Audi Q6 prototype spy shots

The Q6 mule was snapped undergoing cold-weather testing in Northern Scandinavia disguised in a stretched Q5 body.

The Q6 will become the fourth SUV in Audi’s line-up, slotting in between the Q5 and Q7, aiming to take a slice of the sports crossover coupe niche created by the BMW X6.

The Audi Q6 will be longer and wider than the Q5, giving it a more assertive and sporty attitude. Its styling is expected to mirror that of the X6, with a chunky, high-riding stance and a coupe-style sloping roof.

While many initially said the BMW X6 answered a question nobody asked, the unique model has proved a success in Europe, where it outsold Audi’s larger Q7 SUV last year.

The X6 is taking a little longer to catch on in Australia, however. Last year, BMW Australia sold 343 X6s, compared with 1343 Q7s from Audi and 2770 BMW X5s.

There’s no word yet on when the Audi Q will launch, although given its early stage of development, it’s unlikely to debut before 2014.