Leveraging the Premium Platform Electric, the Audi Q6 e-tron model family embodies impeccable proportions, with the L-version standing out for its graceful elongated wheelbase and stretched roofline, lending an unparalleled sense of elegance complemented by its assertive SUV stance. The fluidly contoured surfaces, defined by precise body lines, create a captivating interplay of light and shadow, even when stationary.
The sleek greenhouse seamlessly melds with the robust body, tapering towards the rear where the gently sloping D-pillars merge elegantly with the characteristically shaped body shoulders. The dynamic rear, accentuated by a continuous light strip, exudes a blend of sporty elegance and power, underscoring the Q6L e-tron’s commanding presence.
A defining feature is the sculptural emphasis on the wheels, a core element of Audi’s design DNA, highlighted by a striking line running from the rear lights to the rear doors. The 21-inch wheels, aerodynamically optimized, visually redefine classic surface distribution, with compact openings minimizing disruption to the flat wheel design.
Innovatively integrated flush door handles, a first for Audi, exemplify convenience and modernity. Proximity sensors seamlessly unlatch the locks, allowing effortless door opening with minimal manual effort.
The evolutionary front design of the Q6L e-tron, characterized by its aerodynamically optimized central area, exudes a captivating presence. For the Chinese market, Audi introduces a new front design, featuring a gloss black central element seamlessly integrated into the broader fascia, accentuating the SUV’s horizontal profile and dynamic allure. Large side air inlets and split light units further enhance its determined expression.
Newly illuminated brand logos with four rings, visually linked to the headlights, distinguish the Q6L e-tron’s night design, reinforcing its unmistakable identity as an Audi.
Revolutionary Lighting technology
With the introduction of the Q6 e-tron family, Audi embarks on a groundbreaking journey in electric mobility and lighting technology. The active digital light signature of the electric SUV heralds a new era defined by Audi’s distinctive design and aesthetic prowess.
Enabled by a software module housed within one of the five domain computers of the Audi Q6L e-tron, the active digital light signature represents a technological marvel. In the case of the second-generation digital OLED rear lights, six OLED panels comprising 360 segments dynamically generate new images every ten milliseconds through a specially crafted algorithm.
The seamless integration of light design and cutting-edge technology imbues the Audi Q6L e-tron’s illumination with unprecedented vivacity and intelligence, solidifying Audi’s position as a trailblazer in lighting innovation.
At the front, twelve segments interact with the algorithm to create the active digital light signature, dynamically adjusting brightness levels. Meanwhile, at the rear, all digital OLED segments contribute to maintaining a constant overall light signature, ensuring consistent brightness.
This pioneering technology, debuting in the Audi Q6L e-tron, sets new benchmarks in personalization as well. Offering eight digital light signatures in the Matrix LED headlights’ redesigned daytime running lights and the optional second-generation digital OLED rear lights, the Q6L e-tron allows for unprecedented customization. Switching between signatures via the vehicle menu is intuitive and swift.
Taking lighting design and functionality to unparalleled heights, the second generation of digital OLED rear lights in the Audi Q6L e-tron introduces a new dimension of communication with the surrounding environment.
Furthermore, Audi has fortified its safety features, enhancing the proximity detection function to include the communication light in the new Q6L e-tron. This feature communicates accidents and breakdowns to other road users through a specific static rear light signature with integrated warning symbols in the digital OLED combination rear light during critical driving or traffic situations.
Another notable safety enhancement is the LED light element situated on the lower side of the rear spoiler, projecting the central brake light onto the rear window with utmost visibility when brakes are applied, further enhancing safety on the road.
Tailored Specifically for China: Interior, Infotainment, and Driver Assistance Systems
“The Q6L e-tron will have more differentiation from the global model than ever before, both regarding exterior design and the digital interior experience. The interior of the Audi Q6L e-tron will be more consistently geared towards the needs of Chinese customers than ever before”, said CEO Gernot Döllner.
Alongside an exclusive interior design suite, Audi’s engineers from Technical Development departments in Beijing and Germany have meticulously integrated a plethora of infotainment features catering to customer desires and reflecting the nuances of the Chinese market. Consequently, the vehicle interior evolves into a personalized digital oasis for Chinese drivers and passengers.
Pioneering a new era, a suite of sophisticated driver assistance systems has been exclusively crafted to exceed Chinese customer expectations. Audi is set to unveil a range of driving assistance functions tailored for China in the Q6L e-tron, including the adaptive Driving Assistant Pro and Parking Assistant Pro. Leveraging a comprehensive sensor array comprising lidar, radar sensors, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors, alongside V2X technologies, these functions extend assistance to the driver across a wider spectrum of driving and parking scenarios compared to any prior Audi model. Complemented by features like Reversing Assist, the Q6L e-tron promises unparalleled levels of comfort and safety for Chinese patrons.
At the heart of both infotainment and driver assistance systems lies the newly developed electronic architecture E3 1.2, where ‘E3’ denotes End-to-End Electronic Architecture. Engineered with a forward-looking approach, the architecture aims for future-proofing and standardization. This function-centric architecture revolves around a novel domain computer structure housing five high-performance computers (High-Performance Computing Platform, HCP), orchestrating all vehicle functions, from infotainment to semi-automated driving in subsequent evolutionary stages. With unparalleled computing power, the E3 1.2 is meticulously tailored to meet customer demands.
The development focal point rested on robust and secure networking of domain computers, control units, sensors, and actuators, enabling the mastery of complex systems while maintaining modularity. Additionally, the E3 1.2 boasts seamless, high-speed backend connectivity for Car-to-X swarm data applications and computationally intensive offboard functions, underscoring its prowess in meeting the demands of modern automotive connectivity.
Production in Changchun
The Audi Q6L e-tron and other models designed for the Chinese market, based on the PPE platform, will roll off the assembly lines at a state-of-the-art facility in Changchun. This production hub, serving as the operational center for Audi FAW NEV Company, represents a pioneering venture as the first Audi plant in China dedicated solely to the production of all-electric vehicles. Beyond its manufacturing role, the facility sets benchmarks in digitalization, efficiency, and sustainability practices. Aligned with Audi’s global environmental initiative “Mission: Zero,” the company remains steadfast in its commitment to decarbonization, responsible water management, resource optimization, and biodiversity preservation, extending these principles to the new plant.
Consequently, Audi FAW NEV Company integrates energy-efficient and sustainable technologies across all production domains, with vigilant monitoring ensuring ongoing operational efficiency.
Local production of the Q6L e-tron is slated to commence in late 2024, paving the way for customer deliveries to commence in 2025. Subsequent to this, additional volume models, including versions of the Audi A6 e-tron, are scheduled to join the production lineup from 2025 onwards.
