A6 range enters electric arena

Hot on the heels of the Q6 e-tron range’s international release, Audi has unveiled the A6 and S6 e-tron lineups, the second model to utilise the brand’s PPE platform developed in conjunction with Porsche. The first Audi models to be offered as both an Avant and a Sportback, the A6 and S6 e-trons not only represent a completely different direction in terms of body styles in the electric class, but also offer impressive technology and range of over 700km.

The ‘family genes’ are evident in the design of both the Avant and the Sportback, yet with their own distinctive style, reinterpreted as they are as all-electric models. Audi has a long and storied history of designing striking wagon or ‘Avant’ vehicles, so the A6 Avant e-tron draws on that rich heritage and further refines it in this all-electric guise. Likewise the Sportback is another Audi model pillar and one that particularly lends itself to the slippery shape required to deliver optimum aerodynamics – something both of these new vehicles do in spades.

Indeed the A6 Sportback e-tron lays claim to the title of the most aerodynamic Audi of all time with its slippery drag coefficient of 0.21, while its Avant sibling also manages the extraordinary figure of 0.24, which make it the best in its segment.

To achieve these figures which in turn contribute to the impressive range, considerable work has taken place around the front end, with optimised air curtains which increase airflow around the front end and wheels. In addition, a controllable cool-air intake under the Singleframe further aids in airflow around the front end. 

Although hidden from view, the underside of the A6 e-tron has come in for serious attention, with a largely sealed underside that also features specially adapted wheel trims and 3D bumps ahead of the front wheels all designed for unimpeded airflow. 

Indeed every conceivable surface and device for optimising airflow has been successfully employed in the designs, from optional second-generation virtual side mirrors which can now fold electronically, right down to a number of the wheel designs on offer. 

These start at 19-inch with a five-arm design, while the S line model pick up 20-inch rims finished in a graphite grey. The range-topping S6 models also get 20-inch rolling stock as standard but can option these up to 21-inch wheels. In all there are nine designs available across the wheel range which includes six from Audi Sport.

While the aerodynamic shape of the A6 e-tron add to their effectiveness and range, they are also visually strong and distinctive, imbuing both the Sportback and Avant with an undeniably sporty look while retaining an air of sophistication. The large air intake and treatment around the grille also add visually to the purposeful front end on each model.

At a glance, a more aggressive front grille treatment and silver highlights on the huge front air intakes and rear diffuser differentiate the S6 from the A6 e-tron models, in addition to larger wheels and brake callipers.

There are also numerous of examples of clever technology being employed to enhance the overall user experience as well as integrating into the design. The optional panoramic glass roof for example, goes from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button, allowing the vehicle’s occupants to let the sunshine in or effectively use the system as a digital curtain as and when desired, thanks to the use of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal technology (PDLC).

As with all Audi models, lighting plays an important role in the design as well as serving the practical application of delivering exceptional lighting performance. Up front, the Audi A6 e-tron family offers digital daytime running lights with LED technology as an option as well as second-generation digital OLED lights on the rear.

New lighting technology enables an array of lighting signatures and car-to-x communication, pushing the envelope of what is possible in automotive lighting even further than ever before. With up to eight digital light signatures in the newly designed digital daytime running lights of the Matrix LED headlights and in the digital OLED rear lights 2.0, drivers can personalise their A6 e-tron in a completely new way, depending on the selected equipment.

In addition, by expanding on functions like the proximity detection already familiar on some current Audi models, the digital OLED rear lights 2.0 expands the safety function with the inclusion of the communication light, which warms other road users of accidents and breakdowns up ahead.

In addition to the regular taillight graphics, the communication light displays a specific static taillight signature with integrated warning symbols in the digital OLED rear light 2.0 in critical driving or traffic situations. For those following one of these vehicles, the illuminated Audi four-ringed logo on the rear will also instantly identify members of the A6 e-tron family.

