Production

A6 e-tron: flat-floor premiere for the PPE

The Audi A6 e-tron is the second model on the Premium Platform Electric and the first flat-floor concept on the platform designed specifically for electric mobility. The A6 e-tron is also the first all-electric model developed by Audi as an Avant and Sportback – after the all-electric Q6 e-tron, Q8 e-tron, and Q4 e-tron SUVs and the e-tron GT. The PPE was specifically developed for launching high-volume, technologically advanced models in various segments to further electrify Audi’s portfolio. The flexibility of the PPE will help to ensure that future models have a unique character in addition to Audi’s typical DNA. Moreover, the architecture is scalable, allowing both high- and flat-floor vehicles, such as the A6 e-tron, to be built within a single model family.

From the outset, the components are in the right place and arranged according to functionality. The PPE also provides space for high-voltage batteries of different sizes, depending on the series and version.

Another aspect of designing a modern platform such as the PPE is ensuring it is future-proof. The PPE can be used to design rear-wheel-drive vehicles as easily as front- or all-wheel-drive models. Equally important is a high degree of flexibility for integrating future technologies. As a completely new technology platform for all-electric vehicles, the PPE combines the premium experience so typical of Audi with a high degree of excitement.

Sustainable and flexible: production of the Audi A6 e-tron

The A6 e-tron model family, like the Q6 e-tron series built on the PPE, demonstrates the brand’s aspiration to act sustainably – from production to the finished product. Step by step, the company is converting all its production sites to make fully electric models rather than building new ones. With its early decision to phase out combustion engines, Audi has also intensively promoted the transformation of its employees and qualified its workforce for future needs, such as the new battery assembly facility in Ingolstadt. With this move, the brand with the four rings is increasing its vertical range of production and bringing additional skills to the location. It is also an example of how Audi creates new job opportunities. To make production of the A6 e-tron series both sustainable and efficient, Audi consistently relies on existing structures and equipment. The brand with the four rings is integrating the series seamlessly into existing assembly lines, such as the body shop for the PPE. The bodies for the PPE models are assembled at the Ingolstadt plant on an area of around 148,000 square meters. There, 328 employees per shift and 1,150 robots build the body components for the A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron series with an 87 percent automation rate.

Recycled materials

Cars are largely made of aluminum, steel, plastic, and glass. Audi, therefore, pays particular attention to these valuable materials and the components of the high-voltage battery: The company is committed to gradually increasing its use of post-consumer secondary materials – i.e. materials that were already used for another purpose and have been reprocessed after their first life.

Audi is following this approach for the Audi A6 e-tron as well. Some recycled post-consumer content is used to produce steel and aluminum for selected components. For example, the outer part of the aluminum front hatch and the steel roof frame are made in this way.

In addition to fabrics made from recycled polyester, the A6 e-tron also uses recycled materials for the plastic components typical of electric models, such as the frunk and the adjacent covers in the front of the vehicle. Other components made from recycled plastic include the electric sound generators and the grate beneath the windshield. As with the models in the Audi Q6 e-tron series, the conventional sheet metal used here previously has been replaced by plastic components with a high proportion of secondary materials.

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.