It’s well-known that range and recharging speed separates the haves from the have nots in the electric-vehicle (EV) business. Audi says the 800-V charging architecture of its electrically powered A6 Avant concept vehicle, presented as part of its 2022 Annual Media Conference, will allow the car to recoup more than 300 km (186 miles) of range in just 10 minutes.
In less than 25 minutes, the 100-kWh battery will charge from 5% to 80%. This ensures that the battery can be charged with up to 270 kW 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-V technology, 270 kW of charging capacity, and a WLTP range of up to 700 kilometers (435 miles).”
WLTP Values
The A6 Avant e-tron is said to achieve up to 435 miles of range, in accordance with the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). It’s a more realistic test procedure for measuring fuel consumption and CO2 emissions that, since September 1, 2018, has gradually replaced the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Due to the more realistic test conditions, the consumption and CO2 emission values measured are in many cases higher than the values measured according to NEDC.
At the moment, it’s still mandatory to communicate the NEDC values. In the case of new vehicles for which type approval was performed using WLTP, the NEDC values are derived from the WLTP values. WLTP values can be provided voluntarily until their use becomes mandatory.
Avant Specs and Features
Audi’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform, co-developed with Porsche, will allow for both single-motor rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor configurations with all-wheel drive. The Audi A6 Avant e-tron concept’s two electric motors can deliver 469 hp (350 kW) of total output and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque.
The car rides on air suspension and 22-in. wheels; the strongest representatives of the series will sprint from 0 to 62 mph in less than four seconds. Even entry-level models designed for efficiency will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in less than seven seconds, according to Audi.
The A6 Avant ‘s PPE technology enables charging times that come close to a conventional stop to refuel a car powered by a combustion engine. Fully charged, an Audi A6 e-tron will deliver up to 700 km (435 miles) of range (under the WLTP standard), depending on the drive system and model variant.
The key element of the future PPE fleet is a battery module between the axles. Using the entire vehicle base makes it possible to achieve a relatively flat layout for the battery. Thus, it will be possible to use this single platform both for vehicles with high ground clearance and vehicles with a flat architecture—such as the Audi A6 Avant—without any changes to the basic architecture.
The battery size and wheelbase of PPE vehicles also are scalable, making them suitable for use in different market segments.
Based on its dimensions, the Audi A6 Avant e-tron concept represents the upscale segments of the automotive market—16.3 feet (4,960 mm) in length, 6.4 feet (1,960 mm) in width, and 4.7 feet (1,440 mm) tall—the same as current models in the Audi A6/A7 series. The 22-in. wheels and short overhangs, the flat cabin, and a roof arch give the Avant proportions that are more often found in a sports car.
Audi claims a coefficient of drag of just 0.24, which translates into lower energy consumption and therefore extended range.
Also typical of Audi e-tron models are the camera-based virtual exterior mirrors at the base of the A-pillar (not yet legal in the U.S). A large enclosed grille is bordered at the bottom by deep air intakes to cool the drivetrain, battery, and brakes.
The car is painted in a warm shade of grey called Neptune Valley. The paint’s full effect is said to open up in the sun, draping the vehicle in shades of softly iridescent gold
Leveraging LED Tech
Digital Matrix LED and digital OLED technology make it possible for the Avant’s lights to achieve brightness and a wide range of features within a minimal surface area, while at the same time offering customizable light signatures.
Three small, high-resolution LED projectors built into each side of the body can act as puddle lights or display warning messages on the ground (for example, alerting a cyclist that the door is about to open). With the latest changes to the U.S. NHTSA lighting regulations, these lights may finally be allowed here.
Another four high-resolution LED projectors, this time integrated into the corners of the vehicle, generate turn signal projections. The design of these projections can be modified to address different markets and approval regions as required.
Digital Matrix LED front headlights enable the Audi A6 Avant concept, when parked in front of a wall during a break to recharge the battery, to display a video game on the wall instead of on a small screen in the cockpit.
The combination taillights, like the headlights, meet safety requirements when it comes to the traditional functions of vehicle lighting. The headlights also are said to be able to adapt to the traffic situation, weather, and surroundings, as well as communicate with other road users.
What’s more, the projections around the vehicle allow its communication range to be extended. With the help of intelligent connectivity in the vehicle, the A6 e-tron concept can provide information to other road users with visual signals.
All-Wheel Quattro
Audi customers will not have to give up the brand’s trademark quattro all-wheel drive system. The future range of PPE models will include versions with one electric motor each mounted to the front and rear axles, using electronic coordination to deliver all-wheel drive on demand and achieve what Audi calls “a balance between driving dynamics and energy efficiency.”
In addition, the e-tron family will include basic versions optimized for minimum power consumption and maximum range. In this case, propulsion will come from a single electric motor mounted to the rear axle.
The front wheels of the Audi A6 e-tron concept are connected via a five-link axle optimized for electric vehicles with a multi-link axle in the rear. The concept car features Audi’s air suspension with adaptive dampers.
By 2025, it’s expected Audi will offer more than 20 models with all-electric drive in the most important markets worldwide and achieve roughly 40% of its sales with electrified variants.