Audi unveiled an impressive electric concept with elevated ride height and four portal axles

Audi has released additional details and images of the Q6 e-tron Offroad Concept, following its initial reveal on social media. The key takeaway? Audi appears to be gauging interest in a production version of this rugged electric SUV.
“The debuting Q6 gives a taste of a potential vehicle in the progressive off-road segment,” Audi stated, hinting at plans to bring some off-road grit to its EV lineup. CEO Gernot Dollner added, “We look forward to seeing our customers’ reactions to this highly emotive car.”

The concept is powered by dual electric motors producing a combined 510 horsepower (380 kW), matching the output of the SQ6 e-tron in Boost mode. But the real highlights are its mechanical upgrades: a ride height raised by 160 mm (6.3 inches), a widened track by 250 mm (9.8 inches), and the addition of newly developed portal axles.
These portal axles, integrated directly into the wheel hubs, required Audi to redesign the suspension links entirely. They provide a total wheel torque of 13,400 Nm (9,883 lb-ft), a 4,400 Nm (3,245 lb-ft) increase over traditional setups, available in 10-second bursts. However, this torque figure accounts for the multiplication effect of the portal axles’ gear ratios rather than the raw motor output.

Unlike conventional portal axles, which boost wheel torque by 20–30%, Audi’s design achieves a 50% increase. The trade-off? A slightly lower top speed of 175 km/h (108 mph)—still plenty for off-road use. In return, the concept can tackle gradients of up to 45 degrees, making it an off-road powerhouse.
When not dominating trails, the Q6 e-tron Offroad Concept stays true to its production roots. Based on the Q6 Sportback e-tron, it features slim headlights, quad-LED lights, and oversized wheel arches housing rugged tires. Its exterior styling emphasizes off-road capability without straying too far from Audi’s design language.

Potential Production Intentions?
Although Audi stresses this is a concept, the growing popularity of hardcore off-roaders hints at a possible production model. Whether for recreational use or rally-raid competitions like Dakar, the Q6 e-tron Offroad Concept could attract enthusiasts looking for a capable and sustainable off-road option.
With the Q6 Sportback e-tron already delivering 383 horsepower (285 kW) and up to 395 miles (636 km) of range, Audi’s rugged concept might borrow the upgraded 510 horsepower (380 kW) setup from the SQ6 Sportback e-tron. If so, it would offer impressive acceleration—0–62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.3 seconds—and a range of around 377 miles (607 km).
For now, Audi hasn’t announced production plans but is clearly testing the waters with this bold concept. We’ll update as more details emerge, so stay tuned for further developments.
