Audi has recently unveiled a thrilling off-road concept, the Q6 e-tron offroad, showcasing the potential of its electric vehicle platform. The prototype, revealed at the world cup weekend in Kitzbühel, Austria, is a dramatic reinterpretation of Audi’s iconic quattro technology.
Key Features and Innovations
- Portal Axles: A standout feature of this concept is the newly developed portal axles. These axles are integrated into the wheel hub assemblies at the front and rear. Unlike conventional portal axles that increase torque by 20 to 30 percent, Audi’s new design achieves a 50 percent increase in torque at the wheels.
- Increased Torque: The portal axles increase the combined torque at all wheels (10-second peak) to 13,400 Nm (9,883 lb ft), a total increase of 4,400 Nm (3,245 lb ft). This enhances the vehicle’s off-roading capability.
- Climbing Ability: With the new portal axle design, the Q6 e-tron offroad concept can climb gradients of up to 100 percent, which is equivalent to 45 degrees.
- Performance: The vehicle is equipped with two electric motors that have a combined power output of 380 kW. The design of the portal axles, while enhancing torque, does lower the top speed to 175 km/h (108 mph), which is considered adequate for an off-roader.
- Enhanced Stance: The Q6 e-tron offroad concept has a striking appearance due to a 160 mm (6.3 in) increase in ride height and a 250 mm (9.8 in) wider track. This contributes to its spectacular and robust look.
- Platform: The concept car is based on the Audi Q6 e-tron, which is the first production model built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). The Q6 model series is designed to be a reference point for electric performance, range, and efficiency.
A Vision of the Future
According to Audi CEO Gernot Döllner, the Q6 e-tron offroad concept demonstrates the potential of their electric vehicle platform. This model “shows the potential that our platform for all-electric vehicles already has today”. He noted that it “can claim new ground”, and Audi looks forward to seeing customer reactions to this new vehicle. The vehicle’s development began by asking a fundamental question: “How can we create a highly emotive electric vehicle?”. This resulted in the innovative portal axle system.
Upcoming Showcase
The Audi Q6 e-tron offroad concept is set to be showcased in action on February 1, 2025, at the F.A.T. Ice Race. It can also be viewed on Audi Sport’s social media channels.
The Q6 e-tron offroad concept represents a significant step for Audi, blending electric power with rugged off-road capabilities, promising a new era of driving excitement.