Although specific models destined for Australian launch were yet to be confirmed at time of writing, the A6 e-tron will initially launch in Europe with both a rear-wheel drive A6 e-tron performance model (270kW) and a 370kW S6 e-tron version with quattro all-wheel drive, both available as a Sportback and Avant. 

The use of highly efficient motors and a 100kWh lithium-ion battery newly developed for the PPE platform, combine to deliver a truly impressive 750km range for the A6 Sportback e-tron and more than 720km for the A6 Avant e-tron.

With its system output of up to 270kW, the A5 Sportback and Avant e-tron performance hits 100km/h from a standstill in 5.4 seconds on the way to a top speed of 210km/h, while the S6 e-tron outputs 370kW (405kW with launch control) and reaches 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds from a standing start. The S version sports a top speed of 240km/h and a range of over 670km as a Sportback and 640km in Avant guise.

With 800-volt technology and a maximum DC charging capacity of 270kW as standard, in ideal conditions the A6 e-tron performance can add a cool 310km of range in just 10 minutes. Or if a charging station works with 400-volt technology, the Audi A6 e-tron* can use bank charging, splitting the 800-volt battery into two banks, each with a voltage of 400 volts, which can then be charged in parallel with up to 135kW. 

Then there is the advanced recuperation (regenerative braking) system which can handle around
95 percent of everyday braking processes with the vehicle able to recuperate up to 220kW. Driving dynamics tend to the more dynamic end of the scale on both launch models, with the S6 variants obviously representing the pinnacle in that respect. Both models have differently sized tyres on the front and rear axles for maximum stability while standard suspension is geared to a more dynamic drive.

The optional adaptive air suspension – an air suspension system with controlled damping – lends the vehicle a broad spread between high ride comfort and sporty handling. Depending on the speed and individual preferences, it adapts to specific road conditions and regulates the body’s ride height at four different levels. 

Then there is the efficiency mode in Audi drive select which lowers the body by 20 millimetres depending on the speed to improve the vehicle’s aerodynamics. This serves to optimise energy consumption and increase range.

The rear-biased all-wheel drive system in the Audi S6 e-tron enhances the driving dynamics with a highly variable torque distribution. The different dimensions of the electric motors on the rear and front axles enable rear-biased torque distribution even under full load.

The interior of the new A6 e-tron is equally as impressive and showcases new technology designed to further enhance the driving and user experience for all occupants. From the ‘soft wrap’ dash layout that extends from door to door, right through to the control panels, lighting and even the air quality package, all are designed for ease of use and maximum user comfort. 

The viewing screens for the new virtual wing mirrors have been placed higher than before for a more intuitive user experience, more in line with where the eye would instinctively go for a traditional mirror, but with the obvious benefits of the virtual technology. The Audi MMI panoramic display features a curved design and OLED technology, and is made up of an 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit and a 14.5-inch MMI touch display, with an optional 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display with Active Privacy Mode so that it doesn’t distract the driver. Then there there is the augmented reality head-up display and the aforementioned panoramic glass roof.

The infotainment too is cutting-edge, with everything from an Android Automotive operating system that updates its contents via over-the-air updates, Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with headrest loudspeakers, to the enhanced voice control and self-learning voice assistant that carries out numerous vehicle functions.

In the future, the Audi assistant will also have access to additional online content, such as weather and general knowledge. Via a connection to ChatGPT customers can interact with their car using natural language and listen to the information they would like to know while driving.

Of course state-of-the-art driver assistance and safety systems are a given across the range, completing what is an impressive new addition to the brand’s all-electric vehicle lineup. Across the board the A6 e-tron represents a quantum shift in terms of design, range and charging technology. The introduction of Sportback and Avant body styles to the electric range providing customers with greater choice than ever before.

In Europe, the A6 e-tron model range will be available to order from September, with an Australian launch expected around the middle of 2025. The exact pricing and vehicle specification for the Australian market will be confirmed closer to its local introduction. With its sleek, groundbreaking design and leading-edge technology, range and performance, the A6 and S6 e-trons are set to have a tremendous impact when they arrive Down Under next year, adding yet another dimension to the all-electric offering.