Audi’s A6 Avant e-tron concept offers glimpse at future EV models
Audi has unveiled its production-oriented A6 Avant e-tron concept car as part of its 2022 Annual Media Conference.
The manufacturer introduced the Audi A6 Sportback with an electric drive system almost a year ago at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2021, and it has now revealed more details about the Avant’s electric drive system.
The Audi A6 e-tron concept will boast a range of up to 435 miles, with entry-level models designed for efficiency also offering a 0-62mph time of less than seven seconds, with this falling to under four seconds in top-of-the-line models.
Audi says the Avant previews future production models, which will be produced from the manufacturers Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform, which is designed exclusively for battery-electric drive systems.
Vehicles based on the PPE system will feature a battery module between the axles that holds around 100kWh of energy in the Avant version of the A6 e-tron concept. The Audi A6 Avant e-tron concept’s two electric motors are capable of delivering 350kW (469ps) of total output and 800Nm of torque.
The front wheels of the Audi A6 e-tron concept are connected via a five-link axle specially optimized for electric vehicles with a multi-link axle in the rear. The concept car features Audi air suspension with adaptive dampers.
All future PPE models will feature 800-volt charging technology, ensuring the batteries can be charged with up to 270kW in a very short time at fast-charging stations.
“With the Audi A6 Avant e-tron concept, we are offering a completely tangible look at future production models on our new PPE technology platform,” says Audi Board Member for Technical Development Oliver Hoffmann. “We’re not just electrifying the Avant’s successful 45-year history. What we want most of all is to use technical skills to add an exclamation point. In particular, this includes powerful 800-volt technology, 270 kW of charging capacity, and a WLTP range of up to 700 kilometres (435 miles).”
The PPE technology enables charging times that come close to a conventional stop to refuel a car powered by a combustion engine, according to Audi. Just 10 minutes is enough time to charge the battery to a level sufficient to power the car for more than 186 miles, and in less than 25 minutes, you can charge the Audi A6 Avant e-tron concept’s 100kWh battery from 5 to 80 percent.
The Audi A6 e-tron Sportback and Avant concept cars are now the first vehicles to be based off the PPE platform. This 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 successively unveiled starting in 2023.
