Up to 465 miles of range for pure-electric Audi A6 e-tron
Big changes, big distances between charges
The new Audi A6 e-tron, a pure-electric replacement for the current A6, will be a tempting alternative to the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE when it goes on sale thanks to a one-shot driving range in excess of 465 miles, as well being made available as a performance derivative carrying the S6 e-tron nameplate.
It will be sold as both a five-door Sportback (coupé) and an Avant (estate), making it the first purely electric model from Audi which is offered in those two body types… but the new A6 e-tron’s introduction also signals the end of the four-door A6 saloon.
Highly aerodynamic shape
On the outside, the A6 e-tron in production form looks a lot like the concept car which previewed its arrival back in 2021.
Two-piece light units at the front are a new Audi feature from that concept, as the daytime running lamps are the higher items on the A6 e-tron’s nose, while the main headlights and high-beams are largely hidden in the Audi’s “mask” below.
Like the recently revealed Audi A5 family, the LED front and Oled rear lights on the A6 e-tron have eight different signatures for owners to choose from, with one of them including a setting that gives the rear clusters the appearance that they’re shimmering.
What isn’t so easy to see is that the A6 e-tron is the most aerodynamic model Audi has ever produced. Indeed, the company claims that, with a coefficient of drag of as low as 0.21 (similar to the Tesla Model S), the A6 e-tron is also the most aerodynamic product on sale in the entire Volkswagen Group of vehicles.
This has been achieved through the low, slippery shape of the Sportback, along with active aerodynamics, alloy wheels optimised to cut through the air in the most efficient manner, and other hidden tricks including a flat underside to reduce drag.
The A6 e-tron Avant is not quite as aerodynamic, recording 0.24, but that’s still one of the best aero figures for any estate car, claims the German company.
From 397 to 465 miles of range
That leads to some excellent range figures from the A6 e-tron family, which sits on the company’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) underpinnings, which is used for the closely related Q6 e-tron electric SUV and the new Porsche Macan.
With a battery capacity of 100kWh (94.9kWh usable), the longest-range A6 e-tron Sportback lays claim to the 465-miles-plus range figure, although Audi says the Avant isn’t too far behind with more than 447 miles possible under test conditions. Of course, in the real world (and especially cold climates) those figures will be lower, but around 400 miles might be possible, depending on conditions.
The S6, meanwhile, which has more powerful motors than the regular A6 e-tron, produces up to 544bhp for a 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds. However it doesn’t go as far on a charge of the same battery pack — starting at around 397 miles for an S6 e-tron Avant and rising to 416 miles on the S6 e-tron Sportback, according to the same official tests.
Not that the regular A6 e-tron is slow, though, because it has 362bhp and a 5.4-second 0-62mph time; more than enough for anyone’s reasonable needs.
High speed charging
Those still worrying about range needn’t be too stressed, however, as the A6 e-tron’s underpinnings mean it has 800-volt electrical architecture. That results in a ultra-rapid charging at up to 270kW DC, with a 10-80 per cent top up possible in just 21 minutes, Audi says.
The German carmaker will initially sell the A6 e-tron and S6 e-tron cars with a maximum 11kW rate for AC charging, which is typical on home wallboxes, although a 22kW option will be offered later.
Beyond the power and charging, the A6 e-tron will have regenerative braking capability powerful enough to recoup up to 220kW of otherwise-lost kinetic energy, and Audi reckons this technique can manage 95 per cent of all braking duties in everyday driving.
Other chassis equipment will include fully adaptive air suspension and the company’s quattro all-wheel drive through the use of a motor on each axle.
High-tech interior
Inside, the massive Audi MMI Panoramic Display is to become the norm for the brand. It is used in the Q6 e-tron and incoming A5 family, as well as for this A6 e-tron line and, presumably, incoming models such as the next-generation Q5 SUV.
The huge “digital stage” is predicated on a central 14.5in touchscreen for the main infotainment, alongside an 11.9in instrument cluster and the option of a 10.9in front passenger display.
Further high-tech highlights include an augmented-reality head-up display and the option of an 830-watt, 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with a 3D surround set-up.
Pricing for the new A6 e-tron has yet to be announced.
Related articles
- If you found news on the new Audi A6 e-tron interesting, you may want to read our review of a prototype of the updated Audi S3
- You might also like to read our review of the BMW M3 Touring
- Have you seen the interior of the 2024 Audi Q6 e-tron?
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