Audi A6 e-tron Sportback und Avant: Revolutionäre Reichweite trifft auf enttäuschendes Interieur

Audi's A6 e-tron Sportback and Avant: Full Details and Initial Seating Test

Impressive range, PPE platform benefits, exceptional drag coefficient, disappointing interior

The enthusiasts of Audi (as they like to call themselves) certainly don't hold back in their praise for the new A6 e-tron, with claims such as "a fresh take on the mid-size class," "the first purely electric version available as a Sportback and Avant," and "Its exceptional range of well over 700 kilometers and superior driving dynamics will excite E-Mobility enthusiasts." These words of acclaim, by the way, come straight from the top, with Gernot Döllner himself making the statement.

The atmosphere among those involved is also positive when they welcomed journalists a few weeks ago for an advance photo and information session about the new electric savior. Despite the ongoing slump in the electric market, what else is there to say? It would be quite odd to be downcast, especially when, after what feels like years of stagnation, there are finally new models to present.

Photo Showcase: The 2024 Audi S6 Sportback e-tron

Just a few weeks ago, we had the chance to test drive the newly launched Q6 e-tron, which, after numerous delays, is the first Audi to utilize the cutting-edge PPE (Premium Platform Electric). Shortly thereafter, amidst significant public attention, the successor to the A4, the new A5 along with the A5 Avant, was unveiled. Now, Audi is introducing us to the second model built on the PPE platform with the A6 e-tron, available as both a Sportback and Avant. For a detailed analysis of the new A6 e-tron Sportback and A6 e-tron Avant, you can visit our sister site InsideEVs.de. This piece, however, will focus on a first-hand impression regarding the appearance, interior design, craftsmanship, and potential market success of the vehicle.

Exterior

The headline is easily coined: Audi aims to set new benchmarks in design and range. We had the chance to take a close look and see if their aspirations could indeed become a reality. The model they put forward as the standard to beat is the highly acclaimed 2021 Audi A6 e-tron concept. According to the officials, the production model has stayed true to the visual essence of the concept car. Let's briefly compare the study and the production vehicle side by side.

The 2021 Audi A6 e-tron is a conceptual design.

Upcoming 2024 Audi A6 Sportback e-tron

And here are the rear views of the Avant models:

Upcoming Audi A6 Avant e-tron Prototype (2022)

Upcoming 2024 Audi A6 Avant e-tron

In this instance, it seems appropriate to say: give credit where credit is due. The studies certainly were impressive, and the production models are not far off in terms of design. Both the Sportback and the Avant measure 4.93 meters in length, which is virtually the same as the current A6 with an internal combustion engine that's due to be rebranded as the A7 next year. They are 1.92 meters wide, with a wheelbase of 2,946 millimeters. The estate version stands 40 millimeters taller than the Sportback.

The design team takes particular pride in the vehicle's drag coefficient. With a hatchback rating of 0.21, it sets a record for both its class and for Audi. The station wagon version boasts an impressive 0.24. Aerodynamically optimized wheels are available in sizes ranging from the standard 19 inches, to 20 inches as standard on the S6 e-tron models, up to 21 inches.

The latest A5 model introduces a design element that is bound to spark conversations: flush door handles with an indented grip area underneath. More convenient, however, are the charging ports located on both sides of the vehicle. As with the original e-tron, customers can opt for the divisive digital side mirrors, which are now in their second iteration. These mirrors can be folded in, and their interior screens have been repositioned higher for better visibility.

Lighting continues to be a significant focus for Audi. For those willing to invest, the A6 e-tron offers a new feature: illuminated rings at the rear. It also boasts digital daytime running lights using LED technology and second-generation digital OLED rear lights. These rear lights create a dynamic light pattern while the car is in motion. Admittedly, this feature may not be exceptionally practical, but it certainly looks impressive.

Audi emphasizes that the rear light strip is increasingly becoming a display due to its 45 segments per OLED panel. This is expected to enable Car-to-X communication, thereby enhancing safety by, for instance, alerting other road users to accidents or breakdowns through the tail light.

