SPORT FOR ALL?(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 46

In the Q6 Sportback e-tron, Audi provides us with a sportier-looking version of its mid-sized electric SUV. A body shape that has the added benefit of extending driving range, though slightly at the expense of boot space. Could this be your ideal Q6 e-tron body style?

Background word count: 105

Two cars. One platform. One shared package of engineering. Yet in perceived appeal, the Audi Q6 e-tron and the Porsche Macan Electric could hardly be further apart. Here though, is the model that narrows the gap between these two VW Group mid-sized premium electric SUVs; the Q6 Sportback e-tron. If you know anything about modern Audis, you'll know the formula here; same car, swoopier swept-back body shape. We've already seen it with Sportback versions of the combustion Q5 and the old electric Q8 e-tron. Provision of this sportier body shape though for the Q6 e-tron might just be more significant. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience word count: 267

There are of course no handling or drivetrain differences with this Sportback variant. So, as with the SUV, the line-up kicks off with two rear-driven models. One is an entry-level variant using a smaller 83kWh battery (75.8kWh of it usable), which goes up to 339 miles between charges. It puts out 252PS (or 292PS with launch control) and makes 62mph in 7.0s. The other version, badged 'performance', uses a larger 100kWh battery (94.9kWh of it usable) and offers the longest drive range in the line-up - as much as 411 miles (10 miles more than the equivalent SUV version). It puts out 306PS (or 326PS with launch control) and makes 62mph in 6.6s. Beyond that is the quattro 4WD version, also with the 100kWh battery, which manages up to 398 miles of range. It puts out 428PS (or 462PS with launch control) and makes 62mph in 5.4s. Much the same powertrain also features in the top SQ6 Sportback e-tron, but here the motors are tuned to deliver 490PS (or as much as 517PS with launch control engaged). Which takes the car to 62mph in just 4.3s en route 143mph. Range from the same battery falls only slightly to 373 miles (due to wider tyres). If that's still not fast enough, talk to your dealer about the forthcoming RS Q6 Sportback e-tron model, expected to produce over 600PS. The dual motor powertrain in the quattro and SQ6 Sportback e-tron AWD variants features a rear-based torque distribution system; and different front and rear motor sizes mean that different amounts of power can be sent to each axle as required.