Audi’s new Q6 e-tron offroad concept has been created to showcase the future of adventure electric cars.
Though sharing some features with the standard Q6 e-tron, the offroad concept benefits from a 160mm boost in ride height and a 250mm increase in track. Clever portal axles help to boost the level of torque being sent to the wheels and though that does reduce the car’s top speed to 108mph from the production model’s 130mph, it means that the car can tackle gradients of up to 45 degrees.
Portal axles are most commonly found on serious off-roaders and enable this Q6 e-tron to offer far more ground clearance than the standard car.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said: “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.”
Audi claims that the offroad concept can develop a total of 13,400Nm of torque. Styling tweaks include upgraded LED lighting elements as well as a full light bar on the roof. Chunky snow-ready tyres help the offroad concept to conquer more difficult terrain, too.
Audi has stated that the offroad concept will be put to the test at the F.A.T Ice Race in Austria on February 1.