"In China, for China" has always been an important strategy of the Audi brand in the Chinese market, and it is the concept of the Audi brand to deeply understand the needs of Chinese consumers and "tailor-made" for Chinese users.
At the 2024 Beijing Motor Show, the Audi brand will present the Audi Q6L e-tron specially designed for the Chinese market, and Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said: "The Audi Q6L e-tron is a model tailored to our customers for Chinese users. ”
The Audi Q6 e-tron is Audi's first production model based on the PPE luxury electric platform, marking the brand's accelerated transformation into a leader in high-end e-mobility.
The Audi Q6L e-tron is not only the first model of the PPE electric platform, but also the first model to be put into production at the new plant of Audi FAW New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. in Changchun, with the first products expected to be delivered to customers in 2025.
Longer wheelbase, more beautiful design
In the decades that the Audi brand has entered China, it has continuously tailored "L" long wheelbase models for the Chinese market, among which the Audi A6L and Audi A4L are the most representative models. Other long-wheelbase models include the Audi Q5L, Audi A8L, etc.,
This time, the Audi Q6 e-tron series is also available in the domestic market with an "L" long wheelbase model, which offers more space, more comfort and more practical functions.
With a wheelbase of 4,884 mm long, 1,965 mm wide and 1,687 mm high, the long-wheelbase Audi Q6L e-tron meets the needs of space and comfort for everyday travel. The wheelbase of 2,995 mm provides rear passengers with plenty of legroom in the business class class.
Thanks to the PPE platform, the proportions of the Audi Q6 e-tron model range are harmonious. The elongated wheelbase and extended roofline further accentuate the elegance and chic of the car's exterior. At the same time, it maintains a striking SUV style, showing a unique design on the front, sides and rear.
The cockpit structure in the upper part of the body is low, and it narrows towards the rear of the car with tension. The opening between the D-pillar and the roof gives the exterior a more dynamic look and the cabin feels more slender. A striking line runs between the taillights and the rear doors, and the rear of the car combines sporty elegance with power. The light strip at the rear gives the Audi Q6L e-tron its distinctive identity.
The Q6 e-tron door handles are almost integrated into the door surface, and for the first time in the Audi e-tron range, they are equipped with recessed door handles. There is a proximity sensor under the doorknob that unlocks automatically upon request. Without the need for force, the door springs can be easily opened.
The straight front face represents the evolution of the design language of the Audi e-tron family. The front face has an aerodynamically enclosed, fully enclosed recessed design. Not only that, but for the first time for the Chinese market, Audi designers have designed a completely high-gloss black front face. The sporty look is also emphasised by the large side air intakes, and the four-ring logos at the front and rear of the car are illuminated for the first time, conveying the distinctive Audi glow.
The "Lamp Factory" is upgraded, and the lighting can also be customized
The Audi brand has always been known as the "lamp factory", and light is a major label of Audi models. With the launch of the Audi Q6 e-tron, Audi has taken its lighting technology to the next level.
With the innovative dynamic digital light signature, this all-electric SUV model ushers in a new era characterized by Audi's unique aesthetic design. The Audi Q6L e-tron is equipped with a total of five domain controllers, with software modules that guarantee dynamic digital lighting signatures.
The second-generation digital OLED taillights have six OLED panels with a total of 360 light-emitting units, which can generate a new image every ten milliseconds through a specific algorithm. The lights of the new Audi Q6L e-tron are smarter and smarter.
The dynamic digital light signature of the headlamp is formed by an algorithm of 12 light units with adjustable brightness. All digital OLED units in the taillights are controlled in the same way to achieve dynamic digital light signatures. It is worth mentioning that, for the first time, the digital OLED taillights enable instant communication interaction between the vehicle and its surroundings.
In addition to the existing distance warning function, the Audi Q6L e-tron has added an interactive light function. In addition to the regular taillight pattern, the Audi Q6L e-tron warns other road users of accidents and faults in critical road conditions by displaying a specific static taillight pattern with a warning symbol.
The new Audi Q6L e-tron allows the headlights to be personalised, with a choice of eight digital light signatures in the newly designed digital daytime running lights in the matrix LED headlights and optional second-generation digital OLED taillights. The Audi Q6L e-tron allows users to personalise like never before, and in the corresponding options menu, users can easily switch between digital light signatures.
Longer battery life, exclusive Chinese configuration
The Audi brand wants to make the Q6L e-tron a more localized model. "Whether it's the exterior design or the digital interior, the Audi Q6L e-tron is more local than previous global versions," says Gordeno.
The Audi Q6L e-tron is equipped with a lithium-ion battery with a total capacity of 107 kWh and a range of more than 700 km in CLTC mode.
It comes standard with 800 volt charging technology and a maximum DC charging power of 270 kW for a short period of time. Under ideal conditions, a 10-minute charge can add nearly 260 km of range, and a charge increase from 10% to 80% takes only 25 minutes.
Although the interior of the Q6L e-tron has not yet been officially announced, Gaudno said: "In terms of interior, the Q6L e-tron will be more suitable for the needs of Chinese users. "Audi engineers from the technical research and development departments in Beijing and Germany have integrated a large number of entertainment functions into the car, and have a unique Chinese interior design, with the aim of allowing Chinese users to enjoy a personalized and digital driving experience.
Audi understands the high demand for intelligent driving in the Chinese market and will equip the Q6L e-tron with highly sophisticated advanced driver assistance systems, including advanced adaptive driver assistance and advanced parking assistance, which are worth noting that this series of driver assistance functions is exclusive to the Chinese market.
Based on a sophisticated sensor system (including LiDAR sensors, radar sensors, cameras and ultrasonic sensors) and V2X technology, the Audi Q6L e-tron will provide owners with more comprehensive assistance functions in more complex driving and parking scenarios.
The E3 1.2 electronic architecture is the technical backbone of the Audi Q6L e-tron's in-vehicle infotainment system and driver assistance. E3 stands for End-to-End Electronic Architecture. Based on a new domain controller concept, the architecture, which is function-oriented, consists of five High-Performance Computing Platforms (HCPs) that control all vehicle functions, such as infotainment, driving functions, and autonomous driving assistance systems.
epilogue
"In China, for China" is Audi's main goal at this stage, and the Audi Q6L e-tron has become an important product of this concept.
The new plant of Audi FAW New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd., which is responsible for production, will not only be Audi's first production site in China dedicated to the production of all-electric models, but will also rely on the "Mission:Zero" environmental program for its global production network.
With the arrival of the Audi Q6L e-tron and the upcoming mass production of more multi-PPE models, the Audi brand will open a new chapter in electrification in the Chinese market.