- Details announced of Audi’s new electric hatchback and estate
- Available from 2 September
- Battery range of up to 470 miles
- Prices to be confirmed
Audi has given its A6 range a full overhaul, taking on the BMW i5 with an all electric line-up and an impressive battery range of up to 470 miles.
The Audi A6 e-tron goes on sale in the UK from 2 September, and while full details have yet to be announced, what we do know sounds very tempting if you’re in the market for a BMW i5, a Tesla Model S or a Mercedes-Benz EQE.
Available in Sportback hatchback or Avant estate form, the A6 e-tron will come with rear-wheel drive and Quattro all-wheel drive, and a powerful S6 e-tron version has been announced, too. The old A6 Saloon is no more – the hatchback version was deemed more aerodynamic and more practical, too.
The A6 e-tron features a more streamlined design compared to previous A6 models, following the styling cues set by the Q6 e-tron SUV, with a focus on maximum aerodynamic efficiency. This new design makes it the most aerodynamic Audi ever produced.
Audi, by the way, has a new naming convention for its cars – even-numbered models like the A6 e-tron are fully electric, while odd-numbered models such as the recently announced A5 range will continue to use internal combustion engines.
The A6 e-tron Sportback promises a range of up to 470 miles on a single charge, Audi says, while the slightly-less-aero Avant model offers up to 447 miles. The performance S6 Sportback and S6 Avant e-tron models have slightly lower ranges, with the Sportback achieving up to 420 miles and the Avant up to 402 miles per charge.
Speaking of performance, the A6 Sportback e-tron delivers 367PS from its electric motor to the rear wheels, giving it a 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds, with similar performance for the Avant model.
The more powerful S6 e-tron models (below) come with all-wheel drive and a power output of 503PS, which can be boosted to 550PS when using launch control, resulting in a 0-62mph time of just 3.9 seconds.
All A6 e-tron models support charging speeds up to 270kW, allowing for an added range of up to 192 miles with just 10 minutes of charging when using a suitable charger.
Prices if you want to buy an Audi A6 e-tron outright haven’t yet been announced – we’ll hear more on those and on full UK specs when the order books open. An educated guess, however, suggests that the first cars on sale will start at around £68,000 for the Sportback and around £70,000 for the Avant.
A more affordable version with a smaller battery will follow later, probably at around £62,000, and there’s a hardcore RS 6 e-tron model planned, too.
Looks-wise, the exterior of the A6 e-tron features a sleek hatchback design for the Sportback and a larger boot for the Avant estate. The front enjoys slim daytime running lights and almost hidden headlights within the bumper, along with a large grille housing various technical sensors. The car’s wide and relatively low stance is accentuated by large wheels, with the smallest option being 19 inches.
The design also includes flush door handles for improved aerodynamics and dual charging ports – one on one side for regular AC charging and one on the other for DC fast-charging up to 270kW. At the back, there are full-width LED taillights and an illuminated Audi badge.
Inside, the A6 e-tron features a large curved infotainment panel integrating a 14.5-inch touchscreen system and an 11.9-inch digital driver display.
Some models will also have a third 10.9-inch display on the passenger side for various infotainment functions, including games. (Wisely, Audi's Active Privacy Mode allows passengers to view the screen without distracting the driver.) Optional features include digital door mirrors with external cameras connected to interior screens and an augmented reality head-up display projecting navigation information onto the windscreen.
Keep your eyes out for more details on trim levels and exact costs next month.
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