SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: Audi CEO Says Upcoming Q6 EV Will Be Both Sexy And Sporty

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler has opened up about the all-electric SUV, believed to be badged Q6, claiming it will be “sexy”, “packed with utility” and “sporty.” He also confirmed it will arrive by 2018 – to coincide with big developments in the charging infrastructure.

The model, which was confirmed for production, along with an official sketch, at Audi’s annual press conference last month, will take on the Tesla Model X and offer a range of over 300 miles between charges. “When it comes to a battery electric vehicle it was very clear for us, a range of 500km is a must,” said Stadler, talking exclusively to Auto Express at the Shanghai Motor Show

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TheSteve - 4/23/2015 4:51:39 PM

+1 Boost

I've seen pics of their new styling direction. Sharper creases. Trapezoids. More protuberant gaping-hole grill. Squintier headlights. More stark, and sparse interior. I don't care for it.

I've also see real world examples of their new styling direction in the current TT and newly released Q7. Sharper creases. Trapezoids. More protuberant gaping-hole grill. Squintier headlights. More stark, and sparse interior. I don't care for it.

Assuming their "sexy and sporty" Q6 EV follows suit, I probably won't care for the styling. I hope this new fashion direction is just Audi's sojourn into their own version of "Flame Surface," and then like BMW, fades away into distant memory.

I also wonder if the 500 kilometer (310 mile) range target means under unattainably ideal laboratory conditions, or in North Dakota's winter and Georgia's summer.

Car4Life - 4/23/2015 10:16:36 PM

+2 Boost

In other words the Q6 is Audi's way of saying, "sorry about the new Q7, enjoy this Q6 while we work on an early refresh of that Q7".

TheSteve - 4/24/2015 1:01:59 AM

+2 Boost

I'm under the impression that Audi thinks the brand spankin' new Q7 is a good thing. It's too early to use sales numbers to gauge if the new Q7 be more or less popular than the outgoing model.

Car4Life - 4/24/2015 7:16:16 AM

+2 Boost

Of course you'd get that impression, GM and Pontiac also gave that impression about the Aztek at one time...

I talked to a guy at a local Audi dealer in the Northeast and he said preorders for the new Q7 are down nearly 50% from when the first model was introduced and they are already getting signals for premature incentives...we shall see

TheSteve - 4/24/2015 12:14:28 PM

+1 Boost

@Car4Life: I hear ya :-( In *my* mind, the Porsche Mecan is the most beautiful and desirable "compact" SUV out there. A close second is the 2014/15 Audi Q5. I felt the outgoing Q7 was too truck-like for my tastes, but the styling of the newly released Q7 is very much NOT to my liking!

I believe my taste in cars is atypical, so I see myself as being in the minority rather than assuming a lot of others share my view. But in the case of the new Q7, it appears from what you're telling me that a considerable number of car shoppers share my dislike for it; enough to have a huge decline in orders.