Audi A6 e-tron: The Future of Electric Luxury Sedans

The imminent electric derivatives of the Audi A6 are here. Set to be introduced in a Sportback avatar, the duo will radiate enough on the skin and under to fervour Audi purists and motoring enthusiasts alike.

Warping the same platform as the recently unveiled Q6 e-tron SUV, the A6 e-tron caters to those who prefer exhilarating performance without the hassle of navigating cambers, delivering a grin-inducing thrust the moment the pedal is pressed.

Exterior

Certain characteristic design embellishments make their way onto the A6 e-tron’s exterior, such as:

• Slim and swept-back headlamps
• Hexagonal grille with trapezoidal appliques, emulating a clean look
• Gloss-black accents adorning the front fascia
• Aerodynamic hunkered frunk for stowing small packages
• Optional matte-finish around the side air intakes on the S6 e-tron

The side profile features chunky wheels and slim door handles, enhancing the car's slippery appearance. Notably, a camera projection replaces conventional side-view mirrors, though this is expected to be region-specific.

The rear showcases Audi's departure from the sedan body style, adopting a coupe-roofline syntax. Following the trend of many automakers, the A6 e-tron includes an OLED light strip with red inserts, and even the Audi emblem is highlighted with red light, combining to present an understated elegance.

Interior

For those familiar with the Q6 e-tron’s interior, there’s limited scope for a distinct identity. However, it exudes sophistication with:

• A tautly finished layout
• A combination of premium materials
• Up to three infotainment screens atop the dash (if all options are selected)

The infotainment system features a 14.5” display, offering a vast menu for entertainment.

Audi was among the first luxury automakers to introduce digital instrument clusters, with the current resolution for the instrument cluster display standing at 11.9 inches, providing crucial driving information for the driver.

The co-driver is also considered, with an optional third 14.5” infotainment system available for gaming and video streaming. Additionally, the panoramic sunroof can switch between transparent and opaque layouts and change hues to match your mood.

Mechanics

Under the floor, a 94.4-kWh battery is stacked, compatible with multiple charging options. Its 800-volt electrical infrastructure supports 270 kW charging speeds via a DC fast charger, enabling the battery to charge from 0% to 80% in approximately 21 minutes. The standard charging option consists of an 11 kW power supply through an AC connection.

Like many electric sleeper sedans and sportbacks, the A6 e-tron offers a range of variants with different acceleration times. The base single-motor version can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, while the dual-motor all-wheel drive version improves this time by 0.9 seconds. For those seeking extreme performance, the S6 e-tron can achieve 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds.

Summary

The Audi A6 e-tron strikes a perfect balance by offering comfort, practicality, a luxurious interior, advanced technology, and impressive acceleration figures. With the gasoline A6 on its final journey, the A6 e-tron is set to be the sole representative of the range. Does it possess enough qualities to fill the void and compete against its ICE and EV contenders? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.