The launch of the Audi Q6 e-tron
Charge Ahead: Audi’s Q6 e-tron Sparks a Revolution
It seemed only right, positively fitting, to witness the unveiling of the Audi Q6 e-tron at none other than Josh Niland’s latest culinary escapade, Saint Peter, tucked into the fabulously refurbished Grand National Hotel. And, by the by, the hotel is set to open soon for overnight stays, where you’ll be ensconced in rooms so posh they practically wear silk cravats. But back to the matter at hand. Audi drivers are no stranger to rubbing shoulders with ambassadors of fine taste like Audi’s Mr. Niland. Audi drivers, you see, have access to quite the selection of ambassadors. In fact, “surf lessons with Stephanie Gilmore” is practically etched onto my bucket list.
Audi has been bestowed with the royal warrant
And as if that weren’t enough of a brush with greatness, it seems the royals themselves are rather taken with Audi’s charms. On their recent jaunt Down Under, Camilla and Charles were spotted swanning about in an Audi, thanks to Audi UK’s royal warrant, bestowed by the king himself! Charles, it seems, rather fancies the Audi e-tron SUV, while young Wills can be seen zipping around in the e-tron GT sports sedan, no doubt causing quite the royal stir.
A muscular design with massage perks
But I digress. Let’s discuss this marvel, the Audi Q6 e-tron. Now, you may mock, but colour is pivotal for me, and this new Q6 on show was decked out in a metallic blue so dazzling it could make a peacock blush. As for the “muscular design,” as Audi calls it, well, who doesn’t admire a set of automotive abs, especially when paired with seats that not only cradle you like a hammock but offer three distinct massages. Yes, three. My pick? The Relaxation mode.
High quality recycled materials
Inside, the Q6 is a veritable treasure trove of refined comfort. There’s recycled high-quality material for the environmentally-minded, and generous surfaces that make one feel as if nestled in a modernist lounge. Audi has tossed in a hefty dose of practicality as well: foldable rear seats for extra cargo, a spacious frunk (yes, that’s front trunk), and ample legroom for five. Need I say more?
A car that communicates to other drivers
Now, what truly delighted me were the lights. Not just any lights, mind you, but eight different “signatures” and one that tells tailgaters ‘breathing room if you please’ by lighting up if they get too close. There’s even a charming triangle pattern to signal other drivers with all the grace of a genteel “careful, dear.” Inside, of course, there’s the latest in MMI wizardry—an MMI panoramic display and an array of screens large enough to launch a space mission.
Yet all that silent zipping about without so much as a rev to announce yourself seems a touch odd, if you ask me, but, if it can save you a pretty penny on petrol, well, who am I to argue? The Audi Q6 e-tron is an electric marvel that’s positively packed with a battery boasting enough capacity to power a small town, or, more precisely, a staggering 100 kWh (with a respectable 94.9 kWh usable for those keeping score). With that, you’ll get a range of up to 625 kilometres.
Sporty Audi
And Audi, bless them, have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure this Q6 e-tron doesn’t fall short of their sporty reputation. The base model puts out a tidy 285 kW, and the SQ6 e-tron, a beast with an “extra function” (whatever that means), cranks up the power to 380 kW, all while consuming next to nothing in terms of kilowatt hours. All of this with a charming CO2-class A rating, which means you won’t be leaving a nasty trail of emissions in your wake.
Audi’s outdone itself, really. For a car that practically communicates on your behalf and cushions you in luxury, the Q6 e-tron is, without a doubt, a royal addition to the road.
The all-new range of the Audi Q6 e-tron starts at$115,500* for the rear-wheel drive Audi Q6 e-tron Performance, with the all-wheel drive Audi Q6 e-tron quattro priced at$122,500*, and finally, the top of the range in the Audi SQ6 e-tron priced at $151,40
(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP]–excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)
