The world has two big challenges at the moment. The first is global warming, and the second is that the first one should be checked. For that, the widespread use of EVs is the cardinal step. China, which has another problem of not having any gasoline reserves, smartly has spent more than USD 30 billion to push the case of EVs by way of subsidies and other incentives.
The result is that Beijing, which used to choke earlier, is getting its healthy lungs back. More than 30% of all automobiles in China are running on electric power, except for luxury EVs which are piling up and moving slowly globally.
In India, Mercedes EQE, BMW iX, and Audi Q8 e-tron are hard sell today, and what is sold has lost way more value than its ICE counterpart in the after-sales market. Keeping all the above scenarios in mind, the Audi Q6 e-tron comes with a full tank of oxygen with the right shape, design, tech, range, driving dynamics and, hopefully, at the price point that will move the sales needle.
Today, consumers are nervous about getting a luxury green number plate that costs beyond one Crore. On the one hand, the Volvo C-40 recharge is of great value at the Rs 55 Lakh mark, and the ring is open with no luxury players stretching its range to touch the Rs 75-85 Lakh price point. This is the sweet spot that Audi is aiming for with its Q6 e-tron, which will be available in a few months.
It's a salivating tech proposition that should electrify Audi's portfolio and give the e-tron the muscle power it needs to clear the haystack on its road to electrification. The Q4 e-tron, which is already selling in other markets, does not make for a great price offering after taxes, and it will outprice itself for India, given the current scenario.
DESIGN & TECH
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR KARI FT. EUROGRIP
What happens when you do track days in the name of pushing the limits of a tyre
ROOKIE BLUES
Acosta Urged for Patience as KTM Chases Ducati
THE VALUE OF TIME
Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen
DJI Osmo Action 4
Being an automotive journalist, our job entails us to ride motorcycles of all kinds and not to forget, the life behind driving some exotic set of wheels as well.
WAR WORDS WORLDS
Indians might not have played a deciding role in the previous world wars but now, our participation is much more evident
XTREME MACHINE
Maserati's racing history is a patchwork of epic highs and long absences, so can the MCXtrema - a track only version of its latest supercar-bring back the glory days?
WET AND WILD
No doors, no roof, no boot, but at least there's a windscreen... Paul Horrell pulls on his waterproof trousers and takes the Nomad 2 for a spin
STREAM W0RKS
This is an MG. Yes, really. Turns out it's got form in streamliners too...just ask Stirling Moss
A map and a compass.
Dacia got a foothold in the UK with cheapness, now it wants toughness on its CV. Can the new Duster handle Morocco's heat and locate a Dakar team in the desert - no GPS allowed?
A RECKLESS DEVELOPMENT?
Farewell, V10, this is the new Lamborghini Temerario, a 907bhp V8 hybrid. A worthy Huracán successor, or a misstep from the Italian firm?