The Audi Q6 e-tron offroad concept has been unveiled by the German manufacturer as a prototype aimed at offering much greater off-roading capability, based on the Q6 e-tron electric SUV that first made its debut in March last year.
The electric SUV’s much more aggressive stance comes from its 160 mm increase in ride height, along with a 250 mm increase in wheel track widths, while portal axles provide up to 50% more torque output at the wheels, which enables the Q6 e-tron offroad concept to climb gradients of up to 45 degrees, or 100%.
The portal axles were developed from scratch, and are integrated into the wheel hub assemblies for both front and rear axles, says Audi. Partial changes to the suspension links were required, and other visible components here include more aggressive tyres, a quartet of fog lamps at each front corner and light bars on the roof rack.
Powertrain for the Q6 e-tron offroad concept is by a dual-motor setup that outputs a combined 380 kW (517 PS), which matches the peak power output of the SQ6 e-tron with launch control. Its portal axles in this application enable a maximum torque output of 13,400 Nm at the wheels at a 10-second output peak, according to Audi.
To attain the significantly increased torque output for better off-roading prowess, outright top speed is compromised as a result, and the Q6 e-tron offroad concept does a maximum of 175 km/h, which Audi calls “adequate for an off-roader”; the standard, roadgoing Q6 e-tron does a top speed of 230 km/h.
Only the exterior of the Q6 e-tron offroad concept has been shown so far, though more details are likely to be revealed later on. The Q6 e-tron offroad concept will be pressed into action at the F.A.T. Ice Race that will be held in Austria on February 1, and the annual event has typically been well-represented by the Volkswagen Group.
GALLERY: Audi Q6 e-tron
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