Sascha Heyde and Wolf Seebers, Audi exterior designers and longtime friends, have brought their vision of the A6 e-tron family from concept to production. Having first introduced their ideas through the stunning A6 e-tron concept and A6 Avant e-tron concept, they’ve now delivered a production model that retains the excitement and innovation of the original show cars.
Concepts as Catalysts
Heyde and Seebers view concept cars as platforms for bold, unrestricted design. According to Heyde, concepts allow designers to explore new possibilities and break old boundaries, shaping the future of automotive design. Seebers adds that today’s premium cars are more than just transportation—they’re personal expressions and design statements.
Design Evolution
The A6 e-tron’s journey began with the 2021 concept models, which allowed designers to push boundaries. Heyde explains that concepts often feature exaggerated proportions to highlight design principles. Seebers points out that while technical requirements later influence production models, the core design elements often remain true to the original concept.
Innovative Features
The A6 e-tron features the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, which posed unique design challenges due to its increased from the battery. Seebers and Heyde creatively addressed this by incorporating a horizontal inlay in the rocker panel and integrating technological elements into the dark mask encircling the Singleframe grille. These design choices preserve the concept car’s sleek profile while accommodating the technical needs of an electric vehicle.
A New Avant
The 2022 Avant concept introduced another innovation: a fully electric station wagon. Seebers and Heyde emphasized maintaining the traditional Avant character while integrating new design elements. The Avant’s dynamic C-pillar and distinctive roof structure highlight its sporty, elegant nature.
Design and Technology Synergy
Aerodynamics were crucial for the A6 e-tron’s performance. Heyde and Seebers worked closely with the Aerodynamics team to ensure the design did not compromise functionality. The result was a car with a remarkable drag coefficient of 0.21, achieving the best aerodynamic performance ever for a production Audi.
Collaboration and Legacy
Heyde and Seebers’ collaboration was marked by mutual respect and shared passion. Their teamwork, combined with contributions from veteran Surfaces team member Gerhard Lawall, exemplifies Audi’s strength in blending tradition with innovation.
The A6 e-tron represents not only a major achievement for Heyde and Seebers but also a milestone in Audi’s design evolution. As it hits the road, the A6 e-tron will continue to embody the vision and craftsmanship of its creators.
Source: Audi
This Article use tools from Chatgpt
