Sascha Heyde and Wolf Seebers live next door to each other, with adjacent garages where they love to spend their time together. Both are car enthusiasts and have been friends for 20 years. As Audi exterior designers, they have played a pivotal role in shaping the A6 e-tron family.
They first revealed their vision through the striking A6 e-tron concept and A6 Avant e-tron concept. Now, they have successfully transitioned these designs and technologies into series production. Here, they share insights on turning their ideals into reality and discuss the collaborative journey that brought the A6 e-tron to life.
The Importance of Concept Cars
When asked if concept cars are still necessary, Sascha Heyde emphasized that concepts are visions without constraints, allowing for free and uncompromising creativity. He believes we live in a unique era for automotive design, where sustainable solutions and the evolution of Audi’s high-performance and premium quality DNA for the electric age are paramount. Concepts enable designers to break down old barriers, create new possibilities, and innovate rapidly.
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Wolf Seebers added that modern cars are more than just a means of transportation; they are companions, design objects, and expressions of personality. Concepts help designers explore and define these spaces without limitations.
From Concept to Reality: The A6 e-tron
In 2021, the Audi A6 e-tron concept debuted as the precursor to an innovative electric vehicle family. Initially, there were no technical constraints, allowing designers to focus on ideal proportions, resulting in concept cars with a flatter, broader stance than typical production models.
Heyde explained that at the beginning of a project, they determine whether a concept car will be a precursor to upcoming production models or a speculative glimpse into the future. For production-oriented concepts, they can initially set aside technical requirements and prioritize design proportions.
Seebers recalled how early concepts, like the Audi TT unveiled at the 1995 IAA in Frankfurt, closely resembled their production counterparts despite necessary safety adjustments. They achieved something similar with the A6 e-tron, maintaining the essence of the concept in the production model.
Design Influences of the Premium Platform Electric (PPE)
The A6 e-tron’s design is influenced by Audi’s new technology architecture, the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). Seebers noted that proportions are crucial, and they aimed to retain the attractive silhouette of the concept car. The challenge lay in the vehicle’s height due to the battery placement. To visually compensate for this, they developed an inlay in the rocker panel to introduce a horizontal cut, adding another segment to the side profile.
Heyde highlighted that this inlay has become a distinguishing feature of their electric models, seen in the Q6 e-tron and the new e-tron GT series. They wanted to keep the front end of the A6 e-tron close to the concept, with a high-tech and futuristic look achieved through the inverted Singleframe and highly accentuated daytime running lights.
Seebers praised their ability to achieve a progressive yet quintessentially Audi design, retaining 95 percent of the concept car’s proportions in the production model.
The Avant Concept
In 2022, a year after the Sportback, the Avant concept was introduced, which will also hit the roads in 2024. Seebers emphasized that their first fully electric Avant needed to retain the sportiness and practicality characteristic of this body style. They experimented extensively with the design, particularly focusing on the lean of the C-pillar, a critical element in achieving the right look.
Heyde explained the importance of the C-pillar’s angle, as it affects the roofline and overall aesthetics. They spent considerable time perfecting the clay model to achieve the perfect angle, drawing inspiration from design classics like the Audi 100 C2 Avant. They also introduced a unique chrome trim that connects with the roof spoiler, reducing the vehicle’s visual height and emphasizing its sporty, elegant character.
Aerodynamics and Functionality
Achieving top marks for aerodynamics was a key goal for the A6 e-tron. Seebers noted that good design must be functional, and aerodynamics were crucial for maximizing the electric range. Throughout the design process, they collaborated closely with the Aerodynamics team, fine-tuning and testing to ensure optimal performance.
The result was a harmonious blend of form and function, achieving the best Cd value ever for a series Audi model. Seebers recalled the excitement of achieving this milestone, a testament to their meticulous design work.
Collaboration and Friendship
Heyde and Seebers’ collaboration was instrumental in the A6 e-tron’s success. Heyde focused on the creative aspects, while Seebers served as the link to the technological counterparts. Their teamwork, driven by passion, was crucial in refining every detail.
They also worked closely with Gerhard Lawall from the Surfaces team, who ensured the digital and geometric accuracy of the model’s surfaces. Lawall, with almost 40 years at Audi, brought his extensive experience to this groundbreaking project, exemplifying the blend of tradition and innovation that defines Audi.
Seebers reflected on the unique nature of their job, noting that while the A6 e-tron will be replicated thousands of times for customers, for them, it will always remain a one-of-a-kind sculpture.
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