- Audi says the Q6 e-tron offroad is strictly a concept – for now
- This great looking concept popped up on an unexpected medium: Facebook
- Portal axles provide great ground clearance
We’re always excited for a bonkers off-road concept vehicle – especially when it shows up on a snow-covered road with portal-freakin’-axles.
That detail will get covered in a moment. First, the car. It first appeared on the Audi Facebook page, of all places, and is described by the brand as the Q6 e-tron offroad concept. While the post made clear this is strictly a concept vehicle “that is not available as a production vehicle,” there’s a lot to like in these photos.
Such as the aforementioned portal axles. For anyone unfamiliar, portal axles have gears at their ends in order to lower the wheel attachment points relative to placement of the axle itself. This raises the vehicle and tucks expensive powertrain parts up out of harms way. They are often found on gonzo rigs such as versions of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class 4×42 to provide massive ground clearance and off-road chops. That Audi has chosen to place them on an electric concept and then add the tagline “quattro redefined” suggests the Germans may have something entertaining up their sleeves in this segment.
And if they don’t, at least this concept permits us to dream. The machine clearly sits a lot higher than any stock Q6 e-tron Sportback and is shod with knobby studded Terra Hunter tires from a company called Venom Power, which is certainly a choice for this tony German brand and its aggressive new off-road concept. Elsewhere, the front bumper is festooned with integrated auxiliary lights, there’s roof rack perched aloft, and tony graphics line the flanks.
The whole effort is quite different from the 2025 SQ6 e-tron, priced just into the six figures in Canada and packing 509 horsepower. So equipped, it can rocket to highway speeds in just over 4 seconds with the help of a launch control system. The standard Q6 e-tron has 456 ponies for just a few less shekels. No such details are given for this concept.
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