Audi has been caught on camera testing a heavily camouflaged prototype of a more extreme off-roader built on the yet-to-be-introduced Q6 Sportback E-Tron platform.
Initially revealed in March, the Q6 E-Tron is set to arrive in showrooms by next summer. The sportier Q6 Sportback variant is expected to debut around the same time, with prototypes having been seen on the roads, with minimal camouflage, for several months.
The prototype featured in our latest spy images is unlikely to be a standard production vehicle, as suggested by its significant ground clearance, exaggerated fender flares, rooftop storage solution, additional driving lights, and rugged tires, specifically Toyo Open Country Mud-Terrain tires.
It remains uncertain whether this prototype is even aimed at production, or if it is a concept, or a test mule for a different project, possibly in line with whispers about a tough SUV to compete against the likes of the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Several years ago, Mercedes developed a rugged EQC with similar modifications while working on the four-wheel-drive system for its electric G-Class model.
Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4×4 Squared
However, there is a strong possibility that this is indeed a production model. Typically, manufacturers do not test concepts on public roads, and the distinct, nearly production-ready appearance of the front and rear sections implies that this is more than just a test mule. It is plausible that it could be a rugged off-roader to honor Audi’s 2024 Dakar victory with the specially designed RS Q E-Tron.
Earlier this year, Audi introduced a limited Q8 E-Tron Edition Dakar to commemorate its involvement in the Dakar Rally. Only 99 units of this special edition were produced, and it included the same rooftop storage system seen on this prototype.
The conventional Q6 Sportback E-Tron is expected to mirror the design and powertrain specifications of the Q6 E-Tron. This suggests it will feature Volkswagen Group’s 800-volt PPE platform, a battery capacity of 100-kWh (at least in the U.S. market), and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. The entry-level model should deliver 422 hp (456 hp with boost mode), while the performance-oriented SQ6 E-Tron will push 483 hp (510 hp with boost). Additionally, a high-performance RS Q6 E-Tron with greater power has also been seen undergoing tests.
Image Source: Gabriel Nica / Shutterstock
