A6 Avant TFSI e quattro

A tried and true luxury performer in the large, luxury ranks, the Audi A6 Avant now becomes the latest model to join the brand’s move to offer a full-electric or plug-in hybrid variant within each of its model ranges.

An A6 Avant in every practical sense, but with with an electric drive and the ability to travel with zero local emissions, the A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro joins the Audi A8 and A6 Sedan in the ‘e’ ranks, with a system output of 270kW. This is derived from its 2.0 TFSI engine producing 185kW and 370Nm of torque with a powerful electric motor. The permanently excited synchronous machine has a peak output of 105kW and a peak torque of 350Nm. Together with the separating clutch, it is integrated into a seven-speed S tronic, which uses ultra technology to transfer the drive torque to a quattro drivetrain. 

This means that the Audi A6 Avant PHEV has an efficient and permanently available all-wheel drive system for an equally high level of traction and dynamic handling – the system torque reaching its maximum 500Nm from as low as 1250rpm. 

The Audi A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro has a fully electric range of 51 kilometres in the WLTP cycle, and accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.7 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h, while in purely electric drive it can hit 135km/h. 

Drivers choose between the three drive modes, with EV for all-electric driving, Hybrid for a combination of both drive types and “Hold” to conserve the electrical energy available at any given time. 

In ‘Hybrid’ mode, the predictive operating strategy ensures maximum efficiency and the maximum possible amount of electric driving. It controls the drivetrain so that the last stage of the journey before getting to the destination can be covered in all-electric mode and the battery is charged up beforehand via the engine where necessary. The predictive efficiency assist takes over the fine planning of a stage of the journey, drawing on the navigation, online traffic events, the customer’s driving style, and the vehicle sensors to plan the management of the drives and deciding between freewheeling with the engine deactivated and coasting recuperation. 

Customers can use the myAudi app to manage charging and pre-entry climate control even before they set off. The air conditioning system operates together with a highly efficient heat pump that uses the waste heat from the electrical drive components. 

The lithium-ion battery, stores 14.1kWh of energy and is located into the rear of the vehicle so that the boot area still provides a level and convenient luggage space. That space is 405 litres of luggage storage as standard, but fold down the rear seats and that capacity expands to massive 1535 litres of storage. 

Visually, there is little to differentiate the A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro from its conventional brethren, save for the subtle ‘e quattro’ badging on the elegant rear tailgate and the additional ‘e’ displays within the Virtual Cockpit.

Externally it also includes the S line exterior package, black styling package, black exterior mirrors and privacy glass as standard. Likewise, Matrix LED headlights, sport suspension, 19-inch wheels, and red brake calipers are all standard equipment. 

While inside, sport seats, four-zone automatic air conditioning and the aforementioned Virtual cockpit are standard appointment in the beautifully finished interior. All the finish, performance and practicality that has made the Audi Avant such a tremendous success, now with the added versatility of up to 50km of zero emissions, all-electric drive. 

At time of writing, the A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro was still being evaluated for Australian distribution.