Audi Q6 e-tron offroad concept looks for EV driving fun on ice

At the F.A.T. Ice Race in Kitzbühel, Austria, Audi is showcasing a new concept car based on its latest electric SUV, the Q6 e-tron. This off-road concept has been fitted with custom-made portal axles to increase significantly the Q6’s terrain-driving potential, transforming the family vehicle into a “highly emotive car.”

The F.A.T. Ice Race is an annual automotive event featuring legendary modern and classic race cars battling it out on a frozen lake. The first race, the ‘Professor Ferdinand Porsche Memorial Race,’ occurred in 1952 and ran until 1974, when a snowplow fell through the ice, drowning the driver.

Forty-five years later, Ferdi Porsche, Ferdinand Porsche’s great-grandson revived the event as the F.A.T. Ice Race, with Porsche and Audi as sponsors and several other automotive OEMs.

More emotive Q6 e-tron

Audi is one of the main sponsors, and it is looking to stand out with its newest products among hundreds of flashy supercars, classic icons, and legendary race cars. The German manufacturer transformed the electric SUV Q6 e-tron into a “highly emotive electric vehicle.” The team decided not to focus on straight-line acceleration but on making a Q6 that could go farther than ever.

Custom-made portal axles give the Audi Q6 e-tron offroad concept the ability to climb gradients up to 100 percent /Audi

To achieve this goal, a Q6 Sportback e-tron was fitted with custom-made portal axles, significantly increasing the ride height and wheel torque. The result is a Q6 e-tron that can climb hills with a gradient of up to 100 percent, or 45 degrees. The peak wheel torque was also increased from 9,000 Nm to 13,400 Nm, significantly improving traction but limiting the top speed to 175 km/hour.

Looks to match the performance

Along with the technical adjustments, the Audi Q6 e-tron offroad concept was also fitted with a specific body kit, with wider wheel arches to accommodate the increased track width, big wheels with terrain tires, additional LED lighting, and a roof rack to store valuable items like a snow shovel, skis, and camping gear.

The Audi Q6 e-tron offroad concept will make its debut at the F.A.T. Ice Race 2025 in Austria /Audi

According to Audi CEO Gernot Döllner, 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.”

More terrain-ready Q6 e-tron coming?

Audi has not said anything about a potential production offshoot of this off-road concept. Still, the German manufacturer previously introduced a Q8 e-tron Dakar edition to emphasize its involvement in the legendary rally raid. Even the Audi ActiveSphere Concept could be interpreted as a design study of this newest Q6 e-tron off-road concept.

Production version or not, the Q6 e-tron offroad concept will be seen in action on February 1st, 2025, at the F.A.T. Ice Race and on Audi Sport’s social media channels.

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