The Q6 E-tron is a massively important vehicle for Audi. Starting at £60,515, it represents the very first completely new model from Ingolstadt since the Q4 E-tron arrived in 2021. More crucially, it debuts the Premium Platform Electric, or PPE. This all-new architecture was co-developed with Porsche and will serve as the foundation for a whole slew of upcoming models, including the A6 E-tron, the Porsche Macan Electric, and several unannounced projects.
Positioned squarely in the middle of Audi’s lineup, the Q6 operates as the electric equivalent to the venerable Q5. You can view the PPE architecture as the sophisticated older sibling to the MEB platform utilised by the Volkswagen ID range. It isn’t replacing the older tech but rather spearheading the more premium, technologically advanced side of the showroom.
Efficiency Through High Voltage
A major focus for the engineering team was drastically reducing energy consumption, especially given the rather dire efficiency of the older Q8 E-tron. The new 800V electrical architecture tackles this head-on, allowing for significantly faster charging times while reducing heat loss through higher voltage.
Under the skin, the motors feature a modular design. Essentially, longer motors produce more power. Audi has implemented tighter windings, direct oil cooling, and distinct material changes to boost both power density and overall efficiency. The battery packs share this modular philosophy. The larger option houses 12 modules containing 180 prismatic cells apiece, relying on fewer, larger units than previous models to cut down on internal cabling and connections.
On the road, the car earns a pragmatic 7 out of 10 rating. It boasts clever infotainment and phenomenal ride comfort if you specify the air suspension. This system drops the car 28mm lower than standard coil-sprung versions and can raise it by 45mm for off-roading. Most UK buyers, however, will get frequency-selective passive dampers. It remains a heavy machine with slightly derivative styling, and the SQ6 feels more like a high-end trim level than a dedicated performance variant. Hard to truly love, perhaps, but remarkably easy to recommend.
The Six-Figure Analogue Alternative
While the Q6 charts Ingolstadt’s clinical march towards electrification, another corner of the market is throwing staggering sums at the brand’s analogue past. The brand new RS 5 hybrid costs upwards of €106,200 and delivers 639 horsepower. For roughly the same money, a rather unique alternative has surfaced in the United States: an essentially brand-new, nearly untouched Audi RS 4 B7.
Currently up for auction through Quattro Sport Motors in Worcester, this Avus Silver Metallic saloon carries a melancholic history. The original owner passed away shortly after acquiring the car, leaving it to sit in storage for years. Audi produced roughly 14,000 units of this second-generation RS 4 between 2005 and 2009, offering it in saloon, Avant, and cabriolet forms. At its heart lies a glorious 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8. Fundamentally the same engine used in the original R8, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox, it officially pushed out 420 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque. Real-world figures for these engines often hovered between 370 and 400 horsepower.
Preserving an Era
Reviving a performance car after years of dormancy requires meticulous work. The selling dealer spent four months completely overhauling the gearbox to rectify a factory issue with third gear. Naturally, a myriad of seals, wear parts, and fluids were replaced after its long hibernation.
The visual condition is genuinely staggering. The paintwork shines exactly as it did leaving the factory, and the black leather interior looks entirely uncreased. The bolsters and door sills are immaculate. You can even spot the original factory protective film still clinging to the footwell. To preserve its absolute time-capsule status, the dealer is selling the RS 4 on its 18-year-old original tyres, though a fresh set of Michelins is included in the sale.
Mechanically, the car has a new battery and received a fresh oil change in January 2025. Crucially, compression tests on the V8 came back completely clean. This generation of engine is somewhat notorious for carbon build-up on the intake valves, an issue this specific car has entirely dodged thanks to its lack of mileage.
With days remaining on the auction, bidding has already sailed past €71,500, roughly $82,000. Breaking the €100,000 barrier seems entirely plausible. It presents the modern motoring enthusiast with quite the dilemma. You can adopt the highly efficient, heavily digitised future of the Q6 E-tron, or pay top tier money to keep a pristine slice of high-revving V8 history locked in a garage.
