Audi introduces cheaper Q6 e-tron with smaller battery

Audi has launched a new base model, the Q6 e-tron, which slots in below the Q6 e-tron Performance. It has a single motor on the rear axle and a new, smaller 83 kWh battery. This brings Audi’s mid-size electric SUV’s starting price down to below €65,000 in Belgium while still offering a WLTP range of over 500 km.

While the Audi Q6 e-tron was initially launched as a quattro (285 kW/388 hp, 100 kWh) and as an SQ6 quattro (380 kW/517 hp, 100 kWh), cheaper rear-wheel-drive versions are entering the range, bringing down the starting price. First was the Q6 e-tron Performance (240 kW/326 hp, 100 kWh), and now, there’s the base model, named Q6 e-tron.

Smaller battery, still over 500 km WLTP range

This version gets a slightly less powerful electric motor on the rear axle, delivering 215 kW/292 hp and 450 Nm of torque. But more importantly, the battery has shrunk from 100 kWh to 83 kWh, bringing down the weight to 2.2 tonnes. It still offers up to 533 km of WLTP range, compared to up to 641 km for the Performance and 625 km for the Quattro models.

Performance is still sufficient, with a 0-100 km/h sprint in precisely 7 seconds (compared to 6.6 seconds for the Performance), while the top speed is limited to 210 km/h. Charging is also pretty rapid, with up to 225 kW of fast-charging power, bringing the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 21 minutes.

Under €65,000

Thanks to these slightly more modest specifications, the base model Audi Q6 e-tron has a Belgian starting price of €64,650, compared to €69,300 for the Performance and €75,900 for the Quattro. You get the Advanced spec with 18-inch wheels, LED lights, Magnet Grey paintwork, and the large dual-display digital dashboard for this price. This cheaper Audi Q6 e-tron is available to order now.

Should the Audi A6 e-tron and Porsche Macan follow?

The technically related Audi A6 e-tron unveiled just over a week ago, will likely get the same base-level powertrain to lower its price while still offering adequate range thanks to its slippery shape. It remains to be seen if Porsche wants to go down the same route with its Macan EV on the same PPE platform.