Audi A6 E-Tron Concept Debuts At Auto Shanghai 2021

Audi A6 E-Tron Concept Debuts At Auto Shanghai 2021

Audi revealed a new concept car, the Audi A6 e-tron Concept, on April 19 at Auto Shanghai 2021 in Shanghai, China. The A6 e-tron is a battery-electric sedan riding on an all-new vehicle architecture Audi calls “Premium Platform Electric” or “PPE,” which will be the basis of at least three future Audi vehicles.

The A6 e-tron Concept shares no sheet metal with the current 2021 Audi A6, nor is it intended as a direct replacement for the midsize sedan. The Concept is a parallel vehicle, sharing a similar size and use case as the A6. It’s a mid-size four-door fastback, or “sportback” in Audi-speak. It definitely shares a design aesthetic with the Audi sedan family, and uses cues from the e-tron, like the reverse grille, big wheel arches, and expressive slim headlights. The coupe-like roofline swoops low over the cockpit without pausing for a notchback trunk, allowing for a big liftgate in the rear. The Concept incorporates some futuristic touches, like camera mirrors, projection turn signals, and more, cool features which draw attention at an auto show but don’t always show up on the production version of the car. As a Concept car, the A6 e-tron is extremely sleek and aerodynamic, boasting a coefficient of drag of 0.22.

More impactful, though mostly not immediately apparent, is the new PPE platform itself, which will be shared with Porsche in the corporate family environment. The platform carries its battery module between the axle in a relatively flat layout, which will make it possible for the PPE to be useful for both tall SUVs and low-slung, dynamic vehicles like the A6 e-tron. The platform can accommodate a range of battery configurations while maintaining short overhangs front and rear. More room in the center of the wheelbase allows for greater passenger legroom and comfort, and the flat floor opens up all kinds of possible interior arrangements.

Quattro all-wheel drive is built into the A6 e-tron, with two electric motors (front and rear). A five-link axle connects to the front wheels, while the rear wheels use a multi-link axle. Air suspension and adaptive dampers are fitted to the chassis for a smooth, controlled ride.

The PPE platform is engineered with 800-volt charging technology that will allow for fast charging at up to 270 kW. If you can find a charging station with that kind of wattage, you can charge your 100 kWh batter from 5% to 80% in less than 25 minutes. With a full charge, the A6 e-tron has a claimed range of 700 kilometers (434 miles to you and me). 

Auto Shanghai 2021 public days run from April 21 to 28 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, one of the first international auto shows to live in-person attendees since the beginning of the pandemic. The Chinese car market is important to many auto manufacturers, including Audi. In fact, China is Audi’s largest single market. The electric car market in China is especially vibrant, and many international brands build EVs there for both domestic sale and export. Shanghai Auto was the first international auto show in China (starting in 1985), and has grown to be a venue for many prominent new vehicle and concept car unveilings.

Audi plans to build the production versions of PPE-based vehicles in both Europe and China. Expect PPE-based electric vehicles to start rolling out of factories “by the middle of the decade,” according to Audi.