At this year’s world cup weekend in Kitzbühel, Austria, Audi is unveiling the Audi Q6 e-tron offroad concept. The newly developed prototype features two electric motors with a combined power output of 380 kW and can climb gradients of up to 100% (a slope or incline where the rise and run are equal, making the angle of the slope 45º) due to its newly designed portal axles.

The debuting Q6 gives a taste of a potential vehicle in the progressive off-road segment. An increase of 160 mm (6.3 in) in ride height and 250 mm (9.8 in) wider track contribute to its appearance.

While conventional portal axles enable an increase in torque of around 20 to 30% at the wheels, the new design from Audi increases torque at the wheel by 50%. This lowers the vehicle’s top speed to 175 km/h (108 mph)—adequate for an off-roader—but enables it to climb gradients up to 45º.

The car features four portal axles that were developed from scratch and are integrated into the wheel hub assemblies at the front and rear axles. This necessitated partial changes to the suspension links. The portal axles increase the combined torque at all wheels (10-second peak) to 13,400 N·m (9,883 lb-ft), a total increase of 4,400 N·m (3,245 lb-ft).

The Audi Q6 e-tron serves as the basis for the concept car and is the first production model built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). It is the new reference point for electrically driven Vorsprung durch Technik. The Audi Q6 model series not only excels with impressive driving and charging performance but also sets standards in range and efficiency.

The Q6 e-tron offroad concept can be seen in action on 1 February 2025, at the F.A.T. Ice Race.