China-only Audi Q6L e-tron launched with Huawei tech onboard

03 June 2025

FAW Audi officially launched its latest electric SUV, the Q6L e-tron, at the 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Auto Show. This new model is important for the company since it's the first time the well-known German luxury brand Audi has officially teamed up with Chinese tech giant Huawei.

The Q6L e-tron is built on the PPE pure electric platform - a dedicated foundation for electric vehicles. Audi is quite proud of this new creation, claiming it has "five kingly strengths," covering technology, safety, how it drives, comfort, and its looks.

A big part of the "technology" strength comes from Huawei. The SUV features Huawei's Qiankun Intelligent Driving system, specially tweaked for the Q6L e-tron to work hand-in-hand with the car's underlying PPE platform. This system uses two LiDAR sensors and advanced cameras that work together to give the car a very detailed view of its surroundings. This setup is designed to improve the car's self-driving abilities, with a special focus on Chinese driving habits.

When it comes to power and range, the Q6L e-tron uses an 800-volt electrical system. Audi says the new SUV can handle a maximum charging power of 270 kW, and it boasts a claimed CLTC range of 475 miles on a single charge. While real-world range can vary, this figure certainly puts it among the leaders in its class of electric SUVs.

Safety is another of the proclaimed "kingly strengths." The vehicle features what Audi calls a racing-grade cage safety body, designed to protect occupants in a crash. The battery, a critical component in any EV, has its own redundant thermal management system to keep it cool and operating safely. It uses a 1000-volt insulation system and has reportedly undergone tough tests, including being hit from below, dunked in water, set on fire, and tested for long-term durability.

Audi has a reputation for making cars that are enjoyable to drive, and they say the Q6L e-tron carries on this tradition with its "German handling genes." The company states the vehicle's electric tuning aims for a ride that is "tiring to drive and not dizzying to sit in." This rather confusing (if translated correctly) phrasing suggests a focus on making the car engaging for the driver while ensuring passengers remain comfortable and don't feel queasy.

The exterior could be described as powerful and sporty, featuring an extended wheelbase and short overhangs at the front and back. Upfront, it has a closed dot-matrix grille, which is typical for EVs since they don't need as much air for cooling as gasoline cars. It also sports customizable LED daytime running lights and even a glowing four-ring Audi emblem.

Inside, screens dominate the dashboard. There's an 11.9-inch display for the driver, a larger 14.5-inch central control screen for infotainment and vehicle settings, and even a 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger. To top it off, an 88-inch augmented reality head-up display (AR-HUD) projects information onto the windshield.

In terms of size, the Q6L e-tron measures 192.3 inches in length, 77.4 inches in width, and 66.7 inches in height, with a generous wheelbase of 117.9 inches. This is where the Chinese Q6 earns its 'L' moniker - it is 4.45 inches longer, 1.02 inches wider, 0.35 inches taller, and it has a 3.78 inches longer wheelbase than its European cousin, the Q6 e-tron.

FAW Audi is clearly aiming high with the Q6L e-tron, hoping it will set a new standard in the luxury electric vehicle world, especially with its blend of Audi's automotive experience and Huawei's tech smarts. To sweeten the deal during the current pre-sale period, customers who order one can get various perks, including a luxury equipment gift said to be worth up to RMB 60,000 (around £6,300).

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