Electrifying Evolution: Audi A6 Sportback E-Tron Charges Ahead on Volkswagen Group’s New Premium Platform Electric

The electric vehicle landscape sees a new development with the Audi A6 and S6 Sportback E-Tron models. These models, alongside the Porsche Macan EV and Audi Q6 E-Tron SUVs, are the pioneers in adopting Volkswagen Group's freshly unveiled Premium Platform Electric (PPE).

The latest foundational elements enhance the vehicle's distance capabilities, ensure improved handling, maximize cabin room, and bring in an innovative digital dashboard.

After test-driving the Q6 E-Tron SUV earlier in the season and attending a press showcase for the A6 Sportback E-Tron in Munich, Germany, in mid-July, Green Car Reports is convinced that Audi's PPE platform sets the stage for the brand to dominate the electric vehicle market.

In terms of timing, Audi took the initial leap. With the introduction of the E-Tron in 2018, Audi marked its entry into the electric segment in North America. This model, alongside the pricier Tesla Model X and the now-defunct Jaguar I-Pace, was among the pioneering electric SUVs available. Audi opted for a cautious approach, ensuring the E-Tron bore a strong resemblance to its gas-powered counterpart, the Q8. This strategy paid off, as evidenced by the E-Tron receiving the Green Car Reports Best Car To Buy award in 2020.

Upcoming Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback Model

Upcoming Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback Model

In half a decade, there's been a significant transformation, evidenced by the latest 2024 Q8 E-Tron. This Q8 exemplifies the evolution that a solitary electric vehicle can undergo, whereas the A6 and its counterpart, the Q6, demonstrate the extensive potential of a specialized platform. This foundation is utilized not only for numerous models but also across the vast array of brands under the VW AG umbrella.

The adaptable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with a potent 800-volt electrical system is set to be the foundation for at least 10 upcoming global electric vehicle releases over the coming years.

Gernot Döllner

Gernot Döllner

Audi's CEO Gernot Döllner announced at a press conference in Munich that the company's lineup will eventually consist entirely of electric vehicles. He acknowledged that there's considerable discussion in Europe regarding the pace of this transition. However, the company plans to remain adaptable over the coming decade.

By the year 2027, Audi aims to introduce a battery-powered electric vehicle in each of its main segments. Furthermore, within the next two years, the company intends to refresh its range of vehicles with internal combustion engines. Despite the trend of car manufacturers like Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and even Porsche, which is part of the same corporate family, scaling back on their ambitions for a fully electric vehicle lineup, Audi maintains its projection to achieve this goal by 2033. The upcoming A6 and S6 hatchbacks from Audi are set to compete with current vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz EQE, BMW i5, and Tesla Model S.

Latest Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback Model

The Upcoming Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback Model

Currently, the latest A6 E-Tron showcases Audi's fresh approach to model labels, signifying that models with even numbers will be electric, while those with odd numbers will feature traditional combustion engines. This is part of the introduction of a new Premium Platform Combustion, which will be introduced with the Audi A5 in 2025.

Döllner emphasized the necessity of these vehicles as a transitional step towards a fully electric future.

Currently, Audi continues to cling to the cumbersome E-Tron label for its electric vehicles.

Upcoming Audi A6 E-Tron Coupe

Upcoming Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback Model

The 2025 A6 E-Tron leads the charge for Audi's electric four-door models, aside from the updated $130,000 E-Tron GT also arriving in 2025. This electric A6 captures the subtle elegance synonymous with Audi's design legacy.

The front covering descends sleekly, flanked by narrow daytime lights adorned with a multi-dimensional pattern. The vehicle features a distinctive lighting design that can be altered, topping a robust grid embellished with decorative switches, in line with Audi's "inverted grille" concept. This design showcases a lower grid that remains predominantly closed, with the exception of spaces for radar equipment. The corners, crafted from plastic and featuring recessed sections, support the LED headlights, creating a dark "raccoon eye" effect. The base is finished with a protruding edge. According to Audi, the grid is engineered to enhance air flow and reduce resistance, contributing to the A6 Sportback E-Tron's status as the most streamlined model within the VW Group, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.21.

A Fresh Audi A6 E-Tron Coupe

Latest Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback Model

The optional lighting package could catch your eye due to its distinct feature. The brand's emblem lights up in red at the back and in white at the front. A simple swipe of your hand over the front emblem triggers the front trunk to open, revealing a space ample enough for a full backpack or the charging cable for the 9.6-kilowatt onboard charger. At the back, a projected arrow on the floor indicates where to gesture with your foot to automatically open the back hatch without using your hands.

Approach the vehicle and it lights up gently, reminiscent of an obedient dog eager to greet you, avoiding the overwhelming display of lights some other car brands opt for, which can feel like an overexcited dog overwhelming you with attention. At the rear, you'll find ten OLED panels and a light strip extending across the elevated hatch and built-in spoiler. This area also allows for eight different customizable lighting designs, similar to the front. Depending on the region, the rear lights have the capability to project a warning triangle to signal upcoming hazards, or even create various images in sync with the data processed by the five internal computers that facilitate Audi's electronic infrastructure.

