One may argue that this is not the first time we see the next Audi Q6 e-Tron out testing. However, so far, we've only seen the Q6 e-Tron as an SUV. But these new spy shots reveal that Audi is also working on a Q6 e-Tron SUV Coupe known as the Sportback. The new Q6 Sportback will be revealed around six months after the standard E-Tron SUV, with sales expected to commence sometime in mid-2023.

Related: Spy Shots: An Early Look At the Audi RS Q6 E-Tron

New Q6 E-Tron Sportback Details Revealed With New Prototype

2023 Audi Q6 E-Tron Sportback Spyshot
CarPix

This isn't the first time that we've seen the Q6 E-Tron Sportback, but this time, we're actually seeing what is likely a production-ready model. This time around, it does have what we believe to be production headlights and taillights, and it confirms previous suspicions that it will be nearly identical to the Q6 E-Tron SUV in the front and rear design.

Different power stages for the Q6 E-Tron Sportback will be offered, with the RS Q6 E-Tron putting out somewhere in the neighborhood of around 600 horsepower. This falls in line with what Porsche has confirmed for the Macan EV (603 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque), and since the Q6 E-Tron will share the same platform and powertrain, a similar figure just makes sense.

There's still no solid word on when the Q6 E-Tron Sportback will launch, but early 2023 is the ideal timeframe, which means it will likely go on sale as a 2023 model at launch.

Splitting the Difference Between The E-Tron Sportback and Q6 E-Tron

The standard Audi Q6 e-Tron SUV already revealed its front end in a series of previous spy shots, and of course the Sportback version will feature the same design. It will have a huge grille, a front bumper inspired by the recently launched e-Tron sedan, huge air intakes, and the new split headlights - which seem to be a new thing lately.

While the prototype is heavily camouflaged, we can still spot a few design elements. For example, when compared to the current e-Tron Sportback, the future Q6 e-Tron Sportback will feature completely different taillights. Also, the loading edge is much lower, and the third brake light is integrated into the small spoiler and not in the rear window like in the current model, while the rear window goes down lower.

Related: Audi Q8 E-Tron SUV Debuts As A Family Hauler With Nearly 500 Horsepower

Audi Q6 T-Tron Sportback Powertrain And Performance

Just like the future Q6 e-Tron, the Sportback version will be built on the same platform as the future Porsche Macan EV and the A6 e-Tron. We are talking of course about the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) - a modular platform developed exclusively for electric vehicles by Porsche, Audi, and Bentley. It has been rumored many times that, just like the A6 e-Tron sedan, the Q6 e-Tron will be offered with the same powertrain as the A6 e-Tron Concept. The latter featured two electric motors and had a combined power output of 476 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. The concept featured a 100-kWh battery and promised a range of 434 miles, so you should expect similar numbers in the production version too. Also, when compared to the model it replaces, the Q6 e-Tron will offer a more sophisticated drive, that will have air suspension, torque vectoring, all-wheel drive, and all-wheel steering. There will also be an RS version which is rumored to deliver up to 600 horsepower!

Related: Audi RS Q E-Tron E2 Takes Off-Road Competition to the Next Level

Audi Q6 E-Tron Sportback On-Sale Date

Audi will unveil the new Q6 e-Tron before the end of 2022, which means the Sportback version will arrive about six months later with sales to begin in late 2023. According to Audi CEO Markus Duessman, the new Q6 e-Tron will be positioned midway between the Q4 e-Tron and the mainstay zero-emission e-Tron SUV.