The front and rear now feature eight distinct lighting patterns, and amidst all the sleekness of this feature, we have to wonder if anyone genuinely exclaims, "Wow, I'm in such a great mood today, I'm going to select lighting pattern number 5!"

Interior

Familiarity with the new Q6 e-tron's dashboard gives a good indication of the upcoming A6 e-tron and A6 e-tron Avant's interior design. This comes with both pros and cons.

One definite advantage is the design which features the latest sloping panoramic display consisting of an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and a 14.5-inch infotainment screen. Additionally, there's a new 10.9-inch passenger display and a second-generation augmented reality head-up display that is 30 percent bigger than the one in the Q4 e-tron. The operating system in use is Android Automotive OS.

Additionally, towards the front windshield, there's a fresh "interaction light" stretching across the dashboard, which serves to display the car's charging progress, among other things.

Everything might seem promising, but there's a significant downside that was also apparent with the Q6 e-tron. Audi itself mentions in its press release that the materials were chosen for their functionality, which is a concerning statement. In reality, the interior of the car largely features a disappointingly plain combination of materials that is baffling, considering the car's market placement and the high expectations for it.

In my view, we're discussing a model that will likely not be available for less than 70,000 euros. Moreover, especially in this category, it has to win over doubtful premium frequent drivers to the concept of electric vehicles. At least from this angle, it seems like it might be a challenging task.

The majority of individuals are aware that hefty price tags come attached to large batteries, however, consumers are unlikely to accept compromised interior material quality, especially when it comes to high-end, luxury vehicles. This is a trend that can also be seen with the Mercedes EQS.

Aside from the rather basic design of the surfaces, the A6 e-tron's interior seems quite sensible. The rear seating area is incredibly spacious, and the cargo capacity ranges from 502 to 1,330 liters for the Sportback version, while the Avant offers an additional 90 liters. Audi has rated the towing capacity at 2.1 tons.

Additional standout features include a significantly enhanced voice control system capable of integrating with ChatGPT, and a new panoramic glass roof with adjustable transparency. Additionally, the vehicle boasts a Bang & Olufsen sound system equipped with headrest speakers, providing an individual surround sound experience as well as private navigation directions and phone call capability.

Powertrain and Battery

Initially, there will be two powertrain options available. The A6 e-tron performance variants will feature a permanently excited synchronous motor at the rear axle, rear-wheel drive, and an output of 270 kW (367 horsepower). They will be able to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h.

The current premier model is the S6 e-tron, which features an extra asynchronous motor at the front. This version boasts a combined power output of 370 kW, equivalent to 503 horsepower, which increases to 551 horsepower when using Launch Control. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 240 km/h.

Photo Gallery: 2024 Audi S6 Avant e-tron

Each model is equipped with a 94.9 kWh lithium-ion battery for energy storage. Audi claims the A6 e-tron Sportback can travel more than 750 kilometers on a single charge, while the Avant is said to exceed 720 kilometers. The S6 variant is expected to reach a range of 670 kilometers.

Energy is recovered at a rate of up to 220 kW. The highest charging capacity is 270 kW. Audi guarantees that at the right charging stations, a charge from 10 to 80 percent can be achieved in 21 minutes, and in just ten minutes, one can charge the battery enough for a 310 kilometer range.

By the year 2025, an entry-level model featuring rear-wheel drive and a smaller 83-kWh battery will be introduced, along with an A6 e-tron model equipped with all-wheel drive. Additionally, an RS 6 e-tron has been confirmed for release.

Opting for a Traditional Gasoline Engine Instead?

Launch and Pricing

Orders for the new e-trons will open in September with the official launch set to take place within the year. Deliveries will commence from December 2024. The company from Ingolstadt has not yet commented on the pricing. For context, the SUV sibling Q6 e-tron is priced from €68,800, and the SQ6 e-tron from €93,800.

Photo Gallery: Audi A6 Sportback e-tron (2024)

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