Audi Q6: premium Volkswagen Atlas equivalent unveiled for China only

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Audi has announced the latest offering in its China-only vehicle line-up with the arrival of the Q6 large SUV.

Set to be built locally in China as part of a joint venture with MG Motor parent company SAIC, the Q6 will act as a more premium version of the Volkswagen Atlas sold in the US.

The Q6 is based on the MQB platform, unlike the Q7 and Q8 large SUVs which are underpinned by the premium-focused longitudinal MLB architecture, but is still designed with a distinct luxury focus. 

While the Q6 may share its alphanumerics with the Q6 e-tron, the latter is a fully-electric vehicle which is expected to sold to the global market from 2024

The Q6 is understood to be destined for sale in China alone. Chasing Cars has asked Audi Australia for comment on whether the car could be sold locally and we’ll update the story if this is received.

Six- and seven-seat three-row configurations on offer

Audi will offer the choice of seven- or six-seater layouts, with the latter equipped with two captain’s chairs, and all three rows can be trimmed in quilted leather seats.

The exterior design is slightly different from the Q6, with Audi utilising a single-piece LED taillight design and a more narrow appearance at the rear, while the front retains a more familiar single-frame grille design and sharp headlight pairing. 

The Q6 interior is fitted around with a 12.3-inch virtual cockpit in front of the driver, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen designed for multimedia, while an additional 8.6-inch is tasked with vehicle functions such as climate control.

Top-spec models are fitted with a 14-speaker Band & Olufsen sound system, a head-up display, heated and ventilated seats and the boot measures up to  a huge 2398-litre boot.

This ample space is partly thanks to the fact that the Q6 is slightly longer and wider than the Q7 at 5099mm (+22mm) and 2014mm (+44mm) respectively, though the Chinese model is slightly shorter in height 1784mm (-3mm) and wheelbase at 2980mm (-19mm).

V6 engines available

Audi will offer the choice of a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine producing 195kW/400Nm along with a 220kW/500Nm 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine, commonly referred to as the VR6.

It’s not clear what gearbox is used but it’s likely that SAIC will use the seven-speed DSG and on-demand AWD system fitted to the Chinese-market Atlas, which is badged as the Teramont. 

Audi expands within Chinese market

The introduction of another China-only Audi vehicle is part of a concerted strategy by the wider Volkswagen Group to retain its strong presence in the region as home-grown car markers slowly catch up with legacy car manufacturers.

SAIC previously partnered with Audi to build a long-wheelbase version of the A7, and sister brand Skoda has also taken up this arrangement to offer the Octavia Pro.  

Earlier this year Audi brand confirmed it would be building the China-only A8 L Horch – a variant with a wheelbase some 130mm longer than a ‘regular’ A8 L – after revealing that the Chinese market made up over 60 percent of the A8’s global sales.