Plugged-in Audi Q6 goes coupe-swoopy with new Sportback

Having debuted the standard model in March, Audi has used the media day of the Paris Motor Show to officially debut the Sportback versions of the Q6 and its SQ6 performance sibling.

Dropped roofline

Essentially the coupe versions of the mentioned models, the Sportback differs by way of the sloping roofline and fastback rear facia that has resulted in overall height drop of 37 mm.

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Still based on the Porsche-developed Premium Platform Electric (PPE), the Q6 and SQ6 Sportback retain the dimensions of their siblings, but as a result of the lowered roof, with reduced boot space of between 511-litres and 1 373-litres with the split rear seat folded.

Comparatively, the standard Q6 offers-up between 526-litres and 1 529-litres. Unchanged though is the additional 64-litres of space underneath the bonnet.

Besides the difference in bodystyles, the Q6 and SQ6 Sportback are both otherwise identical to their siblings in the usage of the sealed Singleframe grille, the optional digital active LED headlights, standard OLED taillights and the S specific exterior in the case of the latter.

Same inside

Inside, the interior carries over without specific changes, thereby retaining the 14.5-inch MMI infotainment system, the 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster and the optional 10.9-inch display on the passenger’s side.

Conforming to what Audi calls the “digital stage” by omitting the majority of physical switchgear, the rest of the Sportback’s minimalist interior involves the fitting of the same tech options, namely the augmented reality Head-Up Display, contoured ambient lighting and a 20-speaker, 830-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Similar to the normal Q6 and SQ6, the Sportback’s interior is made largely out of recycled materials, with the same applying to the material options and veneers.

Underneath and up front

Underneath, the 800-volt PPE platform’s only change involves retuned frequency selective damping shock absorbers for the Q6 Sportback, a redesigned front axle for both variants and new axle kinematics Ingolstadt claims has improved overall vehicle agility and turn-in.

On the power front, three outputs and two battery sizes feature, one unique to the Sportback and the other shared with the regular Q6.

Commencing the range, the entry-level rear-wheel-drive produces 225 kW thanks to the single electric motor being driven by an 83-kWh battery pack.

The claimed top speed is limited to 210 km/h with Audi reporting a 0-100 km/h sprint time of seven seconds with launch control engaged. The claimed range is 545 km.

Upping the ante, the single-motor 95-kWh battery in the Q6 Sportback 55 develops 225 kW, which results in a top speed of 210 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds with launch control present. The claimed range is 656 km – the most of any model.

With the same size battery but a secondary electric motor included, the 55 quattro offers-up 285 kW, the same limited top speed, a 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds and a slightly reduced range of 636 km.

Finally, the dual-motor setup in the SQ6 delivers 360 kW, which will see it get from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. Limited to 230 km/h, the SQ6 will do 607 km between trips to the plug.

Similar to the standard Q6, the Sportback supports DC charging up to 225 kW in the base rear-wheel-drive, 260 kW in the 55 variants and 270 kW in the case of the SQ6.

All three support AC charging up to 135 kW, though no waiting time was divulged.

Approval awaited

Now available for ordering priced from €71 600 (R1 370 881) to €96 200 (R1 841 882) in Germany, both the Q6 Sportback e-tron and SQ6 are uncertainties for South Africa despite the standard model being under consideration.

Should approval be given, expect it to arrive sometime next year or even in 2026 depending on when an announcement is made by Audi South Africa.

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