Audi's first EV developed with MG owner unveiled
When is an Audi not an Audi? When it's the
AUDI E5 Sportback
, of course.
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News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Audi SQ6 review finds new benchmark for the brand
About four years ago we had our first drive of the Audi e-Tron. The experience was underwhelming. Cool tech, but below par range and a hefty price tag, yet the early effort has paved the way for rapid improvement. You'd expect nothing else from the prestige German marque that sits under the Volkswagen group umbrella. Audi's e-Tron garage is surging past 10, with the latest additions a Q6 pair. The standard Q6 and sportier SQ6 arrived earlier this year with prices starting from about $126,000 on the road for the single motor variant. The Q6 comes with big expectations as the full electric version of the outstanding Q5 SUV. Riding on a platform co-developed with Porsche, which is also used by the Macan, foundations don't come much better. Our family sampled the SQ6 derivative, which requires an investment of at least $163,000 once on-roads are settled. What do you get? With a trio of screens which stretch across the dash, the SQ6 immediately feels like a technological tour de force. The driver has a configurable 11.9-inch display, in the centre of the dash sits a curved 14.5-inch touchscreen, while there is also another 10.9-inch display for the passenger. The latter enables those riding shotgun to control the infotainment, find destinations via the satnav, watch YouTube or search on the web (the driver can't see it when in motion courtesy of a 'curtain' function). Another inclusion is augmented reality head-up display for the driver, which showcases the changing speed limits that come at you like small frisbees, the digital speed readout gets larger the quicker you accelerate and also overlays maps to avoid the driver looking down. Games are also available, handy for those bored while charging … not that you'd be hanging around too long, it can shift from 10 to 80 per cent full in about 20 minutes using a high power (DC) charging station. You can add about an hour to that to get the same result at more common rechargers. A wallbox at home would take more than 15 hours. A one-year subscription to Charge-Fox networks is complimentary. Other nice standard kit includes a panoramic glass sunroof, massage function for front seats, leather trim, wireless phone charger, heated front and outer rear seats, 21-inch alloys, tri-zone aircon and a 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo. Our test car had the back exterior package that added $2100 and front head restraint loudspeakers for $950. Audi's standard five-year warranty applies, but battery coverage is eight years. A servicing pack is available for $2080 for six years, with long servicing intervals of two years or 30,000km. How was the drive? Beautifully composed and quiet, the SQ6 represents the new electric benchmark for Audi. Despite being the performance-orientated derivative, it boasts outstanding serenity and smoothness across varying surfaces. While serene in most circumstances, when dynamic mode is selected and launch control is engaged, the 2425kg SUV can rip from standstill to 100km/h in a rapid 4.3 seconds. Most buyers would rarely flex that muscle, yet it's wonderfully punchy when the driver exercises their right ankle. Adaptive air suspension delivers the impressive ride performance, automatically adjusting the SQ6's height and damping characteristics based on driving conditions. When pushing hard the weight and top-heavy nature of the SUV can be exposed. Most drivers wouldn't get close to the SQ6 limits and, for the most, the steering is linear and accurate, with composure personified during rural drives, in traffic or on the highway. The big battery provides range of more than 560km, and our consumption was 21.6kWh/100km. Would you buy one? Kel: Beautifully put together, while the SQ6 is slightly larger than my daily needs dictate, it was easy to drive and operate, despite having so much tech at your fingertips along with the amazing ride. I'd be sceptical whether you would use a lot of the various tech inclusions after the initial novelty wore off. Collectively it was almost too clinical for me, with a hefty outlay for a lot of functionality I'd forget about over time. Grant: Audi has really upped its game with the Q6 and SQ6. With the SQ6, the asking price is similar to a Porsche Macan Electric 4S, and also pits it against the BMW iX xDrive45, Lexus RZ 450e, Mercedes-Benz EQC and Polestar 3. Outstanding technology dictates the price, which makes it a fine choice for those who embrace the latest and greatest.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Best EOFY 2025 luxury car sales in Australia
Promotions can be a sensitive subject for prestige brands keen to protect resale values - and their relationship with existing customers - by playing it cool during end of financial year deals. Don't expect brands to make a huge song and dance about slashing thousands from desirable models - discounts are sometimes done quietly, almost on an individual basis. But you can find advertised promotions on models with great inclusions, accessories, service packages and more. LUXURY CARS Alfa Romeo: The glamorous Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti can be yours for $69,990 drive-away - about $12,000 off - while the Giulia sedan is $59,990 drive-away (save about $15,000). Audi: Promotional prices from Audi include the Quattro Q5 45 TFSI for $92,990 drive-away, a discount of almost $10,000. Look for deals on the new Q3, which is due to be replaced soon and can be had with heaps of extras for $60,900 drive-away. BMW: Competitive finance from BMW allows you to drive away in a 1-Series hatchback for $118 per week, or an X1 SUV for $130 per week, paying a 3.99 per cent comparison rate. The brand also has zero-deposit finance with deposit contributions on a range of models. Mercedes-Benz: The compact Mercedes-Benz GLA SUV is available in a City Edition that delivers extras for about $6000 less than the price of regular models, while the larger GLE Night Edition has black 22-inch wheels and black exterior trim for $139,900 drive-away. Genesis: Hyundai's luxury arm is offering $7000 deposit contributions and $2000 odd delivery fees on models financed in-house.
ABC News
4 days ago
- ABC News
F1 Australian Grand Prix confirmed as first race of the 2026 championship
Formula 1's new era will begin in Melbourne after the Australian Grand Prix was confirmed as the first race of the 2026 season. F1 will go through a massive change in 2026, with the introduction of Cadillac as the 11th team on the grid, as well as an overhaul of the sport's technical regulations. Audi will also make their debut in F1, taking over Sauber at the end of 2025. The 2026 Australian Grand Prix weekend will be held at Albert Park from Thursday, March 5 to Sunday, March 8. Melbourne's Albert Park circuit hosted the opening round of the 2025 season, with the estimated weekend attendance of 465,498 becoming a new record at the venue. "The Formula 1 calendar announcement is always an exciting moment, and in the coming weeks we will be sharing on-sale dates for tickets to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2026, which we know will be eagerly anticipated," Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Travis Auld said. "There is something special about being the first race of the season, and we're looking forward to sharing that with hundreds of thousands of fans once again in 2026." F1 released the full 24 weekend calendar on Tuesday, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to be the season finale on December 6. Madrid is the newest addition to the circuit list, with Italy's famed Imola circuit, home of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, falling off the calendar. F1 has had 10 teams on the grid since the 2013 season. The introduction of Cadillac and Audi as teams highlights the popularity F1 has enjoyed over the past decade. American auto giant Ford will also rejoin F1 for the first time since 2004, partnering with Red Bull on their powertrains. McLaren driver Lando Norris won this year's Australian Grand Prix, ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes driver George Russell. Hometown hope Oscar Piastri, who leads the F1 championship heading into this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, spun late and finished ninth in Melbourne.
