Latest news with #Q6
NZ Autocar
a day ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Electric Mercedes GLC ramps up for September debut
Bold new styling language and a tech-heavy new platform characterise the upcoming EV alternative to Merc's best-seller. And that would be the new electric version of the GLC (with EQ technology). The newcomer will headline the Mercedes-Benz area at the Munich motor show in September. It was spotted earlier this year testing in the Arctic. Meantime, it has been spied on public roads, with less in the way of body camouflage (below). The iX3/Macan/Q6 e-tron rival marks the company's next step in electrification. It is the first passenger Mercedes model to introduce a bold new design language. Historic models have inspired a taller, more upright grille. The designer says it is all about giving future models 'a strong identity'. There will also be an illuminated grille frame, as previewed with the Vision V show car at the Shanghai motor show in April. The electric GLC will also be the first model based on Mercedes's new MB-EA platform. It is a dedicated electric car structure that will also underpin the upcoming electric C-Class. Featuring an 800-volt electric architecture, it will have a maximum charging speed beyond the 320kW of the new, MMA-based CLA saloon. So you can add 260km of range in 10min. The successor to the Mercedes EQC SUV will use a 95kWh battery, giving it up to 700km of WLTP range in rear-wheel drive form. Helping is a new more compact and efficient heat pump. Space saved allows for a 100L front storage area under the hood, adding to the 560L of luggage space at the aft end. That's more space than the ICE power GLC gets. Single motor rear- and dual-motor four-wheel drive powertrains will be on offer. The AWD model will have up to 360kW. An AMG performance monster due in 2027 will come with axial-flux motors and up to 447kW, evidently. The GLC is frequently at the top of the Mercedes' best-seller list and has been since it debuted in 2015. It is hoped that the GLC EV can promote the maker's electric sales in a similar manner. The new strategy also cuts costs as Mercedes builds its EV offerings. The GLC EV is the first car from Mercedes to launch alongside a sibling that's already selling with petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. It's also the first model to use Mercedes' eATS 2.0 drivetrain. A single-motor, rear-wheel drive model with 200kW is currently under development. And finally, on the efficiency front, Mercedes has developed a new brake energy recuperation system, called One Box. The brake pedal is decoupled from the physical braking system. Computers calculate how much regen and how much physical disc braking should be used for the different braking levels. The head of vehicle engineering for the GLC EV, Dominik Voogdt, describes this new development as a 'game-changer' for overall energy efficiency.
Motor Trend
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2025 Audi SQ6 E-Tron First Test: Incredibly Quick, But Otherwise … ?
Pros It's how quick?! Home-charging port on both sides Quickly adds range at fast chargers Cons Slow-acting charge port doors Not as fun as the competition Needs more exterior and interior colors What a breath of fresh air. Where the BMW iX's extroverted design leans too hard into the future and the blobby Mercedes EQE lacks premium proportions, the 2025 Audi SQ6 slices the competition right down the middle. Here's a conventionally handsome electric luxury SUV with 509 hp to transform every green light into an adventure. The road to success should be easy for this Audi, right? Right ? Why We Tested an SQ6 After starting its EV game strong with what became known as the Q8 E-Tron, Audi faltered with the smaller, more affordable Q4. The latter electric SUV didn't initially meet our expectations of how an Audi should feel, and a gaping hole formed between the two. Now, after some delays, the 2025 Audi Q6 and more powerful SQ6 are here, striking at the heart of the market—a comfortably sized five-seat SUV more luxurious than the Q4 but less pricey than the Q8 E-Tron, more or less the electric equivalent to the brand's popular Q5. Instead of a base Q6 RWD's 322 hp or a dual-motor AWD model's 456 hp, the SQ6's dual-motor AWD setup manages 509 hp with launch control. In terms of horsepower bragging rights, the smaller Q4 doesn't come close. SQ6 Tested: A Polestar-Sized Issue The standard Q6 does , however. In our testing, a Q6 AWD sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, a