At the Auto Shanghai 2021 show, Audi’s Head of Exterior Design Philipp Römers presented the A6 e-tron concept, the forerunner of a family of fully electric vehicles on a new PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture. It is a fastback, or Sportback in Audi language, and meant to be a design preview of Audi’s future production models. Although its dimensions are similar at 4.96 m (16.3 ft) long, 1.96-m (6.4 ft) wide, and 1.44-m (4.7 ft) tall, the concept is said to represent an entirely new design direction from the current A6 production car.
The production A6 e-tron is expected to boast a range of more than 700 km (435 mi) based on the WLTP standard and sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 4 s. The concept has two electric motors delivering a total output of 350 kW and 800 N·m (590 lb·ft). The front wheels are connected via a five-link axle specially optimized for electric vehicles, with a multi-link axle in the rear, with all-around air suspension with adaptive dampers.
Like the current Audi e-tron GT production car, the A6 e-tron concept—and all future PPE models—has an 800-V electrical system, ensuring quick battery charging of up to 270 kW at fast-charging stations. The high-voltage technology will trickle down to the high-volume mid-range and luxury segments, making for charging times closer to those for conventional car refueling. For instance, a 10-min charge could provide 300 km (186 mi) of range, and less than 25 min can charge the A6 e-tron concept’s 100-kWh battery from 5% to 80%.
The concept’s design is aero-focused, with a Cd of 0.22. It has large 22-in wheels, short overhangs, and smooth transitions between convex and concave surfaces throughout the body. Quattro wheel arches, meant to accentuate body width, are connected by a black inlay at the rocker panel highlighting the battery area—now a design element of the Audi brand for EVs. As with other e-tron models, there are camera-based virtual exterior mirrors at the base of the A-pillars. Upfront, electric power is signaled by a large enclosed Singleframe grille, bordered at the bottom by deep air intakes for cooling the drivetrain, battery, and brakes.
As with most recent Audis, lighting is a particular design and technology focus. For the concept, the flat headlights and taillights are slim and flush. Digital Matrix LED and OLED technologies give maximum brightness, offer a range of features with minimal surface area, and have customizable light signatures. Three small, high-resolution LED projectors built into each side of the body transform the ground beneath with lighting when the doors are opened. The projectors also display warning symbols on the ground, for instance to a bike rider that the car door is about to open. Four other high-resolution LED projectors integrated into the corners of the car generate turn signal projections. During recharging and other times, the Digital Matrix LED front headlights can be used to project video games onto a facing wall in large format.
One key element of the future PPE fleet is a battery module between the axles, which holds around 100 kW·h of energy in the A6 e-tron concept. The relatively flat layout for the battery makes it possible to use the single platform for vehicles with high ground clearances or flatter architectures—such as that of the A6 e-tron concept—without any changes to the basic architecture.
The battery size and wheelbase of PPE vehicles are scalable, making them suitable for use in different market segments. The ratio of a relatively long wheelbase and short overhangs is something they will all have in common.
The future range of PPE models will include versions with one electric motor each mounted to the front and rear axles that are electronically coordinated to deliver all-wheel drive on demand to balance driving dynamics and energy efficiency. For basic e-tron versions optimized for minimum consumption and maximum range, propulsion will come from a single electric motor mounted to the rear axle.
Audi is quickly electrifying its fleet. Since the 2018 debut of the e-tron SUV, its first fully electric production vehicle, the company launched e-tron Sportback version, the Chinese-market Q2 L e-tron, and the range-topping e-tron GT (based on a new technology platform developed jointly with Porsche AG) that made its debut in February 2021. Two months later, the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron SUVs premiered in the A-segment with a common Volkswagen Group MEB base.
The A6 e-tron concept is the first member of a family of vehicles—initially in the C-segment, and then later in the B- and D-segments—based on the PPE platform. The modular system is being developed under Audi’s leadership together with Porsche AG. The first Audi production vehicles built on the PPE platform will be unveiled in the second half of 2022.
PPE vehicles are designed to be offered globally, with manufacturing both at Audi’s European sites and in China, the company’s largest market. A new production facility is being built in Changchun with joint venture partner FAW, where electric cars with PPE technology will start rolling off the line by the middle of the decade.
