Design from the inside out

The interior of the Audi Q6 e-tron^* model series is the first to be shaped by a completely new design philosophy. What role a stage plays in the vehicle, how high-tech ensures privacy, why clarity and comfort work so well together, and how smarter technology saves time for the customer – in this interview, interior designers Mattijs van Tuijl and Ramon Bäurle discuss these topics – from the inside of the Q6 e-tron,^* of course.

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Ramon Bäurle: “The Q6 e-tron* marks a new era of our Audi interior design philosophy.”

Audi Q6 e-tron quattro: electric power consumption (combined): 19.6–17.0 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions (combined): 0 g/km; CO₂ class: A

Ramon Bäurle: “The Q6 e-tron* marks a new era of our Audi interior design philosophy.”

Audi Q6 e-tron quattro: electric power consumption (combined): 19.6–17.0 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions (combined): 0 g/km; CO₂ class: A

Just one glance at the interior of the Audi Q6 e‑tron^* makes it clear that the sense of space in the electric Premium SUV is different. Taking a seat, you feel how everything around you has been designed both visually and ergonomically with the occupants in mind.

It comes as no surprise, because the interior of the new Audi Q6 e‑tron series is oriented more systematically than ever to the needs of the user.

“The Q6 e‑tron^* marks a new era for our Audi interior design philosophy,” explains interior designer Ramon Bäurle. From the very beginning of our design process, our goal was to make the interior as human-centered as possible and to design it as the center of our customers’ lives and experiences.

“The Audi Q6 e-tron* sets new standards in the interior as well.”
Power consumption (combined): 19,8–16,0 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions (combined): 0 g/km; CO₂ emission class: A
“The digital stage with the new display and operating concept and networked interior.”
“The Audi Q6 e-tron* sets new standards in the interior as well.”
Power consumption (combined): 19,8–16,0 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions (combined): 0 g/km; CO₂ emission class: A
“The digital stage with the new display and operating concept and networked interior.”

Focusing on customers’ needs from first sketch

The Audi Q6 e‑tron^* is the first model series based on the completely redeveloped Premium Platform Electric (PPE) and the new E3 electronics architecture. “The Q6 e‑tron^* is a dream for us as designers, as the package offers ideal proportions, which in turn form the basis for a good design,” explains Mattijs van Tuijl. The PPE’s long wheelbase and intelligent packaging play an important role here.

This new basis opens up considerable space for creativity, allowing the interior’s design and range of functions to be completely redesigned.

The process begins with a question: What do customers want to experience with and in their car? The customers’ needs and wants shape the interior architecture and its functions. Spend time in the car, and you will experience a unique sense of space, along with premium materials and technical highlights.

Turning the interior into a living space

Typical of an electric car without a center tunnel, there is additional legroom for the back seats; the rear seats are highly comfortable. In the front the additional space is used for big storage solutions within the center console. The clearly structured interior has a cozy ambiance.

One of the premium SUV's special interior features is the so-called softwrap, which extends from the doors through the entire cockpit to the center console. It creates a comfortable and welcoming sense of space, “like a cocoon or a super comfy couch,” says designer Bäurle.

The use of high-quality, uniform materials and colors makes the interior feel like it was designed from a single mold. The comfort zones, with their spacious surfaces and soft materials, contrast with the precisely designed operating areas.

Power consumption (combined): 19,8–16,0 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions (combined): 0 g/km; CO₂ emission class: A

Mattijs van Tuijl: “The Q6 e-tron* is a dream for us as designers.”

All materials used are characterized by density and value. “Materials and colors have the power to give the interior of the Q6 e‑tron^* a totally different effect. Just like when designing a living room at home, we want our customers to be able to fully customize the look and feel of their Q6 e‑tron^*,” says van Tuijl. Depending on the chosen configuration, visual and haptic interior highlights include amber and birch veneers or brushed aluminum matte, while other lines feature open-pored carbon or technical fabric.

Digital highlights

"Audi’s design philosophy has been described as ‘aesthetic intelligence’ – which means the ideal combination of innovative technology and progressive design,” explains van Tuijl. “It’s about more than just aesthetics. At Audi, good design is defined through functionality. We also believe that maximum reduction leads to maximum effect. But what does that mean exactly? Providing information, but only when the customer needs it – in other words, only at the right time and in the right place.” Bäurle names one good example of this principle: “If the driver wants to adjust their seat or side mirror, they do so before driving. So, we bundled this information in the so-called smart door panel that is not in the driver’s main field of view while driving, but still easy to reach if needed – for the simple reason that this information is not used so much then.”

One new interior feature in the Audi Q6 e‑tron^* is the so-called digital stage, which comprises the Audi MMI panoramic display and the MMI passenger display. The clearly grouped displays are integrated precisely into the design concept and give the interior a spacious and airy feel. Each is oriented toward the needs of the respective occupant – for example, the slim, free-standing Audi MMI panoramic display with its curved design creates a cockpit feel for the person behind the wheel.

The MMI passenger display features active privacy mode with shutter technology, which allows the front passenger to enjoy a movie in peace while traveling without distracting the driver.

“The passenger display also uses clever technology,” says Bäurle. “With the engine switched off, the driver and front passenger can watch a movie together, but when the car drives off, automatic privacy mode prevents the driver from being distracted while allowing the front passenger to continue enjoying their content.”

Thanks to the new E3 architecture, the interior is also more networked than ever. Continuous software updates keep the completely new, uniform infotainment platform up to date at all times.

Thanks to an app store, users can access many of their favorite functions directly on the vehicle display. Users can also interact with their apps via voice commands^*.

Ramon Bäurle in front of a white background and looks into the camera

Ramon Bäurle: “As people, we have high standards for the spaces we spend time in.”

The dynamic interaction light offers a wide range of communication functions. Across the board, from the interior to the cockpit, the vehicle interacts with the occupants, for example, by visualizing the dynamic turn signals or the pulsing interaction light during charging.

“The most valuable thing we have is time,” says van Tuijl. “That is why, as designers, we are always looking for clever solutions that make the time our customers spend in their car as pleasant as possible – or even give them back lost time. Is it more convenient for our customers to see their vehicle’s current charge state as they sit outside in the sun, drinking coffee and engaging with their kids? Definitely! And the interaction light does just that. It combines our aesthetic lighting design with direct functionality for the customer. And doesn’t it make sense for your friend to look up the best-rated restaurant near your next stop on the passenger display before you get there so the driver can focus on the heavy traffic?”

“Exactly. The Q6 e-tron^* is all about making the best use of your time,” adds Bäurle. “And as often, conveniently, and pleasantly as possible.”

The Q6 e-tron^* celebrates its European premiere at the Salon de Mobile in Milan, Italy.

Mattijs van Tuijl: “The most valuable thing we have is time.”

Design from the inside out

“The Audi Q6 e-tron* sets new standards in the interior as well.”

“The digital stage with the new display and operating concept and networked interior.”

“The Audi Q6 e-tron* sets new standards in the interior as well.”

“The digital stage with the new display and operating concept and networked interior.”

Focusing on customers’ needs from first sketch

Turning the interior into a living space

Digital highlights

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