The PPE underpinning used by the stylish e-tron A6 concept is crucial for this make and Porsche.

THE soon-to-land e-tron GT sedan and its RS flagship are good reminders that Audi’s electric brand isn’t just about sports utilities – but just in case that message hasn’t resonated, here’s another passenger car concept that enforces it all the more.

The e-tron A6 styling study revealed by the brand doesn’t just serve to preview how the next generation of large Audis will look – which, in this instance, is sedan-ish but with a dollop of influence from the A7 Sportback. It is also a debut for a new electric platform designed specifically for bigger models.

In respect to exterior dimension, the A6 e-tron is very similar in size to the current Audi A6 and A7, though the concept's wheelbase is longer, and the overhangs shorter. Audi has dropped fat hints that these proportions will make it through to production.

Audi has only released images of the exterior. The display car rides on five-spoke, 22-inch alloy wheels, has cameras instead of door mirrors and no visible door handles. Dig the flared arches and an interesting black design element that breaks up the 'Heliosilver' paint and stylishly links in with another black section in the rear bumper.

Viewed from the rear, a significant diffuser can also be seen. It's part of a suite of aerodynamic measures to reduce drag. Audi quotes a coefficient of just 0.22.

The A6 e-tron's head lights use Digital Matrix LED technology and can even project a high-resolution display onto a wall or screen in front of the car. To demonstrate this, Audi has created a smartphone game that can be played on the projected screen. The lights can also maximise illumination of the road ahead without blinding other road users, and project various symbols and patterns to enhance safety.

The tail lights use digital OLED tech, allowing customisable light signatures and start-up light shows in 3D. Indicators are also high-res LED projectors, with the ability to project signals onto the road. Projectors are integrated into each side sill, to display welcome messages.

The most important aspect of the A6 e-tron is one you can’t see. The car is on the new PPE - Premium Platform Electric – underpinning which designed for large Audi and Porsche electric cars. Production models using PPE roll out in late 2022. It’s thought the first will be the Audi Q6 e-tron SUV, followed by an A6 e-tron in 2023.

The concept's battery pack is said to hold about 100kWh of energy, fuelling an electric motor on each axle. Maximum outputs are quoted as 350kW and 800Nm of torque.

Audi says that the most powerful versions of the A6 e-tron will do 0-100kmh in less than four seconds, while the most efficient models, using just one rear-mounted electric motor, should achieve more than 700 kilometres on a charge.

Like the e-tron GT and RS, the PPE cars will use an 800-volt architecture, allowing rapid charging at up to 270kW.

Thought is that other PPE cars in the Audi pipeline will include an A4 e-tron, a Q5 e-tron, a Q7/Q8 e-tron and perhaps an electric A8 e-tron.