Intelligent. Integrated. Instantly available. quattro ultra in the Audi A6 allroad
The Audi A6 allroad offers versatility, comfort, and confident handling thanks to an intelligently controlled all-wheel-drive system. The quattro with ultra technology is used in the A6 allroad V6 TDI and the A6 allroad e-hybrid, making the benefits of all-wheel drive permanently available while also being optimized for efficiency. The new Audi A6 allroad* is now available at Audi dealerships, starting at €77,250 for the six-cylinder diesel and €80,250 for the plug-in hybrid.
The A6 allroad delivers powerful and efficient performance thanks to its intelligently controlled quattro ultra all-wheel-drive system and electrified power units. In addition to the 3.0-liter V6 TDI with MHEV plus technology and an electrically powered compressor, the A6 allroad is now available as a plug-in hybrid for the first time.
The key facts
- The A6 allroad V6 TDI with MHEV plus technology and the A6 allroad e-hybrid are available at European dealerships
- quattro ultra all-wheel drive and electrified power units deliver strong and efficient performance
- quattro ultra combines the traction, driving dynamics, and safety of all-wheel drive with the efficiency of front-wheel drive
- By opening two clutches, components in the rear drivetrain can be decoupled, significantly reducing friction and drag torque
- The intelligent operating strategy engages quattro predictively, before any difference in driving dynamics becomes noticeable. The handling therefore feels like that of a permanent all-wheel-drive system
quattro when it matters, efficient when possible
quattro ultra uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch at the transmission output as well as an additional decoupling clutch in the rear axle differential. If all-wheel drive offers no tangible advantage in the current driving situation, the system opens both clutches. As a result, the driveshaft and the components of the rear drivetrain are temporarily decoupled, reducing friction and thereby increasing efficiency.
At the same time, all-wheel drive remains permanently available and is already active when needed. In standard operation at low load, when there is no chance of wheel slip, quattro ultra delivers the efficiency benefits of front-wheel drive.
The intelligent all-wheel-drive control system operates predictively and continuously evaluates parameters relating to driving dynamics, road conditions, and driver behavior. Among other things, it monitors and anticipates steering angle, load demand, transmission setting, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, body movements, and the friction coefficient. The system learns as it goes and adapts its operation to the driver profile and the selected Audi drive select mode: the more efficiently the vehicle is driven, the less active the all-wheel-drive system is. The more dynamically the vehicle is driven, the more frequently quattro all-wheel drive engages. Driver behavior and the duration of all-wheel-drive activity in specific situations are continuously incorporated into the calculations. This means the computational model predicts about 0.5 seconds in advance when all-wheel drive will be beneficial. If required, the complete engagement process – synchronizing the previously disconnected components and closing the decoupling clutch in the rear axle differential – takes approximately 200 milliseconds. As a result, all-wheel-drive is ready before it is needed. When setting off, cornering dynamically, accelerating sharply, or driving on road surfaces with a reduced friction coefficient, the system predictively prevents wheel slip.
“The transition between different operating modes of the all-wheel-drive system is imperceptible to the driver. What the driver feels in any situation is the traction and driving dynamics associated with quattro.”
- Rouven Mohr, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG
Intelligent torque distribution for traction and driving dynamics
In efficient front-wheel drive, 100 percent of drive torque is sent to the front axle. As soon as the driving situation requires it, the electronically controlled multi-plate clutch engages the rear-wheel drive. Torque distribution is based on traction, driving dynamics, and comfort, with the aim of providing the best possible power distribution in every situation. Under hard acceleration, a substantial share of power can be sent to the rear axle. According to internal measurements, more than 70 percent of torque is transferred to the rear wheels on dry roads.
A key technology with a long tradition
Audi is quattro – and quattro is Audi. Since 1980, all-wheel drive has stood for traction, driving dynamics, and safety. Over more than four decades, Audi has continuously developed the technology: from the manually locking center differential in the Ur-quattro, through various stages of Torsen differential development, to modern, intelligently controlled all-wheel-drive systems such as quattro ultra.
To date, Audi has produced more than 15.6 million vehicles with quattro drive — one-third of all vehicles produced since 1980. This makes quattro a defining element of the brand and a central technology in the Audi A6 allroad* for confident mobility on any surface.
Summary
With quattro ultra, driving dynamics, traction, and safety can be experienced while the drivetrain operates more efficiently in driving situations that do not require all-wheel drive. The system therefore contributes to the development goal of reducing consumption and emissions while preserving the quattro character the brand is known for.
Frequently asked questions
Since when has quattro with ultra technology been available?
The quattro with ultra technology was first introduced in 2016 and made its debut in the Audi A4 allroad quattro.
Which models use quattro with ultra technology?
The quattro ultra is used in many models based on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC): the Audi A5, Audi A6, and Audi Q5.
What advantage does quattro with ultra technology offer?
quattro ultra is an all-wheel-drive system optimized for efficiency that is indistinguishable from permanent systems in terms of traction and driving dynamics. If all-wheel drive offers no tangible advantage in the current driving situation, the system switches to front-wheel drive.
How does quattro ultra feel in practice?
quattro ultra is quattro, and that is exactly how it feels: safe, with plenty of reserves and considerable potential for driving enjoyment.
