Peel Back Your Eyelids for Audi Q6 E-Tron's Display-tastic Interior

Much of the conversation about the vanguard of automotive technology currently centers around electric motors and self-driving software. However, we shouldn't forget that the future of the automobile will fundamentally change how drivers and passengers interact with vehicles. Touchscreens and LED lighting technology are getting to a place where they can convey more information to a driver at a glance than analog dials, shifters can be placed anywhere, and even steering wheels could disappear on self-driving cars.

The new Audi Q6 E-tron isn't quite there yet on that last part, but it is on the cutting edge when it comes to display tech and interacting with passengers. We have a brand new peek at the new Q6 E-tron's interior and there is some Tony Stark-level gadgetry on display.

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The Audi Q6 E-Tron Has All Of The Screens

It's hard not to notice the Audi Q6 E-Tron's massive panoramic screen. The display houses an 11.9-inch "virtual cockpit" which is where the driver will see vital info and next to that within the same panoramic piece is another 14.5-inch multimedia interface (MMI) touch display that handles infotainment and climate controls. Keen eyes will notice that the curved display is angled ever-so-slightly toward the driver but the infotainment segment of the screen is still easily reachable by and legible to the passenger.

Additionally, the passenger gets their own 10.9-inch MMI touch display integrated into the dashboard. This display features an active privacy mode with shutter technology that allows the passenger to watch movies without it being distracting to the driver (similar tech has been around for a time, and is in modern Mercedes and Jeep models with passenger-side screens). It can also display infotainment content; for example GPS data can be moved to it so that the passenger can help with navigation.

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The Augmented Reality HUD is Basically JARVIS

Besides the three that we've already mentioned, there is an optional fourth display that isn't noticeable at a glance. If buyers choose, they can have an Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (AR HUD) installed in the dashboard. It projects a large, tilted display across the windshield that's only visible to the driver. The AR HUD can project speed, traffic signs, navigation, and other assistance icons. The image plane is tilted forward for a 3D effect and can follow where the driver focuses their eyes. The technology can give the impression that images are projected up to 656 feet in front of the car.

Audi says the field of view for the AR HUD corresponds to a diagonal of 88-inches from the driver's perspective. Audi also claims that the AR HUD will be particularly helpful in driving conditions with poor visibility. If the tech wizards at Audi figured out how to allow the driver to control the AR HUD just by the direction they glance with their eyes or with gestures, we'd be in full-on JARVIS territory, but we're not quite there yet. That being said, if the AR HUD is executed in an intuitive way that isn't distracting or annoying for the driver to interact with, then it could be neat. We'll have to find out for ourselves once we go on our first drive.

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Interaction Light Reminds Us Of Knight Rider

It would seem that Audi's interior tech engineers were big fans of Knight Rider back in the '80s. They seemingly took "K.I.T.T. 's" most defining feature and added it to the Q6 E-Tron's dashboard. If you're under 35 years old and have no idea what we're talking about, allow us to explain. The Audi Q6 E-Tron features what the automaker calls an "Interaction Light" or "IAL." The IAL is a long, thin LED light strip that can "communicate" with the driver via various animations and color changes.

For example, the IAL can serve as a progress bar when the Q6 E-Tron is charging, or it can visualize dynamic turn signals. The IAL can also display welcome animations, indicate when the vehicle is locked, and integrates into the overall interior ambient lighting.

You Can Talk to Your Audi

Audi partnered with software developer CARIAD to create an entirely new Android-based infotainment platform. Within the platform is a self-learning voice assistant that allows the user to control various functions online or offline. The user only needs to say "Hey Audi" followed by a "dialogue" with the assistant to help with things like finding the nearest charging station. The assistant would pull up a list of charging stations which would be presorted using AI. According to Audi, the assistant continuously "learns" from the user's behavior to offer the "best possible support. That includes proactive suggestions, "smart routines," and "intelligent lists."

On top of that, for the first time, the digital assistant will be represented by its own avatar displayed in the dashboard and the Augmented Reality HUD. Is anyone else getting strong HAL 9000 vibes from this?

Spacious and Sustainable

While the technology certainly takes center-stage in the Q6 E-Tron, it isn't the only player. An SUV's interior tech doesn't matter if there isn't actually room for utility. Audi says the Q6 E-Tron's trunk offers 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space. When the rear row of seats folded down the cargo space expands to 54 cubic feet. The Q6 E-Tron also offers a scant 2.6 cubic feet of frunk space that can store the EV's charging cable and a few small bags. We don't know how much passenger space the Q6 E-Tron offers, but that info should come later.

As you might expect from a luxury brand, the seats can be adorned in Nappa leather. However, other sustainable materials can are available options. The "Softwrap" in the S Line variant is made from "Elastic Melange" which is 100% recycled polyester. In the S Line and S model the sport seats can be optioned with Dinamica microfiber which is made from recycled material. The Q6 E-Tron's floormats are made from "Econyl" which is made from recycled fishing nets, recycled carpets, and upcycled industrial waste.

In case you couldn't already tell, the Audi Q6 E-Tron's interior is going to be loaded with features. Once we go hands-on with it, we'll let you know if it all works in harmony or is just a confusing unintuitive mess.