Under all this stylistic goodness is Volkswagen Group’s PPE scalable electric-vehicle platform, in this instance packing approximately 100 kWh of energy storage between its axles. Its flat construction allows it to be used for both high-riding SUVs and vehicles that better hug the asphalt. Electric motors can power either the rear axle alone or both front and rear, depending on the vehicle. In the A6 E-Tron concept, Audi claims its twin electric motors can generate about 469 horsepower and roughly 590 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated range of about 435 miles. Don’t forget, though, this is a concept car, so consider these numbers as markers that point to Audi’s hopes for future production EVs.
It’s clear that slipperiness was top of Audi’s mind when it designed the A6 E-Tron concept’s rear, as both the upper and lower halves of the body move toward each other, culminating in an interesting back. It’s definitely a leap forward in terms of lighting design, with a thin strip of illumination spanning the entire rear and a light-up Audi badge smack in the middle for additional flashiness. Without a tailpipe, there’s plenty of room for a massive diffuser underneath, further improving its aerodynamics. Almost surprisingly, the A6 E-Tron concept’s 22-inch wheels are pretty appropriately sized for the car, a nice change of pace from many modern concept cars. Audi’s forthcoming onslaught of electric cars isn’t limited to new vehicle lines. While we’ve seen plenty of new-ground metal like the Q4 E-Tron, the O.G. E-Tron SUV and the E-Tron GT, Audi’s making sure to not completely ditch its history as it looks to the future of electrification, and the A6 E-Tron concept does a great job bridging the gap.
Since the A6 E-Tron is firmly a design study without an interior, there’s not much more to talk about for the time being, but that doesn’t mean Audi doesn’t have more tricks up its sleeve. In the second half of 2022, Audi will pull back the veil on its PPE-based production models.
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