Audi A6 Is Now An E-tron in Avant and Sportback Flavours

Audi’s mid-size luxo favourite is now an electric offering only, and the A6 e-tron be available as a Sportback or an Avant estate. It follows closely the Audi A6 e-tron concept that first showed up in 2021.

In its latest guise it is an aero-optimised design and zero-emissions. Both variants launch in Europe before the end of the year.

Range is a claimed 750km maximum, while 270kW ultra-fast charging is possible. Rear-drive and quattro models are offered, while the S6 flagship can scamper to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds.

The A6 saloon-style body is no more, a sportback shape better for aeros. Its boot lid is hinged from the roofline rather than at the base of the window, boosting practicality for load luggers (502-1422L). Alternatively, there’s the A6 Avant.

Both models ride on the new PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture. Each has a 27L stowage area under the hood, and they have a 2100kg braked tow capacity.

Up front, thin DRLs sit outside an inverted grille while headlights are a slimline design. The car’s radars and sensors sit front and centre, highlighting its technical make-up.

Wheels are 19-21 inches in diameter and are pushed to the corners, highlighting the extended wheelbase.

Flush door handles are standard while digital mirrors are optional. A6 e-tron gets a charge port on either side; one is for DC fast charging and the another for AC home refills. With 800-volt electric architecture, recharging from a 270kW unit takes 21 minutes. Adding 320km of range requires 10 minutes of charging under optimal conditions.

The Sportback has a claimed Cd of 0.21, even lower than that of the BMW i5. Avant’s is 0.24, similar to the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo’s.

A full-width LED light bar graces the rear. S line cars come with an S located within a small red rhombus on the bootlid, above the bumper and diffuser. The S comes with extra silver trim. An RS model is likely.

Inside is like a Q6, the 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster joined to the 14.5-inch central touchscreen. A passenger screen is optional. 

A6 e-tron options include an augmented-reality head-up display, and an electrochromic glass roof that can switch between opaque and translucent.

A ‘soft wrap’ fabric panel runs across of the dash. Areas around the screens have a high-gloss black finish.

The standard A6 e-tron has a 210kW rear motor (0-100 in six seconds) mated to an 83kWh battery for a 606km range. Next up is the A6 e-tron Performance, offering 270kW (0-100 in 5.4sec). It has a 100kWh battery, with a claimed 746km of range (Avant 715km). 

The A6 e-tron quattro uses the same 100kWh battery and with twin motors is good for 315kW. It makes haste to 100km/h in 4.5sec while it can almost manage 700km of range. By contrast, the S6 outputs 370kW but range drops to 666km.

Recuperation is via paddles or B-mode which offers one-pedal driving. There’s also an adaptive mode so almost all deceleration is done without resorting to the brake pedal.

Audi says dynamics are a special feature. Adaptive air suspension is optional, with four different ride height levels. In eco mode the system lowers the body a further 20mm to reduce drag and improve range.

Pricing and spec are not yet to hand.