New Audi Q6 debuts in China

SAIC Audi has introduced its new Q6 seven-seat SUV at simultaneous ceremonies in Beijing and Shanghai this week, the Chinese-only model – which is based extensively on the Volkswagen Atlas – sporting a new-look Singleframe octagonal grille, horizontal all-LED taillight arrangement, additional technological and luxury features, and the choice of two petrol engines.

Despite the similar name, the Q6 is unrelated to the forthcoming – and Chinese-market only – Q6 e-tron.

Under the bonnet, the Q6 is offered with VAG’s EA888-series four-cylinder turbo-petrol (familiar to the Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Kodiaq and others) developing 195kW/400Nm or a larger EA390-series 2.5-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol unit developing 220kW/500Nm. The latter unit can propel the Q6 to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.

Quattro all-wheel drive is standard across both Q6 powertrains while adaptive damping is offered optionally. The model is available with six alloy wheel designs in diameters ranging from 19 to 21 inches.

Eight body colours are offered across the four-variant Q6 range including Awakening Lion Grey, Crouching Tiger White, Flying Dragon Blue, Fulu Brown, Snow Python Silver and Xuanniu Black, as well as a matte brown hue dubbed Kirin. There are up to 11 interior leather-upholstered themes available across the range.

The Chinese-made Q6 is Audi China’s third model after the Q5 e-tron and A7 L and is its largest SUV offering measuring 5099mm in length, 2014mm in width, 1784mm in height and with a wheelbase of 2980mm – making it larger than the Q7 currently sold in Australia.

With the seats folding flat, the Q6 also offers a capacious luggage area of 2389 litres.

Inside, the Q6 features a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument panel, head-up display, a 10.1-inch infotainment array, and an 8.6-inch screen that controls seat functions including adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage settings.

Audi also offers the MQB-based model with AI Pro technology including intelligent parking assist, adaptive cruise control and seating for either six or seven passengers.

Twelve-way seat adjustment, a Nappa leather-clad steering wheel, LED ambient cabin lighting, retractable cup and phone holders, rear-seat sunshades, and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system are also available through the range.

Marketed as Audi’s “flagship road-jet land plane”, the Audi Q6 is available for order in China from this week with pricing for the entry-grade 40 TFSI quattro Cloud Viewing starting at ¥500,000 ($A106,500) and the top-spec 50 TFSI quattro Lingyun Edition First Release Limited from ¥650,000 ($A138,400).

Audi will also offer in-between Q6 45 TFSI quattro Qiyun and 50 TFSI quattro Cloud Viewing variants.

With PC Auto