It has begun. We're talking about the development phase of the Audi Q6 which will expand the firm's Q series of crossover models and offer the Ingolstadt-based automaker a direct challenger to BMW's successful X6, as well as to the equivalent model that's being planned by Mercedes-Benz.

The prototype seen here is an early engineering test mule sporting an elongated version of the Audi Q5 platform architecture (notice the wider B-pillar on the modified Q5 body), and has been developed to evaluate the Q6's underpinnings and mechanical hardware.

Being that this test mule wears the skin of the Q5, there's nothing to comment about its appearance. However, the actual Q6 is expected to take on a more dramatic look than the Q5 featuring a coupe-like roofline and a sharper rear end design.

It's still early to talk about the engine range but we expect a mix of turbocharged four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines in both diesel and petrol formats, along with a hybrid model to be on offer.



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