This is the Audi Q6 40 TFSI Quattro, a China-only SUV, not to be confused with the Audi Q6 e-tron, which is a completely different car. I met this black example in the summer of 2023 in the Chinese capital Beijing.
The Audi Q6 is a China-only 3-row luxury SUV. It is manufactured by SAIC VW-Audi. Production began in 2022. Traditionally, Audi’s for the Chinese market have been produced by FAW-VW, but in 2021 the Volkswagen Group China started making Audi models at SAIC-VW as well. Currently, SAIC VW-Audi makes the Audi A7L, the Q5 e-tron, and the Q6.
The Audi logo at the D-pillar.
The Audi Q6 is based on the MQB EVO platform. This platform also underpins various other large China-made Volkswagens, including the Volkswagen Teramont, the Talagon, the Tavendor, and the Viloran.
Audi calls the Q6 a “land jet”, for its luxury, size, and speed. The design is interesting, a bit wilder than most Audi’s, with gray trim and black wheel arches. The designer was Yan Siming, who has since moved on to Huawei.
The interior is typical Audi, gray gray gray and gray. It has a 12.3-inch driver’s display, a 10.1-inch touch screen, and an 8.6-inch screen that controls the AC. The Q6 is furthermore equipped with a B&O sound system with 14 speakers.
The Q6 is available in seven-seat (pictured) and six-seat versions. It is a large vehicle: 5099/2014/1784, 2980.
Audi offers two engine options:
- 40TFSI Quattro: 2.0 turbo with 231 hp and 370 Nm, 7-speed DCT, AWD. The top speed is 207 km/h and 0-100 takes 8.6 seconds.
- 45TFSI Quattro: 2.0 turbo with 265 hp and 400 Nm, 7-speed DCT, AWD. The top speed is 207 km/h and 0-100 takes 7.6 seconds.
The Q6 has a big 70-liter fuel tank. The trunk, however, is tiny for such a large car. With all seats up, the luggage space is only 286 liters. With the second row and third row down that goes up to 2398 kilo.
Character time! 上汽奥迪, Shàngqì Aodí, SAIC Audi.
With the Q6, Audi wanted to compete in the luxury SUV segment in China. However, most of its Chinese competitors offer EV and/or EREV power trains, making the Q6 outdated even at launch. Sales have been extremely slow, with about 350 units on average. That makes the Q6 is rather rare Audi and this one was only the second example that I’d ever met in China.
I don’t think the Audo Q6 will stay around for a very long time. The grille is truly impressive in all of its complexity, with the sporty ‘quattro’ lettering underneath. Well, it was a nice try!