full 0.3 second quicker than Audi's own estimate. The SQ6 follows suit, beating Audi's 4.1-second estimate; in our testing, the SUV hit 60 in just 3.7 seconds. Just a few years ago, that kind of explosive performance would have been reserved for RS models like the RS3 and RS6. One of the SQ6's best features is how that acceleration feels in the real world. In any drive mode, slam that accelerator pedal to the floor, and as the nose of the SUV lifts, you're off. The near-instant rush of acceleration people associate with electric cars is easier to feel here than in the Polestar 3, another similarly priced electric luxury SUV with sporty intentions, and especially compared to the regular Q6 E-Tron. And that electric Polestar is about as quick as the Audi, with a MotorTrend -tested 0–60-mph time of 3.8 to 4.1 seconds depending on model. If your driving thrills mostly happen in a straight line, the SQ6 is a great option. It's when the road starts to curve that we start daydreaming about the Polestar 3. On the figure-eight course, our racetrack-in-a-bottle test, the Audi turned in a respectable performance of 24.7 seconds at 0.80 g (average), to the Polestar 3 AWD's 24.4–24.6 seconds at 0.81–0.82 g (average, from two 3s). But setting the objective numbers aside, the Polestar simply feels more fun and lighter on its feet, which is interesting because it's about 250 pounds heavier than the Audi. As our test crew noted, the SQ6's chassis is composed if you take it down a few notches. But drive it at a faster pace, and the SUV just doesn't feel as fun—it's competent, not captivating. On the road, the SQ6's adaptive air suspension strikes a good balance between comfort and a sporty feel. Just like the SUV's styling itself, ride quality is good enough that you could live with it for years to come. That's true up to the moment you hear the hollow thrumming sound coming from the tires on the highway. There's a partial fix for that, though: Turn up the volume on the Bang & Olufsen sound system, which has a 3D sound feature and headrest speakers. The acoustic front door glass on the top SQ6 trim pairs well with the excellent sound system and adaptive cruise control to make stop-and-go traffic more tolerable. Range and Charge Testing: Hey, Not Bad We know the SQ6 isn't the sportiest or most spacious electric SUV around, and, well, it's also lacking any claims to class-leading range. A 275-mile EPA-rated range is fine, however, and in our Road-Trip Range test—which simulates how you might drive on the highway—the Audi managed 266 miles, nearly matching its claim. Getting that close to the EPA figure is impressive, as is what happens when the Audi is fast-charged. The 2025 SQ6 added back 160 miles of range after 15 minutes in our testing, which will make public charging stops quicker and more convenient. Few vehicles we've run through these tests have added that many miles in 15 minutes. As a bonus, the SUV is capable of 400 kW of recuperative braking—meaning it can pile electrons back into the battery quite rapidly when using the motors to slow itself down, stretching your around-town range. What About Tesla? What about Tesla? With the spacious Model Y SUV, Tesla has produced one of the most popular vehicles on the planet. And the newest model's updates promise improvements at a lower price than the Audi, Polestar, or BMW. What Tesla can no longer provide is a positive status boost you can count on, like most other luxury brands. We're not just talking about the CEO's unpredictable antics but also the sales troubles faced by one of its halo vehicles, the Cybertruck. So if any of the above—or the Model Y's ubiquity— bothers you, it's time to consider other brands. It's Fine. But Is It Fiiine ? We like the 2025 Audi SQ6 a lot; we just don't have much love for it. The design is conventionally handsome but may look too much like the smaller Q4 at a glance. The range is decent in the real world, but that's also true of the competition. We like the real, pull-out door handles and the cargo area's convenient netted cubbies, but what are we talking about here, a RAV4 or a luxury SUV? The SQ6 delivers fantastic acceleration for quick thrills pretty much anywhere. We understand why Audi buyers will be drawn to it, as it's very, very Audi-like, but the BMW's interior feels richer, and the Polestar is more fun to drive. That leaves the Audi right down the middle. We understand the SQ6's appeal, and it is quicker than a run-of-the-mill Q6, but that model more or less delivers the same verve—even without an S badge.
