Audi Q6 e-tron RWD Review: Ushering In a New PPE World
The mid-sized Audi SUV is a demonstration of what the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) chassis is capable of, but the S sport suspension on the RWD is simply too stiff.
The Q6 e-tron boasts several firsts - the first electric model produced in Ingolstadt and also the first EV launched on the PPE chassis.
The PPE is significant because it will underpin virtually all future Audi EVs, so it is an indication of what to expect from Audi in the coming years.
Developed in tandem with Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), PPE is meant to bring Audi bang up-to-date in the fast-moving EV world. It can’t come soon enough, as Audi’s current EV range is limited to say the least.
Other than the pricey flagship Q8 e-tron (which has already disappeared from price lists), the Q4 e-tron was the only other EV Audi model available, finally offering an option on the lower end of the price spectrum. The Q6 e-tron sits right in the middle of the Q4 and Q8.
As usual with Audi, the exterior is very understated and in keeping with the latest models, the Matrix LED headlights have different light signatures to choose from (8 in total). It’s not something you’d notice unless you really stare for a few seconds at the headlights.
The interior is not too different from the Audi A5 Sedan in its execution, and there is little to fault here. Online chatter has criticised the material quality of this interior, but in my mind it’s no worse than what I have seen from the brand in the last few years. In fact, the layout is very intuitive with the core functions all centralised into a panel on the door and on the centre console. There are shortcuts built in between the two screens too. MMI remains rather easy to use and a rare option in the segment is a MMI screen for the front passenger as well, which is standard for all Q6 e-trons.
There are two variants, a dual-motor and a rear-wheel drive (RWD), the latter of which is the one being reviewed here. With 248 bhp and 450 Nm, there is more than enough grunt on the RWD car, sending it from 0-100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds. Power to the rear wheels also suggests some level of dynamism that may be interesting for enthusiasts. The only other RWD Audi model in recent memory is the R8 Rear Wheel Series. So the RWD variant is the sweet spot of the two, especially when the dual-motor costs $76k more.
At least that’s what we thought, until we experienced the S sport suspension, which comes standard on the RWD. Audi’s S suspension tuning for Singapore roads is a hit-and-miss, sometimes being way too harsh while at times being a good compromise between comfort and sport.
On the RWD Q6 e-tron it is more towards the former, with a sharp-edged ride that gets itself noticed way too often. All the good work of the PPE platform gets slightly watered down with much of the unpredictable undulations of the road transferred into the cabin. I’d hazard a guess that it’s a completely different experience in the dual-motor, which is fitted as standard with air suspension. I think it would have been a better choice to fit the RWD with a non-S suspension.
Offering a range of 464 km (543 km on the dual-motor), the drivetrain is said to be 30% more efficient than the first generation e-tron models. Charging speeds differ between the dual-motor and RWD too, the former offering up to 270 kW and the latter 225 kW.
Starting at $337k, the Q6 e-tron sits squarely in the segment of the BMW iX3, Polestar 4 and the Porsche Macan EV. The BMW was our Car of the Year for 2021, but it is long overdue for a replacement now and would feel dated compared to the Audi. The Polestar is an interesting option but ultimately leftfield, while the Macan EV actually sits on the same PPE platform too. However, the Porsche is a whole lot smaller than the Q6 e-tron.
I’d ordinarily heartily recommend the RWD Q6 e-tron as I’ve always believed in a single-motor solution for Singapore driving, especially when it is situated at the rear axle. I also think the RWD model is adequately equipped and quite competitively priced. Compared to its PPE sibling, the Macan EV, the Q6 e-tron is more family-sized. It is a shame then that I cannot fully back the RWD model due to its S sport suspension. That’s one option I’d gladly untick on the list.
Photos by James Wong
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