Three years after the concept, here is the new 100% electric A6 finally unveiled in its final form. It promises over 700 km of range.
After several quiet years without major innovations, Audi is back in business in 2024. All the projects that were delayed, mainly due to software issues, are coming to fruition all at once! This spring, we saw the unveiling of the Q6 e-tron, followed by the new A5 family a few weeks ago (replacing the old A4 and A5). And now, it’s time for the A6 e-tron, the new flagship from the Audi family, offered exclusively in electric form (although a thermal model will follow).
Already available in sedan and wagon
The A6 e-tron was announced by a concept unveiled in 2021. The production version closely resembles it, hence the feeling of déjà vu! At the front, there is a closed Singleframe grille in the body color. It is surrounded by a black mask that encapsulates the main headlights, air intakes, and sensors for driving aids, a clever way to make them invisible and highlight the grille and slim headlights that form the lighting signature.
In its sedan silhouette, the A6 e-tron is a Sportback, with a sloping roofline extending to the rear and a third side window forming a point. At the bottom of the doors, there is a black insert that, according to Audi, highlights the presence of the battery. This design continues into the rear bumper. The only major change from the concept is the slightly less slim taillights ending with a notch in the fenders.
Upon its presentation, the A6 e-tron comes in two body styles: the Sportback and the Avant wagon, an important variation for the European market. While the wagon offers more practicality, it doesn’t compromise on style, featuring sharp shoulders and a sloping rear window.
Audi has focused on aerodynamics by working on the body shape, underbody, and wheels. The Sportback boasts a drag coefficient of only 0.21, while the wagon is at 0.24. There is an option for cameras instead of traditional side mirrors.
A plethora of screens
If you admire the minimalist interiors of some electric models, the Audi A6 e-tron might not be for you. The cabin design is busy with multiple screens, including an 11.9-inch instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch infotainment screen, and a 10.9-inch display for the passenger (not visible to the driver).
These screens are set above the “soft wrap”, a decorative strip with a soft material that extends into the doors. The side mirrors have been replaced by camera screens mounted on the inner side of the doors. To reduce visual clutter, the air vents are discreetly integrated.
Optional features include an augmented reality head-up display, remote updates, advanced voice control, and a Chat GPT assistant. The interior can be illuminated by a panoramic glass roof that can be made opaque.
Rapid recharging times
The A6 e-tron is based on the PPE platform, introduced a few months earlier with the Q6 and the Porsche Macan. Two technical configurations are available at launch, including the sporty S6 e-tron. The standard variant features a 270 kW (367 hp) rear-wheel-drive setup, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. The S6 is a Quattro model with one motor on each axle, totaling 370 kW (503 hp) and up to 405 kW (550 hp) with overboost. The S6 reaches 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.
Both models are equipped with a 100 kWh battery (94.9 kWh net capacity). The Sportback offers up to 757 km of range in mixed driving conditions, while the wagon provides up to 721 km. The S6 models have ranges of 676 km and 648 km, respectively.
The PPE platform utilizes an 800V architecture, enabling fast charging of up to 270 kW. Audi guarantees consistent charge curves up to 80%. In ideal conditions, charging from 10% to 80% takes just 21 minutes.
For locations with 400V charging stations, the A6 e-tron can utilize “bank charging”. The 800-volt battery is divided into two banks, each at 400 volts, allowing parallel charging at up to 135 kW.
On the AC side, an 11 kW onboard charger is standard, with a 22 kW option available later. The regenerative braking system can recover up to 220 kW, with a two-level recovery option controlled by steering wheel paddles. The car features a B mode that mimics one-pedal driving.
The new A6 electric models can be pre-ordered starting in October, with prices ranging from €66,500 to €91,500 for the A6 e-tron Sportback and €68,000 to €93,000 for the Avant wagon. The S6 e-tron prices will be around €105,000 to €106,500.