Audi launches A6 e-tron and S6 e-tron

The new A6 e-tron family is built on Audi’s Premium Platform Electric.

Audi A6 e-tron front — *The Audi A6 e-tron is the automaker’s latest electric vehicle. – Audi AG photo*

Audi has launched a new midsize car, this one being the electric A6 e-tron and its sportier variant, the S6 e-tron.

For those not in the know, Audi plans to use even numbers for its EVs and odd numbers for its internal combustion engine models.

The current gas-powered A6 is remaining available for the time being.

So what is the A6 e-tron?

This newest model is the second vehicle on Audi’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture and the first one with a flat floor, Audi says.

Globally, Audi is launching the A6 e-tron family of vehicles in Sportback (hatchback) and Avant (station wagon) body styles, as well as with various power outputs and with rear-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive.

Which versions arrive in Canada is unclear, but based on information on the Audi Canada website, it looks like just the quattro models will be available here.

Audi S6 e-tron front — *The Audi S6 e-tron has 496 hp, plus more with launch control activated. – Audi AG photo*

Powertrain

Entry-level A6 e-tron cars have an output of 282 hp (322 hp with launch control) and accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in six seconds, Audi says.

A6 e-tron quattro models have an output of 422 hp (456 hp with launch control) and reportedly accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.

Rear-wheel-drive A6 e-tron performance models have an output of 362 hp (375 hp with launch control) and hit highway speed in 5.4 seconds.

The S6 e-tron has an output of 496 hp (543 hp with launch control) and reach highway speed in 3.9 seconds.

Audi A6 e-tron interior — *There are three displays at the front of the Audi A6 e-tron. – Audi AG photo*

Driving range

Rear-wheel-drive A6 models feature a battery capacity of 83 kWh (net 75.8 kWh), while the quattro models have a battery capacity of 100 kWh (net 94.9 kWh).

The cars use 800-volt technology, and Audi claims the A6 e-tron performance can be charged up to 310 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes with a 270-kW fast-charging station.

Audi says the A6 Sportback e-tron performance has a range of 756 kilometres on European estimates (720 on the Avant body style).

The entry-level A6 e-tron has a range of 627 kilometres for the Avant and 598 kilometres for the Avant.

The quattro models have an estimated range of 716 kilometres for the Sportback and 685 kilometres for the Avant.

Audi A6 e-tron from above — *The A6 e-tron Sportback models have a low stance. – Audi AG photo*

Exterior design

Audi says it went for a clean body design with a focus on dynamism, elegance and progressivity.

The A6 e-tron has a low ride height, muscular proportions and rides on wheels that measure from 19 inches for the entry-level model, 20-inch wheels on the S6 e-tron and optional 21-inch wheels.

The exterior is differentiated on the entry-level models, S line models and S models.

Audi also highlights the model is aerodynamic with a Cd value of 0.24 on the Avant body style and an even lower 0.21 on the Sportback models.

The car is nearly five metres long at 4,928 mm, and has a width of 1,923 mm (excluding mirrors) and a height of 1,527 mm on the Avant and 1,487 mm on the Sportback.

With adaptive air suspension, drivers can also enjoy a sporty ride or a comfort cruise, depending on their desire at the time.

Audi S6 e-tron panoramic glass roof — *A panoramic glass roof is available on the A6 e-tron vehicles. – Audi AG photo*

The car is also loaded with a variety of comfort and safety technology.

A panoramic display features a curved design and OLED technology. There’s an 11.9-inch driver display, 14.5-inch infotainment touch display and a 10.9-inch passenger display.

The passenger display has a privacy mode so they can watch movies or shows without distracting the driver.

For more information, including Canadian market details, when it becomes available, visit the Audi Canada website.