Audi unveils the Q6 e-tron Off-Road concept, featuring portal axles, rugged tires, and a 510-hp electric powertrain for exceptional off-road performance.
Audi Q6 e-tron Off-Road Concept: Portal Axles and Rugged Tires
Audi’s growing focus on off-road vehicles has culminated in the unveiling of the Q6 e-tron Off-Road concept, which incorporates significant enhancements following the brand’s triumph at the 2024 Dakar Rally. This latest electric SUV sports innovative features that elevate its off-road capability.
Last fall, an Audi prototype caught the attention of spy photographers, showcasing a high-clearance vehicle that resembled a Q6 e-tron Sportback but was outfitted with oversized tires and a wide track. Now, Audi has officially introduced the Q6 e-tron Off-Road concept, a vehicle designed to push the boundaries of what an electric SUV can do off the beaten path.
The most notable upgrade is the suspension, where Audi has equipped the Q6 e-tron with four advanced portal axles. These axles, integrated into the wheel hubs, required a complete overhaul of the suspension links. Audi engineered these portal axles from the ground up, incorporating a new design that boosts wheel torque by 50%, compared to the 20-30% typically seen with conventional designs.
This innovative torque increase results in a combined wheel torque of 9,883 lb-ft during a 10-second burst, which isn’t the standard motor torque measurement but rather the output after being multiplied by the unique portal axle gear ratios. Although this torque figure is unconventional, it highlights the enhanced performance capabilities of the Q6 e-tron Off-Road concept. GMC previously used a similar measurement for its Hummer EV in a Super Bowl commercial.
With these advanced portal axles, the Q6 e-tron Off-Road concept gains a 6.3-inch lift in ride height and a wider, more aggressive stance thanks to a 9.8-inch broader track. These upgrades provide the vehicle with the ability to conquer 45-degree gradients, making it highly capable in challenging terrains.
Powering the Q6 e-tron Off-Road is a dual-motor electric drivetrain delivering 510 horsepower, a setup similar to the performance-oriented SQ6 e-tron. The inclusion of portal axles and rugged tires does limit the top speed to 108 mph, but this is more than adequate for an off-road vehicle.
While Audi has yet to confirm whether the Q6 e-tron Off-Road concept will enter production, CEO Gernot Döllner indicated the company is gauging customer interest, referring to the vehicle as a prototype. Audi’s history of testing off-road concepts on public roads suggests this model could eventually lead to a limited production run.
This concept follows Audi’s previous off-road explorations, such as the 2023 Activesphere concept and the 2019 AI:Trail Quattro, an all-terrain electric vehicle. With the brand’s recent success in the Dakar Rally, the Q6 e-tron Off-Road appears to be a promising glimpse into the future of Audi’s electric off-road offerings.