This Is Proof Audi Is Building A Q6 e-tron

It’s no secret that Porsche is building an all-electric version of the best-selling Macan that will use the new scalable Premium Platform Electric platform being co-developed by Porsche and Audi. The new architecture will be designed for high-volume SUVs and crossovers, and just last week, a new report claimed this platform will also underpin a new Audi electric SUV called the Q6 e-tron.

Whereas the e-tron GT is effectively the Porsche Taycan’s sibling, the Q6 e-tron will be Audi’s equivalent to the Porsche Macan. The Audi Q6 e-tron may just have been a rumor before, but we now have proof that work has already begun on the midsize electric SUV as our spies have caught Audi testing a prototype of the new eSUV for the first time.

Unfortunately, the foggy conditions weren’t ideal, making it difficult for our spies to get clear photos, and since development is still at an early stage, the prototype is fully camouflaged. But, we still get a good look at the SUV’s proportions.

We can see the Q6 e-tron will be around the same length as the Q5, making it larger than the Q4 e-tron and smaller than the standard e-tron SUV while offering as much cabin space as the larger Q7. Although the Q6 e-tron is still early in development, the prototype appears to be fitted with production headlights. On the other end of things, the taillights appear to be fake. Air intakes on the front bumper are also visible along with the lower air intake. Elsewhere, a charging port is fitted to the left fender, but there will likely be one on each side.

Performance and range specifications remain unknown. Electric cars utilizing the Premium Platform Electric will support 350-kilowatt fast charging and a driving range of up to 300 miles. It should offer more range than the larger e-tron, which travels 204 miles on a charge according to the EPA.

As for the performance, the Macan Electric Turbo is expected to feature a dual-motor setup producing around 700 hp and 750 lb-ft of torque, so the range-topping Q6 e-tron could have a similar powetrain. The Audi Q6 e-tron is expected to debut in 2022 and go on sale for the 2023 model year, followed at some point by a coupe-style Sportback variant.