On the occasion of the Shanghai Motor Show, Audi presents the A6 e-tron Concept. Besides a very smooth style, it announces a new platform, called PPE. It will be used for future family and road models from Audi (A6 and Q6 e-tron in 2023) and Porsche (Macan in particular).
[Mis à jour le 27/10/2021] Audi continues its exploration of the electric world. Thus, after presenting a sports car (e-tron GT) and two SUVs (Q4 e-tron and its Sportback version), the brand with the rings is now attacking sedans. Indeed, on the occasion of the Shanghai Motor Show (from April 21 to 28), it is the turn of the A6 family to take center stage with the A6 e-tron Concept.
Between an Audi A6 and an A7
The A6 e-tron Concept is 4.96 m in length, which is 1 cm shorter than the Audi A7.
However, if this concept bears the name of A6, do not see there the replacement of the road sedan of Audi, which will be restyled in 2022. It is positioned as a new member of this family which includes, in addition to the sedan A6 , its Avant version, but also the A7 Sportback. The reference to the latter model also comes up regularly in the communication of the Ingolstadt brand: the receding line of the roof as well as the design of the rear quarter panel strongly recall that of the 5-door coupe in the German catalog. In terms of dimensions, this new concept has a length of 4.96 m, which positions it between an A6 sedan (4.91 m) and an A7 (4.97 m). Ditto for its height of 1.44 m (A6: 1.46 m; A7: 1.41 m). Only its width (1.96 m) exceeds that of its sisters, but should not reflect the reality of the future production model.
A concept designed to be efficient
This concept also displays a dynamic style with a long front hood and a stretched cabin like a fastback model. Its flowing sides are enhanced by a plastic element integrated into the sill and which seems to be directly connected to the wheels. The designers thus wanted to signify that the power delivered to the wheels comes from the battery placed under the floor of the car. Furthermore, the muscular wings announce that the vehicle will be able to have four-wheel drive technology. If the grille is closed, huge holes surround it to channel the airflow to the battery and the brakes.
Audi announces a Cx of 0.22, which will have a beneficial impact on range. To achieve such a result, the surfaces offer the least possible roughness: the handles have disappeared (they will be flush on the production model), the camera mirrors have replaced the conventional elements (Audi will certainly offer them as an option, as on the e-tron), and the stern incorporates a diffuser as well as a strange spoiler overhanging the light strip.
A new platform developed with Porsche
This concept is based on the new PPE (Premium Platform Electric) platform, developed in partnership with Porsche and which will be used on the future Macan. Thanks to its long wheelbase, it can at the same time integrate a battery with a capacity of 100 kWh, keep a relatively low ride height and offer, according to Audi, a good habitability. However, we will still have to wait to discover the interior. This battery can power an electromotor placed as standard on the rear axle or, as mentioned above, on both axles to have all-wheel drive. In this last case, the total power supplied will be 350 kW (or 476 hp), for a torque of 800 Nm. Enough to go from 0 to 100 km / h in less than 4 seconds.
TO READ. Porsche Macan 2 (2021). The first illustrations of the electrified SUV
In addition, with its 800 V architecture, as for the J1 platform of the e-tron GT, the A6 e-tron Concept, as well as its future serial derivatives, will be able to recharge their battery on terminals supplying up to at 270 kW. Enough to recover 80% of its charge in 25 minutes or 300 km of autonomy in 10 minutes. As for autonomy, Audi announces, in the most optimal configuration, up to 700 km without connection.
Technologies of the future
As a concept, this model has almost unheard-of systems in large series. The same goes for the paint, the color of which has been called “Heliosilver”. Its advantage is that it reflects a large part of the sun’s rays in order to minimize the rise in temperature in the passenger compartment, and thus to require less air conditioning. The vehicle also incorporates a lighting system improving visibility for the driver thanks to Digital Matrix LED optics. This device also makes it possible to transforming the car into a giant projector for a video game specifically developed by the designers. Ideal for waiting while recharging. However, this new technology also has safety benefits by informing other users: projections of indicators indicate, for example, to cyclists that a door is about to open. At the rear, the OLED lights offer a multitude of light signatures.
The production model, derived from this concept, will be marketed in 2023.
Modular, this PPE platform will be used for vehicles in the D segments (family size of an A4 or a Q5), E (road type A6 or Q7), or even higher (limousine of the A8 size). Its first application will be visible on the Q6 e-tron. As for this A6 e-tron concept, it is, according to Audi, 95% close to the production vehicle that will result directly from it in 2023. According to our information, this AU513 / 4 codified project will go into production in August 2023.
TO READ. Audi Q6 e-tron (2023). The electric SUV will change its pace
