Audi Q6 e-tron Launches in Korea with Enhanced Power and Efficiency

The 'New Audi Q6 e-tron,' launched by Audi Korea last month, reduces the burden and prejudice associated with electric vehicles due to its energy efficiency and driving stability. The high-speed driving texture and ride comfort are similar to that of internal combustion engine vehicles, and the convenience specifications for the passenger seat are varied.

The New Audi Q6 e-tron is a midsize premium sports utility vehicle (SUV) and is the first Audi model to apply the electric vehicle-exclusive platform 'PPE' developed jointly by Audi and Porsche. Porsche has implemented it in the Macan.

An Audi official noted, 'Typically, as power increases, efficiency decreases, but the Q6 e-tron has improved energy efficiency by 30% and output by 33% thanks to the application of a new platform.'

The tested vehicle is the New Audi Q6 e-tron Performance trim. On the 7th, it drove approximately 130 km from Gwanghwamun in Seoul to Wonju in Gangwon Province. While going through areas with heavy vehicle traffic, frequent stops in the city, highways, winding sections, and slopes, about 20% of the battery was used, and the remaining driving distance was 391 km.

The 100 kWh battery equipped in the vehicle can travel 468 km (504 km in the city, 423 km on the highway) when fully charged. It takes 21 minutes to charge the battery from 10% to 80%, and a 10-minute charge can provide about 255 km (based on Quattro Premium).

The overall driving texture is heavy and stable like that of internal combustion engine vehicles. There is no significant shaking during rapid acceleration or high-speed driving. However, a passenger in the front seat mentioned that there is a unique electric vehicle jerking sensation while driving at low speeds or when frequently braking. When exceeding 100 km/h, low and deep noise from the window frames and road surface does come in, but it is not bothersome.

The New Audi Q6 e-tron Performance delivers a maximum output of 225 kW and a maximum torque of 49.46 kg.m. Its top speed is 210 km/h (safety limit), and it takes 6.7 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h (0-100). Despite being an SUV, it smoothly passes over bumps and uneven sections, as Audi explains that the suspension feature (optional) detects the road surface and absorbs shocks to provide a comfortable ride.

Upon entering the vehicle, a curved display that crosses in front of the driver's seat and a 10.9-inch display installed in front of the passenger seat are noticeable. Various convenient functions such as navigation and entertainment can be controlled separately from the driver's seat.

However, during the test drive, the displays for the driver and passenger frequently synchronized, causing the inconvenience of having to set the navigation again.

In addition to safety specifications such as lane-keeping assist and collision avoidance, there was a sense that the intuitive display operation method, lighting, battery protection system, and thermal management system consider the driver's safety. The vehicle received a top rating of 5 stars from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

Considering the general trend of decreasing electric vehicle prices, the starting price of around 80 million won is somewhat burdensome. The prices by trim are 82.9 million won for the New Audi Q6 e-tron Performance, and starting from 89.9 million won for the New Audi Q6 e-tron Performance Premium. The New Audi Q6 e-tron Quattro Premium and the high-performance model New Audi SQ6 e-tron start from 169 million won and 115.9 million won, respectively.