Audi will be the next manufacturer in line to get its own coupe-styled SUV, following the trend set by the BMW X6, Acura ZDX, and Land Rover Evoque. The new vehicle will reportedly be called the Q6. Not surprising, as the swoopy SUV is said to slot between the Q5 and Q7 in Audi's lineup. Also not surprising is the fact that the Q6 is aimed specifically at the BMW X6, which has enjoyed a healthy head start over most of the competition. Now, our spy photographer has captured what might be a Q6 test mule -- cleverly disguised as a Q5, but with a few dead giveaways hinting that it's something much more.
The first thing you'll notice is the extra sheet metal between the front and rear doors, indicating this vehicle has been stretched significantly. Overall, the car looks squatter than your average Audi SUV, despite the tremendous gap between the wheels and fenders. A production Q6 will likely sit lower and feature a wider track than its Q-range stable mates, similar to BMW's treatment of the X6. Based on a report we received in March, the Q6 could be based on the larger Q7's platform rather than the Q5's, as this test mule would have you believe.
This prototype doesn't tell us much about the Q6's styling, but expect a raked roofline and a generally sleeker shape compared to Audi's more conventional SUVs. The Q6 will have seating for five, and most likely share V-6 and V-8 engines with the rest of Audi's SUV lineup. As we reported in March, we also expect a variant of the hybrid drivetrain used on this Audi's corporate cousins, the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg, to land in the Q6.