How Audi cabins are changing in the electric age

With completely new architecture and platforms for the new generation of electric vehicles (EVs), interior designers have been making a fresh start to layouts and the design of various elements in cabins. With less legacy hardware to accommodate in the bodywork, more space is available and new approaches can be taken for optimisation of ergonomics.

First Audi model on PPE
The interior of the new Audi Q6 e‑tron shows how cabins are changing in the electric age. This is the brand’s first model series which uses the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) and new E3 electronics architecture of the Volkswagen Group.

Its  3-dimensional, high-contrast design deliberately places elements in the foreground or background, creating a 3-dimensional spatial architecture with aesthetics and ergonomics tuned to the occupants.

Unified appearance
The wraparound feel of the dashboard extends from the doors through the entire cockpit, unifying interior components as though they were designed as a single space. Areas emphasizing comfort stand out with their large surfaces and soft materials. In contrast, the precisely designed operating areas are finished in high-quality, high-gloss black to provide the necessary clarity when interacting with the vehicle.

Besides providing a feeling of spaciousness, this philosophy creates clarity as well as comfort. Low-lying and slim horizontal air vents add to the overall appearance. A set of controls in a ‘black panel’’ look is integrated into the door handle on the driver’s side and coordinates perfectly with the modern interior. It contains functions such as mirror settings, seat and door functions, and light and visibility settings.

The ‘digital stage’ within
The interior is dominated by the ‘digital stage’ with the Audi MMI panoramic display and the MMI front passenger display. The clearly grouped displays are perfectly integrated into the design concept and give the interior a spacious and airy feel.

The slim, free-standing Audi MMI panoramic display features a curved design and OLED technology and consists of the MMI panoramic display with an 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit and 14.5-inch MMI touch display.

The area within the driver’s reach is designed as an arc, and the display, with its curved shape, mirrors this. What’s more, the form of the curved display is reminiscent of the Singleframe that defines Audi’s look. Special ambient lighting makes the curved display appear to float at night.

Display for front passenger too
For the front passenger, the digital stage is systematically and individually complemented by the 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display, which is also perfectly integrated into the dashboard design.

An active privacy mode with shutter technology lets the passenger watch movies undisturbed without distracting the driver. At the same time, it enables the passenger to assist the driver if required, for example, with navigation.

Augmented reality HUD
The optional augmented reality (AR) head-up display (HUD) for the Q6 e‑tron represents a significant advance in display technology at Audi. The image plane is tilted forward for an enhanced AR experience. The focus of the human eye moves along with it and this process and the high virtual image distance create the impression that the items depicted are floating up to 200 metres away and that they interact directly with the environment.

The driver can thus quickly understand the displays without being confused or distracted by them. They offer significant support, particularly in conditions with poor visibility. The field of view for AR content corresponds to a diagonal of about 2.2 metres from the driver’s perspective.

Interaction light
In addition, there is the Interaction light (IAL), which offers a wide range of communication functions that aid the car in interacting with its occupants. It envelops the interior and the cockpit in a generous arc.

With its LEDs, the IAL performs three central functions. First, it helps stage the interior, for example, with a welcome function and displays when the vehicle is locked and unlocked. The IAL also assists with safety, eg visualizing the dynamic turn signals (does not replace them in the virtual cockpit).

Finally, it also visualizes other information, such as the charge level display and charging progress, shown as a pulsating light. The Interaction light is part of the ambient light package plus.

Fully connected digital interior
The new electronics platform provides the occupants with the maximum experience of digitalization. As the first model based on the new E3 architecture for cabins, the Q6 e‑tron is equipped with a fully connected digital interior. Various functions are now intelligently linked, enabling a new interior experience and innovative features.

Pricing for the Q6 e-tron has not been announced yet, but the first units should be in showrooms in Europe during the first quarter of 2024, just prior to the new A6 e-tron sedan.

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