5.7 seconds in the new Q6 e-tron and 4.3 seconds in the SQ6 e-tron. Increasing power in an electric vehicle is one thing, but the distance you can travel on a charge is equally important, especially here in Canada where the winters are long and can be very harsh. Featuring a 100-kilowatt-hour battery, range is expected to crest 550 km on a charge in the Q6 e-tron while the top range SQ6 e-tron should potentially achieve a high of 580 km (based on current European testing standards). Canadian results are sure to be lower, but even with this fact Audi expects to see the range reach or exceed 500 km, making it a top-performer in the luxury SUV BEV segment. Charging times are also significantly improved with the use of 800-volt architecture that fully-supports fast charging. In real-world driving, the new Q6 and SQ6 e-trons should be capable of charging from 10% to 80% in approximately 20-30 minutes via DC fast charging (up to 270 kW). Standard charging is also expected to improve with AC charging support of up to 22 kW for home or public charging stations. With all this new technology at our fingertips, the only thing left to do was put it to the test on public roads. Both the Q6 and SQ6 e-tron reacted quickly to directional changes, something I experienced on several occasions as we sped past cyclists and joggers on narrow mountain roads that most North Americans would never consider to be a two-lane thoroughfare. One and half at the most, with cliffs to the right, mountains to the left and trees canopying the road on all sides. Steering is perfectly weighted, firming up nicely as speeds build on the main highways, then loosening at lower speeds in the city and towns of northeast Spain. For a vehicle that weighs two and a half tons, it feels composed and light on its
feet. The suspension is equally adept at handling smooth, high-speed surfaces plus the dips and twists we experienced on our drive. Even the rain-soaked cobblestone streets we passed through outside of Bilbao on our way to San Sebastien posed no serious challenge. Inside, the setting is both professional and luxurious. Audi designs their vehicles to be driven and stepping in you are immediately impressed with the attention to detail. Seats are comfortable and almost endlessly adjustable. Bolsters caress your side and legs, holding you in place for those occasions when a little extra speed is required, or you just want to feel rested after a long drive. The dash highlights Audi’s new MMI (Multi-Media Interface) system with two large OLED screens. Located behind the steering wheel, an 11.9-inch digital screen can be adjusted to feature as much information as possible or embrace a more minimalistic approach. In the centre of the dash, a 14.5-inch touchscreen is the infotainment hub. A host of adjustments can be made through a series of menu choices as well as voice command capability has been significantly improved to keep your eyes fixed on the road. The optional 10.9-inch passenger screen, which we experienced in both of the vehicles we drove, is a full-on entertainment hub. It provides the front seat passenger with the capability to use the Android Automotive OS-based navigation system, select from various audio options, check driving range and watch movies in privacy mode so as to not distract the driver. Taken as whole, the new dash design is brilliant. The future of mobility is yet to be determined, but the newest e-tron SUVs from Audi put a stamp on their ability to deliver an all-electric performance vehicle at the highest level. Expect the 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron to arrive later this year.
"Increasing power in an
electric vehicle is one thing, but the distance you can travel on a charge is equally important, especially here in Canada where the winters are long and can be very harsh."
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