EV DEBUTS AUDI'S ALL-ELECTRIC FUTURE
The all-new and all-electric 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron quattro might look like its SUV e-tron forebears, but under its taut, aerodynamic skin beats an all-new EV heart. Dubbed the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, it improves charging performance, efficiency and range over Audi's previous all-electric powertrain. The PPE was developed alongside Porsche and will make its debut for that brand in the 2024 Macan EV.
The electric architecture is a blend of all-new hardware and all-new software, the latter called End-to-End Architecture (E3), and according to Audi represents the platform that will fulfil the automaker's promise of offering an all-electric vehicle in all segments by 2027. In addition to providing improved charging and range attributes, the physical makeup of the new platform allows for quicker production times, an essential requirement to ramping up EV technology for mass-production models.
Before we dive into the deep end, here are some of the performance specs Audi released surrounding the mid-size Q6 e-tron quattro and the SQ6 e-tron quattro, the hotted-up version of the base model. Range as measured on Europe's WLTP standard is 625 kilometres, which should translate to an EPA range nudging 500 km. Power output for the Q6 is 258 kilowatts (382 horsepower); 380 kW (509 hp) for the SQ6. The zero-to-100km/h gallop for the Q6 is reported to be 5.9 seconds. Inside the completely fresh-sheet cabin is a new digital display based on that E3 architecture consisting of an 11.9-inch driver display and a 14.5-inch centre display, which is curved slightly toward the driver. The cabin looks and feels spacious thanks to flat-floor architecture, and a frunk adds 6.4 litres of cargo space.
The idea behind Audi's E3, or End-to-End architecture, was to develop a future-proof and standardized computer framework. It uses five on-board computers to control and monitor all vehicle functions, including driving inputs, infotainment and semi-automated driving. Think of it as the brain and nervous system that connects and allows the vehicle's hardware and software to communicate. This represents Audi's most powerful computing system ever installed in a vehicle.
The Premium Platform Electric (PPE) partnership between Audi and Porsche targeted a complete rethink and redevelopment of the high-voltage battery, with the goal of packing more energy into a smaller package. They achieved that with a combination of a new physical 100 kWh battery pack — featuring 12 modules with 180 prismatic cells — an improved thermal management system, an all-new 800-volt architecture, and an equally new and advanced electronic architecture (E3). So, big hardware and software upgrades. While all of these play a role in achieving the objective of longer range, quicker charging and better efficiency, at the heart beats that new battery. First off is that the design of the new high-voltage battery sees the manufacturing time of each pack fall from two hours to 55 minutes. Music to a production manager's ears. As to the battery itself, those 180 prismatic cells are much larger than the outgoing Audi battery's cells — the Q8 e-tron's 114 kWh pack has 432 cells — and that bigger size translates to higher range and improved charging performance.
The maximum charging power for the 100-kWh battery is 270 kW, and according to Audi can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes at a fast-charging station. That, of course, is under ideal conditions, and as anyone who has charged an EV at a public charging station, fast or otherwise, can attest, take that time frame with a grain of salt.
One of the most innovative aspects about this battery is the so-called bank charger, where the 800-volt battery is divided into two batteries of equal voltage, and when plugged in at a charging station with 400volt technology can be charged in parallel up to 135 kW. This results in a quicker and more efficient charge. Note that this only works on a 350-kW charger, so this is a bit of future proofing for lower grade charging systems.
This being an Audi, driving dynamics were as important to engineers as creating an innovative battery. And they put a lot of brain power and work into developing the Q6 e-tron quattro's chassis, with most of the systems and components all newly developed. For example, a redesigned front axle features an Audi-first of positioning the control arms in front of the suspension arms, which has the dual benefit of creating more space for the high-voltage battery pack while also improving the performance of the suspension itself. There was also a concerted effort to ensure a rear-biased torque distribution, which works even under full load. To enable this, which provides more grip and heightens driving performance, the Q6 e-tron quattro's rear tires are wider than those up front.
The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron quattro and the 2025 Audi SQ6 e-tron quattro are available to order now and will begin deliveries in the summer.