2021 just got a bit more exciting for Audi as CEO Markus Duesmann has officially announced that the German auto car giant is releasing an all-electric crossover SUV called the Q6 e-Tron.

The new Audi vehicle will be released in 2022, and is based on the Porsche Macan's technology. It will also share Porsche's PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture. Further, the Q6 has made Audi history. This is because it is the first vehicle during the German car manufacturer's existence to be built on the PPE platform.

It will sit above the Q4 e-Tron SUV, the first Audi model to use the Volkswagen Group's MEB platform, and will be more than one of 20 EVs that the German car manufacturer intends to launch by the middle of the decade.

According to Auto Express, Audi has set the target of one-third of its sales being all-electric by 2025, and the Q6 will be central to the German car brand's product strategy here. It seems a little ambitious at a time when many nations are slow at purchasing electric cars despite the pressure many consumers are feeling from governments across the world to ban gasoline and diesel cars by 2030 at the latest, particularly in the UK.

This new Audi vehicle will be produced in Ingolstadt, with a battery production facility residing nearby.

Nonetheless, there are two cars that could jeopardize Audi's chances of selling a substantial amount of Q6 e-Tron models: the BMW iX3 and the Mercedes-Benz EQC AMG.

The BMW iX3 has been in production in China since 2020, and many Europeans have already purchased copies of the BMW SUV.

Mercedes is also hoping to use its EQC AMG vehicle to squeeze its way into what is becoming an increasingly competitive segment of the automotive market. But which car seems to be the best so far?

Let's find out how much we know about each one. 

How Much Do We Know About The Audi Q6 e-Tron?

Audi Q6 e-Tron
Via Quattro Daily

Because it is based on Porsche's PPE platform, the Audi Q6 e-Tron's powertrain will produce approximately 470 PS (464 hp/346 kW), and the good news for those who are excited about the German car brand's latest addition to its family is that an RS version might arrive later with 636 PS (627 hp/468 kW) of power.

In terms of dimensions, it will be very similar to a regular e-Tron. All PPE-based vehicles will receive 800-volt capabilities and, therefore will be capable of 350 kW DC fast charging. It's possible that the Q6 e-Tron will have over 300 miles of maximum range, though there may be several battery options available, meaning a variety of ranges.

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How Does The BMW iX3 Compare To The New Audi Q6 e-Tron So Far?

BMW iX3
Via BMW Blog

Previous BMW iX3 models have always rivaled the Audi Q6 e-Tron, and that doesn't look set to change any time soon. The good news for Audi is that the iX3 may well prove to disappoint in comparison to the Q6 e-Tron. While the latter can so far boast a top speed of 464 hp, CAR Magazine commented that the iX3's maximum power is an average of 286 bhp.

BMW's iX3 comes with Eco Pro mode, which is designed to quash range anxiety whilst driving this model, and its average consumption is 30.8 kWh/62 miles. According to the WLTP, the official number is 17.8 kWh/62 miles, and this figure corresponds to an average range of 287.5 miles.

If the figures reported so far for the Audi Q6 e-Tron's range are true, then the German car giant has got nothing to fear from BMW. Once the new Audi vehicle has been released, it may well turn out to be the better choice.

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How Does The Mercedes-Benz EQC AMG Compare To The New Audi Q6 e-Tron So Far?

Mercedes-Benz EQC AMG
Via Mercedes-Benz

The news just keeps getting better for Audi as Mercedes-Benz' EQC AMG, which has also competed with previous Q6 e-Trons in the past, may also fail to beat Audi's future model.

Forbes reviewed Mercedes-Benz' latest vehicle and found that its battery range is roughly between 232 and 259 miles, but that depends on road conditions and driving style, with 80% battery capacity reached at a fast-charger in approximately 40 minutes. There is 408 hp too, which sits below the anticipated figures for the Q6 e-Tron.

Assuming that the reports about the new Audi Q6 e-Tron are true, it's reasonable to assume it will triumph over some of its closest rivals. As the electric car market continues to expand, Audi seems to have solidified its place thanks to its ambitious product strategy that aims to provide people with a choice when it comes to electric cars.

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