Audi Q6 e-tron First Revealed to Domestic Press
Control of 800 Functions via ChatGPT-Based Assistant
New Electric Vehicle Platform PPE, First Applied to Brand
255 km Driving Range with 10-Minute Charge...Distance Between Seoul and Gumi
80% Charge in 21 Minutes...Speed Increased with 800V
"Hey Audi, I'm going to Munich."
"Yes. I will set the destination to your frequently visited restaurant in downtown Munich."
On the 26th of last month (local time), the Audi Q6 e-tron met in Ingolstadt, Germany, responded like this. While existing voice recognition assistants required the destination to be stated directly to set it, now the vehicle, understanding the driver's usual routes, inputs the destination automatically. This is thanks to the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) ChatGPT. Drivers can control over 800 functions by voice through the digital assistant equipped with ChatGPT.
On this day, Audi showcased the mid-size electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) Audi Q6 e-tron to domestic reporters in Ingolstadt, Germany. This car is the first Audi brand electric vehicle applying the Volkswagen Group's PPE (Premium Platform Electric) platform and ChatGPT. This is the first time Audi has revealed the actual Q6 e-tron to domestic media. It is scheduled for official release in Europe this month and will be launched in Korea early next year.
An Audi Q6 e-tron representative is demonstrating navigation voice control using ChatGPT. [Photo by Woo Su-yeon]
The generative AI-based digital assistant enables not only information retrieval but also human-like interactions. For example, previously, to lower the air conditioner temperature via voice recognition, a direct expression like "Lower the indoor temperature to 19 degrees" was necessary, but now, even vague expressions like "I'm too hot" allow the generative AI to understand the driver's intent and control the vehicle accordingly.
Recently, the automotive industry has been adopting driver assistants utilizing generative AI as a trend. It can recommend routes considering weather, people searches, usual driving habits, and movement patterns. To protect personal information, all questions and answers are deleted after the search. Audi expects Korean consumers, who are more sensitive to digital technology than any other market worldwide, to recognize the true value of the Q6 e-tron integrated with ChatGPT.
Christian Steinhorst, Product Manager (PM), said, "Korean consumers are sensitive to digital technology and have a high acceptance rate," adding, "It is a market expected to respond well to the Q6 e-tron, which applies advanced technologies such as driver assistance systems, end-to-end architecture, and AR (augmented reality) navigation."
Until now, Audi's electric SUV lineup had only two options: compact (Q4 e-tron) and premium large (Q8 e-tron), but this time, the globally most demanded mid-size SUV was added. Audi applied the new electric vehicle platform PPE for the first time in the brand with the Q6 e-tron, reducing energy consumption by 30% and weight by 20%. Additionally, two motors producing a combined maximum output of 285 kW (based on all-wheel drive) are placed on the front and rear axles to enhance driving performance. The zero-to-100 km/h acceleration time is 5.9 seconds. It is normally all-wheel drive, but depending on the driver's preference, the front motor can be turned off to run in rear-wheel drive.
The highlight of this car is the battery. It is equipped with a 100 kW NCM (Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese) battery capable of 800V high-voltage charging through innovative technology. The charging power speed has been increased up to 270 kW. To increase total power, either current or voltage must be raised, and Audi chose to double the voltage.
Thanks to this, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% capacity in 21 minutes. When fully charged to 100%, it can travel 625 km based on all-wheel drive (European certification standard). Charging for just 10 minutes provides a driving range sufficient to travel between Seoul and Gumi, Gyeongbuk (255 km). If an 800V rapid charger is not available nearby, 400V charging is also possible. In this case, the battery is divided into two parts and charged in parallel with 400V on each side. Although the charging speed slows down, the burden (resistance) on the battery is reduced.
The interior design observed from the driver's seat has also changed dramatically. Electric vehicles on the existing MEB platform had multiple separated displays, giving a cramped feeling, but the new Q6 e-tron features a horizontally connected panoramic display (11.9 inches + 14.5 inches) that provides an open impression. Additionally, the passenger seat is equipped with a separate 10.9-inch display, allowing passengers to enjoy entertainment such as games, movies, and various external apps. However, to prevent distraction while driving, a 'privacy shutter' system is implemented so that the passenger screen is not visible from the driver's seat during driving. The European sales price starts from 68,800 euros (approximately 115.3 million KRW).
Steinhorst PM emphasized, "The Q6 e-tron is an electric vehicle that integrates all of Audi's latest technologies," adding, "I am confident that it will be a successful model in Korea once launched, creating a virtuous cycle with Korea's well-established charging infrastructure (with fast chargers)."
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