Audi A6 e-tron: Electrical hatch, wagon with over 700km of vary coming to Australia

Look out, BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE – Audi is coming for you.

The Audi A6 e-tron has been revealed as a extra sensible and sure extra reasonably priced various to the model’s e-tron GT flagship, and might be supplied in each Sportback (liftback) and Avant (wagon) physique kinds.

Audi has additionally revealed sportier S6 variations of those.

The brand new electrical liftback and wagon have been locked in for an Australian launch, which is predicted throughout the first half of 2025.

“We’re at present in dialogue with the manufacturing facility to find out pricing and specification for these fashions, which might be confirmed nearer to the launch date,” mentioned an Audi Australia spokesperson.

Audi hasn’t particularly confirmed an RS6 model, however its remarks recommend one is coming.

Meaning the vary will high out for now with the S6, which might be obtainable at launch in Europe together with the A6 e-tron efficiency. Different variants will observe later.

Each mannequin encompasses a lithium-ion battery.

All-wheel drive fashions have an asynchronous motor on the entrance axle and a permanent-magnet synchronous motor on the rear axle.

The A6 e-tron relies on an 800-volt electrical structure, which permits for a most DC charging capability of 270kW. There’s 11kW AC charging capability as customary, with non-obligatory 22kW functionality to be supplied later.

If a charging station works with 400-volt expertise, Audi says the A6 e-tron can use financial institution charging. The 800-volt battery is cut up into two banks, every with a voltage of 400 volts, which might then be charged in parallel at as much as 135kW.

Audi additionally says the regenerative braking can recuperate as much as 220kW, and there’s two-stage recuperation which might be adjusted utilizing the paddle shifters.

It notes the selectable B drive mode “comes shut to what’s colloquially known as the ‘one-pedal feeling’”.

The A6 e-tron is the primary passenger automotive on the Premium Platform Electrical, which debuted within the Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan SUVs.

Adaptive air suspension is non-obligatory, which in effectivity mode can decrease the physique by 20mm relying on the pace to enhance aerodynamics. It’s customary on the S6.

Dimensions for the Sportback are as follows:

Audi claims a drag coefficient of 0.21 for the Sportback and 0.24 for the Avant. That makes the Sportback probably the most aerodynamic Audi ever, in addition to the extra aerodynamic member of the whole Volkswagen Group lineup.

The A6 Sportback e-tron was first revealed in idea type in 2021, with the A6 Avant e-tron following in 2022.

Audi designers say they’ve been in a position to retain 95 per cent of the ideas’ primary proportions, although varied particulars have modified.

“In the case of a production-oriented idea, we are able to initially ignore the purely technical necessities and prioritise proportions above all else as a result of they’re what’s most vital for an excellent design,” mentioned Sascha Heyde, who designed each the idea and manufacturing variations.

“Which means that designers are inclined to exaggerate a bit right here. The result’s that idea vehicles are inclined to have a considerably flatter, broader stance than can be attainable for the manufacturing fashions.”

Maybe the obvious visible change from the ideas is the lighting up entrance, with a split-level look resembling that of the Q6 e-tron.

Audi says the slim headlight design and vast grille make the car seem “flat and vast” on the street. Digital daytime operating lights are non-obligatory.

On the A6 e-tron, the principle headlights, air intakes, in addition to sensors for the driving force help programs are built-in right into a darkish masks across the grille. On the S6, there are chunky matte silver design parts.

19-inch alloy wheels are customary on the A6, with S line and S6 fashions getting 20-inch alloys. S6 fashions additionally get the choice of 21-inch alloy wheels.

For max aerodynamic effectivity, Audi may also supply a 21-inch ‘aero’ wheel with plastic covers.

Additionally non-obligatory are Audi’s newest era of digital digicam mirrors, which might fold electrically and are mentioned to enhance the drag coefficient… although Audi doesn’t say by how a lot.

Down again, there are second-generation digital OLED tail lights, which can be utilized to speak messages to different automobiles utilizing warning symbols.

The A6 e-tron additionally options an illuminated model of Audi’s brand on the tailgate.

Inside, there’s a 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a ten.9-inch passenger show and an augmented actuality head-up show.

The passenger show has an Energetic Privateness Mode, permitting a passenger to observe media with out distracting the driving force.

The infotainment system makes use of the Android Automotive working system and helps over-the-air updates, with varied third-party apps like YouTube downloadable by way of the Audi Software Retailer.

The Audi assistant, by way of connection to ChatGPT, will be capable of present extra info such because the solutions to questions on basic data and the climate along with having the ability to entry car capabilities.

Audi stresses ChatGPT by no means has entry to car knowledge, and all questions and solutions are deleted after processing.

Non-compulsory is a panoramic glass roof with polymer-dispersed liquid crystal expertise, permitting you to change it from opaque to clear and again with the push of a button. There are 4 completely different preset modes.

Additionally obtainable is a 20-speaker, 830W Bang & Olufsen sound system, with 4 of those audio system positioned within the entrance headrests.

There’s a spread of energetic security and driver help expertise, together with adaptive cruise management, site visitors signal recognition and semi-autonomous parking help, whereas there’s a brand new characteristic known as adaptive driving assistant plus.

This combines adaptive cruise and lane centring, whereas additionally utilizing high-resolution map knowledge and swarm knowledge from different automobiles to calculate the route forward and “allow a cushty driving expertise”.

Immediately’s combustion-powered A6 sedan and wagon are anticipated to maneuver to the A7 nameplate with their subsequent era.

Audi has confirmed it’s reshuffling its mannequin lineup in order that even-numbered automobiles have electrical energy and odd-numbered automobiles have combustion energy.

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