Revealed in Sportback, which effectively replaces the former A6’s traditional sedan body style, and Avant guise, the Audi A6 e-tron is the second model in the brand with the four rings’ model line-up (following its SUV stablemate, the Q6 e-tron) underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture. “Newly developed” for the latter, the A6 e-tron’s 800 V battery-electric arrangement features a 100 kWh (gross; 94.9 kWh net) lithium-ion battery pack, which comprises 12 modules and 180 prismatic cells, and, depending on the model, one or two electric motors.
So, the latest Audi to don the ‘A6’ namesake is only available with all-electric propulsion? Indeed. It’s worth noting that the German marque has revised the denominations of its product portfolio, with models donning odd numbers and even numbers endowed with internal combustion engines and battery-electric set-ups, respectively. Of course, the ‘e-tron’ moniker is also present on the company’s electric vehicles.
At launch, a duo of powertrain configurations will be available for both the Sportback and Avant variants. The rear-mounted, single-electric motor set-up powering the A6 e-tron performance models produces 270 kW and 565 N.m of torque, allowing both the rear-wheel-driven Sportback and battery-electric estate to sprint to the three-figure marker from a standstill in a claimed 5.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 210 km/h.
According to the firm, the Sportback, which has a drag coefficient of only 0.21, can travel “over” 750 km on a single full charge, while the Avant, with its drag coefficient being slightly less aerodynamic at (a still impressive) 0.24, offers an electric range of “over” 720 km.
The current pinnacle powertrain, which is employed by the S6 e-tron Sportback and Avant, features a dual-electric motor arrangement, which, combined, produces 370 kW or, when activating launch control, 405 kW. These models have a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h.
However, with more power comes less range… Audi says a single full charge provides the (all-wheel-drive) S6 e-tron Sportback and Avant models with electric ranges of “over” 670 km and 640 km.
When will the new Audi A6 e-tron arrive in South Africa?
To answer this question, in short, mid-2025, according to the local arm of the Ingolstadt-based brand. However, more specifically, it is worth noting that Audi South Africa mentions the body style scheduled to be introduced to SA next year comes in the shape of Sportback. As such, whether we’ll receive the Avant derivative remains to be seen.