2025 Audi A6 e-tron EV: Sportback and Avant, RWD/S6 AWD, as much as 551 PS, 756 km vary, 270 kW DC charging

August 1, 2024

18

The rebranding of Audi’s lineup continues – simply a few weeks on from the reveal of the combustion-engined, A4-replacing A5, Ingolstadt has now pulled the wraps off the all-electric A6 e-tron, persevering with its new odd-number ICE/even-number EV naming technique. Previewed by a idea mannequin again in 2021, the corporate’s second mannequin based mostly on the Premium Platform Electrical (PPE) has made the bounce to manufacturing just about intact.

First, the physique types. Just like the A5, the A6 e-tron is on the market in sedan and Avant (the latter being Audi’s first electrical wagon) variations, however whereas the A5 sedan is actually simply known as that, the A6 receives the Sportback moniker often reserved for its five-door coupés. That is regardless of each that includes 5 doorways and, satirically, the earlier A5 getting the Sportback tag.

Breaking additional norms is the truth that, just like the This autumn e-tron, the A6 e-tron is obtainable in single-motor rear-wheel-drive type. Even the efficiency mannequin obtainable at launch sends all 367 PS (270 kW) to the again, getting it from zero to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds on its option to a prime pace of 210 km/h.

Need quattro all-wheel drive? You’ll need to spring for the rear-biased dual-motor S6 e-tron, which produces 503 PS (370 kW). That is boosted to 551 PS (405 kW) with launch management engaged, firing the automobile to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and increasing the highest pace to 240 km/h.

All launch fashions include a brand new PPE-specific 100 kWh battery with 180 prismatic cells which, mixed with the in depth effectivity and aerodynamic optimisation measures (we’ll come to these later), delivers an astonishing WLTP vary of as much as 756 km for the A6 Sportback e-tron and 720 km for the Avant. The S6 variations, in the meantime, obtain 675 km and 647 km respectively, that are nonetheless mighty spectacular figures.

Charging efficiency can also be fairly good, because of the A6 e-tron being fitted with an 800-volt electrical structure. This allows the automobile to help as much as 270 kW of DC quick charging energy, bringing the battery from 10 to 80% cost in 21 minutes and supplying the Sportback e-tron efficiency with sufficient vitality to journey a further 310 km in simply 10 minutes.

The A6 e-tron additionally helps financial institution charging at 400-volt DC chargers, permitting as much as 135 kW by splitting the battery into two 400-volt banks and charging them in parallel. Nonetheless, the automobile will solely settle for as much as 11 kW of AC charging from launch, with a 22 kW possibility coming later.

Quite a few options have helped the A6 e-tron obtain its segment-leading vary figures, similar to a high-performance battery cooling system, oil-spray motor stator cooling and upgraded regenerative braking. The final one recuperates as much as 220 kW of kinetic vitality beneath deceleration and is adequate for round 95% of day by day braking wants.

4 modes are selectable by way of the steering wheel paddles, from completely off (for coasting) to a full-on B mode that permits one-pedal driving. A revised brake-by-wire system additionally permits regenerative and friction braking to be blended for the primary time.

Vital consideration has additionally been paid to the aerodynamics – regardless of the relatively plump appears, the A6 e-tron what’s claimed to be the slipperiest automobile ever. Options embrace an energetic grille shutter beneath the Singleframe entrance graphic, air curtains within the entrance bumper corners, an virtually fully sealed underfloor and a practical rear diffuser, altogether leading to a drag coefficient of simply 0.21 for the Sportback.

The Avant isn’t far behind, with optimisations that even embrace utilizing completely different entrance wheel deflectors and including a spoiler to the rear diffuser. These measures, along with the tailgate and facet spoilers, smoothen out the airflow leaving the rear of the automobile and assist obtain a drag coefficient of 0.24.

Patrons can select from 19- and 20-inch aero-optimised alloy wheels and possibility additional streamlining gear, together with the side-view cameras from the Q8 e-tron (which might now be folded to stop injury from passing vehicles when parked) and adaptive air suspension. The latter comes with an effectivity mode that drops the trip peak by as much as 20 mm relying on the pace.

The A6 e-tron’s design emphasises the automobile’s electrical drivetrain with out alienating conservative consumers. The entrance finish options break up headlights which can be all the fad nowadays, combining with the largely blacked-out bumper and body-coloured Singleframe grille to type what Audi calls the “inverted” entrance masks.

Shifting rearwards, the swooping glasshouse and flush-mounted door handles enhance the aerodynamics nonetheless additional, whereas the sturdy haunches emphasise the all-paw traction of the quattro system (satirically solely on the S6 e-tron). The black rocker panels are mentioned to focus on the battery pack and visually lengthen the automobile. The Avant provides fast-rake D-pillars and a window strip that runs from the A-pillars to the rear spoiler.

On the again, you’ll discover full-width taillights that may be optioned with an illuminated Audi four-ring badge for the primary time. In actual fact, lighting is a selected space through which Audi has fussed with – the automobile will be specced with matrix LED headlights, and you’ll customise the lighting signatures of the multi-segment daytime working lights in live performance with the OLED taillights. The latter can be used to warn different street customers of accidents and breakdowns and sign them to again off in the event that they’re driving too intently behind.

Identical to its platform mate, the Q6 e-tron, the inside of the A6 e-tron is festooned with tech. You’ll discover at least 5 screens in right here, together with the curved MMI panoramic show that comes with the 11.9-inch Audi digital cockpit instrument show and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen.

Allied to it is a second 10.9-inch touchscreen for the passenger and the shows for the elective side-view cameras, now moved as much as be nearer to the driving force’s line of sight. An augmented actuality head-up show can be discovered within the choices checklist.

The shows all run on the Android Automotive OS, however utilizing Audi’s personal companies – together with built-in navigation with an enhanced e-tron route planner – and app retailer. Just like the A5 (and the Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf), the A6 e-tron contains a voice management system with built-in ChatGPT AI, offering solutions to basic data questions. The entire system will be up to date over the air and, in a (worrying) rising development throughout the business, permits sure features to be enabled by way of subscription.

The remainder of the cabin has been designed to be as inviting and homely as potential, with a wraparound dashboard and door card design that comes with a number of cloth trim. Choices embrace four-zone air-conditioning, an air perfume package deal, a Porsche Taycan-style electrochromic panoramic glass roof and a 20-speaker, 830-watt Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with headrest audio system.

As is a prerequisite in 2024, the A6 e-tron comes with a smorgasbord of driver assists as commonplace, together with adaptive cruise management, lane departure warning, site visitors signal recognition, a driver consideration monitor and park help plus. A brand new characteristic is the adaptive driving assistant plus, with offers semi-autonomous driving with lane centring help – relying on the area, the system can use high-resolution maps and vehicle-to-X communication to enhance its personal driving behaviour.

The A6 and S6 e-tron will go on sale in Europe from September, with costs ranging from €75,600 (RM373,000) for the A6 Sportback e-tron and rising as much as €101,150 (RM499,000) for the S6 Avant e-tron. Extra rear- and all-wheel-drive variants will comply with, together with an entry-level mannequin with a smaller battery.