Al Bawaba
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Al Bawaba
Premium Motors recognised for excellence at Audi Middle East Dealer of the Year Awards
Premium Motors, the official Audi dealer in Oman, has been recognised for its excellence at the Audi Middle East Dealer of the Year Awards. The dealership was honoured in the Aftersales Team of the Year category for its outstanding service and customer care, while also receiving the Best Strategic Collaboration award for its instrumental role in the regional unveiling of the Audi Q6 e-tron, Audi's latest all-electric innovation. These achievements underscore Premium Motors' commitment to delivering a world-class Audi experience, from showcasing cutting-edge vehicles to providing exceptional aftersales support. The Audi Q6 e-tron launch, which took place at iconic Middle Eastern landmarks—including Al Mouj complex in Muscat—was a pivotal moment for the brand's electric future. Premium Motors' involvement in this milestone highlights its strategic leadership in shaping the transition to premium electric mobility in this vision is the state-of-the-art Audi showroom in Alfardan Heights, Ghala. Spanning 10,000 square metres, the facility is designed to offer an immersive customer experience, showcasing Audi's latest innovations, including the Q6 e-tron. The showroom's advanced service centre and highly skilled aftersales team ensure that Audi owners receive top-tier care, reinforcing the expertise that earned the dealership its Aftersales Team of the Year award. 'These awards reflect our commitment to excellence across all areas of our business—from launching groundbreaking models like the Audi Q6 e-tron to delivering industry-leading customer service," said Christian Nehme, General Manager of Premium Motors. 'As Audi continues to push the boundaries of electric mobility, we are proud to bring this innovation to Oman and provide our customers with the best automotive experience possible.' For more information, please visit the Audi Oman website at © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba ( Signal PressWire is the world's largest independent Middle East PR distribution service.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Should Audi Produce This Rugged Concept?
Audi reveals Q6 e-tron offroad concept featuring portal axles, increasing its torque at the wheels and enabling it to climb gradients up to 45 degrees. The concept's width has been increased by 9.8 inches, while it's 6.3 inches taller. Ingolstadt has so far avoided EV models geared for off-road use, favoring sportier offerings meant for the road. We all know that portal axles make off-roading at least 100% more fun, but until now we haven't really seen them in an EV from Ingolstadt. Audi has now corrected this oversight by taking the wraps off the Q6 e-tron offroad concept in Kitzbühel, Austria, in the midst of ski season in the Alps, promising entirely new heights when it comes to venturing far off-piste. What kind of heights are we talking about? The ability to climb 45-degree gradients thanks to portal axles that have been fitted to the dual-motor SUV. Audi also widened the track 9.8 inches and raised the ride height 6.3 inches. The custom-designed portal axles give the Q6 e-tron a 50% increase in torque at the wheels, Audi says, up from 20% to 30% in similar set ups, but they also lower the vehicle's top speed to 108 mph. Of course, we weren't preparing to go quite that fast anyway, but that's a small price to pay for the gains in torque. The automaker reports that the combined torque at all wheels rockets up to 9,883 lb-ft, representing a gain of 3,245 lb-ft thanks to the portal axle setup, which required some reengineering of the suspension links. But it appears that Audi has left the rest of the Q6 e-tron Sportback stock, which is powered by a 94.4-kWh battery coupled with an 800-volt architecture. In stock form, the dual-motor Q6 e-tron produces a combined 375 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, with the EPA estimating a 307-mile range for the dual-motor version, while the single-motor model will do 321. As you've guessed by now, these range figures flew out the window after Audi was through with this custom one-off. But Ingolstadt isn't reporting the actual estimated range for the concept. "The Q6 e-tron offroad concept is a reinterpretation of quattro," Audi CEO Gernot Döllner says. "The model shows the potential that our platform for all electric vehicles already has today. This vehicle can claim new ground. We look forward to seeing our customers' reactions to this highly emotive car." But don't rush out to your local Audi dealer to put down a deposit just yet. This is a concept car for now, and given the general demand for portal axles in family EVs at the moment it is likely to remain a one-off effort. Over the years, Ingolstadt has focused less on off-road performance, leaving that up to a few rivals. But at some point the quattro pedigree will require a return to form, perhaps in the manner of an off-road-focused model for deep-pocketed enthusiasts. In the EV era Audi seems to have all the right parts for just such a vehicle, as this concept shows. But when it comes to electric off-roading, Audi parent company VW Group appears satisfied to have the new Scout brand tackle this part of the market. Should Audi produce a limited-edition Q6 e-tron with this off-road hardware, or is this too niche of an offering at the moment? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
