While EVs have already established a niche in the
crossover space
, they still have yet to prove themselves when it comes to off-road potential. Sure, we’ve seen some incredibly high-tech offerings in the
Hummer EV
, the Tesla Cybertruck, and the
Rivian R1T
, but there remains a clear preference among enthusiasts for existing ICE offerings — all the more so once you hit the dirt. Eager to challenge the narrative of electric off-road potential, Audi
just built this badass concept based on a
Q6 e-tron
, of all things.
Audi
Divisions
Audi Sport GmbH
Founded
1909
Founder
August Horch
Headquarters
Ingolstadt, Germany
Current CEO
Markus Duesmann
Status
Active
Expand
Turning The Q6 E-Tron Into A True Off-Roader
The Q6, like most
family SUVs
, isn’t exactly known for its hardcore off-road chops. Sure, Audi makes some provisions for traction in the case of the
all-wheel-drive
Quattro models, but that’s more to ensure you make it to your Après-ski safely. Add to that the immense weight of the electric e-tron — some 5,125.7 lbs in the case of the dual motor — and it doesn’t make for the likeliest of candidates for a transformation.
Still, Audi wanted the concept to be a « highly emotive electric vehicle » and it pulled out all the stops to turn the Q6 into the off-roader you’re seeing today. As it stands, the e-tron concept is some 6.3 inches taller and 9.8 inches wider in track compared to a stock Q6 e-tron SUV.
Related
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This one-off Audi concept car featured a diesel-hybrid powertrain and future-forward styling.
What’s more, Audi fitted the off-road EV with some trick, newly-developed portal axles. Compared to conventional designs offering a torque increase of around 20-30% at the wheels, Audi’s design raises torque at the wheel by some 50%. That is to say — by integrating the portal axles into the wheel hub assemblies, Audi was able to achieve a peak combined torque output over 10 seconds of some 9,883 lb-ft. It’s a multiplied value that comes courtesy of the portal axles, much like
GM’s Hummer EV torque rating
that can be a bit misleading.
Granted, this number results in some small concessions to top speed (down to 108 mph from a governed 130 mph), but it’s resulted in a dramatic improvement in climbing ability. When powered by a pair of electric motors — good for a combined 510 horsepower — Audi says the Q6 e-tron off-road concept can scale gradients up to 45 degrees. That’s a figure that puts it in the company of the
best adventure-seeking off-roaders
today.
Related
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A Look Ahead At Audi’s PPE Platform Potential
Audi
Like most
concept cars
, the Q6 e-tron off-road is intended (to some degree anyway) to showcase what’s to come from Audi down the road. After taking the concept car out for a test drive, even Audi’s CEO Gernot Döllner stated:
“The Q6 e-tron offroad concept is a reinterpretation of quattro. The model shows the potential that our platform for all electric vehicles already has today. This vehicle can claim new ground. We look forward to seeing our customers’ reactions to this highly emotive car.”
As the first production model to be built on Audi’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) design, the Q6 e-tron represents the way forward for the German brand. The concept is certainly extreme compared to something we might see from the factory, but it highlights the potential for
Audi’s off-road designs
, and it demonstrates how electric power can be an asset when properly applied. And who knows? It’s a prototype in many ways, so we could see something like this on the road before too long.
