Audi has unveiled its latest electric model range, the Audi A6 e-tron, with a range upward of 700 km. What’s more is that we could see it here in Mzansi in the next 12 months.
Initially introduced as a concept back in 2021, the Audi A6 e-tron range is now set to debut in both Sportback and Avant versions, in two flavours: A6 (medium) and S6 (hot).
Audi has revealed that the A6 e-tron performance (270 kW) with rear-wheel drive and the S6 e-tron (370 kW) with quattro all-wheel drive, both as Sportback and Avant, will be available at launch.
Depending on the market, further models with rear-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive will follow at a later date, the carmaker mentioned.
How well does it cut through the air?
A standout feature of the Audi A6 e-tron is its exceptional aerodynamics, boasting a cd value of 0,21 for the Sportback and 0,24 for the Avant (AKA estate or wagon). The Sportback’s 0,21 makes it the most aerodynamic vehicle in the entire VW Group.
Aero is vital, because the more slippery a car is when moving through the air, the further it can go on a single charge (or a tank of fuel). The lower the cd value, the more favourable the car’s energy consumption.
The A6’s aerodynamic design, including air curtains, a controllable cool-air intake, and an optimised underbody, contribute to its impressive aero.
For perspective, the A6 e-tron Sportback’s cd value of 0,21 matches those of the Tesla Model S (facelift) and Hyundai IONIQ 6, but doesn’t equal the 0,20 cd figure of the Mercedes-Benz EQE and EQS.
How far can it go?
Audi describes the A6 e-tron’s electric motors as powerful, compact, and highly efficient. The new lithium-ion battery has a total gross capacity of 100 kWh (94.9 kWh net), ensuring a range of up to 756 km (A6 Sportback e-tron) and up to 720 km (A6 Avant e-tron).
For the sportier S6 Sportback e-tron Audi quotes a range of up to 675 km, while the S6 Avant e-tron manages 647 km, Audi claims.
These figures are close to double the range per full charge of Audi’s current range of all-electric cars. (Read how Audi has improved the new e-tron GT.)
How quick is it?
With a system output of up to 270 kW in the Audi A6 Sportback/Avant e-tron Performance, it can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 5,4 seconds, and on to a top speed of 210 km/h.
The S6 e-tron adds 100 kW, for a total system output of 370 kW (405 kW with launch control). This whittles the zero to 100 km/h sprint time of the S6 Sportback e-tron and the S6 Avant e-tron down to 3,9 seconds. The top speed is 240 km/h.
Hook me up
Equipped with 800V technology and a maximum DC charging capacity of 270 kW, the A6 e-tron offers rapid charging capabilities.
At appropriate charging stations, the vehicle can gain a range of up to 310 km in just 10 minutes. Do keep in mind that in South Africa the fastest charging stations are rated at 200 kW and they are hen’s teeth.
A bit less impressive than that 270 kW DC rating is that AC charging is only possible up to 11 kW. A 22 kW option will be offered later, Audi claims.
The A6 e-tron’s energy recuperation system can handle around 95 percent of everyday braking requirements, Audi estimates. This enhances efficiency and range while also reducing maintenance to the traditional ‘wheel brakes’.
Plenty of innovation
The A6 e-tron features improved Matrix LED headlights and sophisticated DLRs and rear lights with customisable light signatures.
Audi says the digital OLED rear lights can communicate with the vehicle’s surroundings. This means, for example, that the A6 e-tron’s rear lights can give warning signals to a driver behind it.
Furthermore, something called car-to-x communication can warn the A6 e-tron’s driver of speed humps or potholes ahead by using cloud data pooled by other cars with this function.
Smart glass
An optional innovative panoramic glass roof further enhances the A6 e-tron. Here, the panoramic roof’s smart glass minimises direct sunlight and becomes opaque at the touch of a button.
Audi says occupants can control this “digital curtain” via a button in the roof module. This is a significant improvement over what carmakers often equip EVs with: a massive pane missing a roller blind, or glass that is too transparant.
‘Hello, Audi’
According to its manufacturer, voice control in the A6 e-tron was “significantly expanded” and the Audi assistant can now control numerous vehicle functions. However, experience has shown that the ‘cognitive abilities’ of these assistants can be limited, leading to occasional swearing at said assistant.
With the A6 e-tron, the Audi assistant has access to additional online content, such as weather and general knowledge. Via a connection to ChatGPT, drivers and passengers can interact with their cars while driving.
AI on standby
The Audi assistant automatically recognises whether to perform a vehicle function, search for a destination, or, for example, provide the weather forecast. The system only forwards queries to ChatGPT when it cannot answer general knowledge questions, according to Audi.
Here Audi (and other carmakers who use artificial intelligence) tread a fine line between reducing carbon emissions andabetting the massive growth in electricity demand that AI queries cause worldwide…
Launch and availability
The Audi A6 e-tron Sportback is set for introduction to South Africa in mid-2025. We expect its retail price to be in the range of the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE sedan; see prices below. Note that the i5 M60 is a high-performance, all-wheel drive saloon with over double the EQE’s power.
- Mercedes-Benz EQE350+ sedan (215 kW):
R1 642 000 - BMW i5 M60 xDrive (442 kW):
R2 190 000 - Audi e-tron 55 quattro S Line (300 kW):
R2 045 000
The e-tron above is the SUV that Audi launched in 2019, a lifetime ago in EV years.
