Audi takes the Q6 e-tron offroad

Designed to tackle extreme terrain, the all-electric SUV packs 380 kW from two motors and introduces newly designed portal axles that allow it to climb gradients of up to 100 percent. In other words, this EV isn’t just about going green - it’s about going anywhere.

This rugged prototype hints at a potential off-road-focused model in Audi’s electric lineup. Compared to the standard Q6 e-tron, it stands 160 mm taller and sits 250 mm wider, giving it a real presence while looking ready to take on the toughest trails.

Following a first test drive, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner enthused: “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.”

With enhanced torque and all-wheel drive, the Q6 e-tron offroad concept is built to conquer new ground—literally and figuratively.

Unlike conventional portal axles, which boost wheel torque by 20 to 30 percent, Audi’s newly developed system increases it by 50 percent. This gives the Q6 e-tron offroad concept serious climbing ability, though its top speed is capped at 175 km/h, but this car isn’t really about top speed, is it?

To achieve this level of performance, Audi developed four new portal axles integrated into the wheel hub assemblies. These upgrades, along with modified suspension links, push total wheel torque to 13,400 Nm—an increase of 4,400 Nm.

Q6 e-tron was Audi’s first production model on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) and serves to showcase the breadth of the platform’s capability.