Audi has decided to do away with the internal combustion engine in one of its most popular models, transforming the A6 Sportback and Avant into purely electric models.
How do we know? Well, the German brand has added “e-tron” after the model designation, but it has also decided that all its odd-numbered models (A3, A5, A7, etc.) will be the ones with dirty tailpipes from now on.
Alongside the new nomenclature is a bold new look, staying true to the original concept first revealed at the 2021 Shanghai Motor Show and borrowing some elements from the e-tron GT sports car.
Many of these design elements not only look good, but are also highly functional. Audi claims this is the most aerodynamically efficient model to date.
The A6 Sportback has a drag coefficient of 0.21 Cd, while the estate-style Avant boasts a Cd factor of 0.24. If these numbers don't ring a bell, don't worry, but a quick internet search reveals that it's right up there with the McLaren Speedtail and Porsche Taycan, both of which are among the slipperiest cars ever to roll off a production line.
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This is achieved with air curtains at the front, an electronically controlled air duct, aerodynamic underbody, multiple spoilers and even the option of special aerodynamic wheels.
Oh, and the thin stalks with cameras bolted to the ends are now a fixed Audi aerodynamic feature, replacing the standard wing mirrors, much to the frustration of some. Apparently, the designers have placed the live video streaming screens higher up in the cabin, making the viewing experience more natural for the driver.
All of these marginal gains have a big impact on battery range, because Audi claims it can achieve 466 miles from the 100kWh packs in the Sportback variant, while the larger and arguably more practical Avant manages 447 miles.
Based on the new PPE platform (shared with Porsche and no, it has nothing to do with masks), the new A6 e-tron features an 800V electrical architecture for faster charging speeds, with maximum DC rates set at 270kW.
Even the standard cars, which curiously carry the Performance badge, offer 362bhp from a rear-mounted engine, while the powerful S6 will benefit from all-wheel drive via two motors and a total system output of 543bhp. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds.
At the forefront of technology
Audi has put its technological might into the new A6 e-tron, equipping the interior with an 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit for the driver, a 14.5-inch MMI touchscreen that sits in the middle and an extra-special 10.9-inch front passenger MMI screen to entertain those in the passenger seat.
This is a similar setup to the one we have installed in the new Porsche Panamera and allows the passenger to browse through cat photos on social media without distracting the driver. All thanks to a special coating on the screen that makes it invisible from certain angles.
There’s no official word on pricing, though we expect it to start at around $90,000/£70,000/AU$140,000 when it goes on sale. This puts it squarely in the firing line of its two closest German rivals: the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE.