Freshly Unveiled Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback Model

Upcoming Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback Model

A lot has been promised, including car-to-X communications and advanced matrix LED headlights, which, for the time being, won't be accessible in North America. However, this advancement in utilizing taillights as a means to signal to fellow drivers may prove to be more impactful than when the third brake light became compulsory in the U.S. back in 1986.

Overcoming the challenge of ensuring different car manufacturers and vehicles communicate using a uniform language is an independent obstacle.

Upcoming Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback Model

Freshly Unveiled Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback Model

The ability to personalize the lighting signatures is limited by U.S. rules, permitting alterations only while stationary. The requirement for bulkier side mirrors imposed by U.S. regulatory bodies, as opposed to the sleek camera-based mirrors found elsewhere, increases the drag coefficient from 0.21 to 0.22 in the North American region.

Another feature not making its way to the US is the stunning Avant wagon version, which boasts a robust build with perfectly sculpted curves, won't be available in the North American market.

The A6 features a compact front and rear projection with thin spaces around the wheels, which are 19 inches by default, while the S6 comes standard with 20-inch wheels, with the option to upgrade to 21 inches. Its sleek roof curve and elevated rear shoulders give it the elegance of a high-end touring car, complemented by a pronounced sportback end. A distinctive black E-Tron strip divides the side skirts, indicating the substantial, almost 6-inch base that contains the 100-kWh battery pack, of which 94.9 kWh is available for use.

Jointly created by Porsche/Audi, the PPE platform is designed for use across the VW

A protective equipment platform created for the Volkswagen Group, crafted by Porsche and Audi.

Specifications of the Audi A6 Sportback E-Tron and the PPE Platform

The A6 E-Tron boasts a sleek Sportback design and shares many of its underlying components with the Q6 E-Tron SUV, which represented a significant advancement in Audi's electric vehicle lineup.

Upon its release in the local market around the spring or summer of next year, designated as the 2025 model (though it's likely to be updated to the 2026 version), it will be available in the three versions listed previously.

The latest Audi S6 E-Tron Coupe Model

The latest model from Audi, the S6 E-Tron Sportback

The battery pack, positioned low within the vehicle, is comprised of a dozen modules, each containing 15 prism-shaped cells crafted from lithium-ion materials with a high concentration of nickel, cobalt, and manganese. The A6 E-Tron is powered primarily by a 280-kilowatt permanent magnet synchronous motor situated at the rear. Additionally, a 140-kilowatt induction motor mounted on the front axle aids in initial acceleration and supports during periods of high power needs. This front motor is designed to rotate without resistance during cruising to optimize energy efficiency.

The latest engine models are lighter and take up approximately 30% less room for assembly compared to the motors found in the Q4 and Q8. They operate with greater efficiency and have roughly 50% reduced friction losses in comparison to the previous generation of Audi engines. Specific details such as the vehicle's weight, estimated driving range, power output, and additional technical specifications for the A6 have yet to be determined.

Audi has equipped the S6 model with an adjustable air suspension system. According to Audi, the vehicle will feature tires of varying sizes between the front and rear, with the rear tires being broader. The example S6 vehicles are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sports tires, with dimensions of 245/40R21 at the front and 275/35R21 at the rear. It's unclear whether this tire configuration will be available in the U.S. market.

Upcoming Audi S6 E-Tron Coupe Model

Upcoming Audi S6 E-Tron Sportback Model

Audi's A6 Sportback E-Tron's braking capabilities

According to Audi, the A6 E-Tron's dual motors are capable of managing 95% of the car's braking needs on a typical day, with the ability to reclaim energy up to 220 kilowatts. The Q6 model can recover energy equivalent to 0.25 g during deceleration, although Audi has yet to confirm this specification for the A6. Drivers can alter the intensity of the regenerative braking using the paddle shifters, ranging from a gentle coast to a more assertive slowdown, or they can opt for one-pedal driving by selecting the "B" mode on the gear selector in the console. Additionally, an automatic setting adjusts the regenerative braking strength based on the vehicle's camera system's assessment of the road conditions and traffic ahead.

Audi refrained from discussing the distance its vehicle could travel on a single charge, particularly for the U.S. market. However, for the European version, they aimed for a distance of 750 kilometers, equivalent to 466 miles, measured by the optimistic WLTP standard. It's possible that the A6 E-Tron with rear-wheel drive could achieve a 375-mile range according to the EPA's evaluations.

Upcoming Audi S6 E-Tron Sportback Model

Latest Audi S6 E-Tron Sportback Model

Charging the A6 Sportback E-Tron

Audi's PPE platform is designed to handle a high-power 800-volt charging infrastructure, enabling it to support direct current rapid charging up to 270 kilowatts – assuming you have access to a charging station that offers such high speeds. Audi predicts that the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 21 minutes at this pace, with the initial 10 minutes potentially restoring approximately 135 miles of driving distance. That's a quick recharge.

Vehicle owners have the convenience of utilizing the Plug & Charge feature at Electrify America locations, which seamlessly links to their account without the necessity of card swiping. When charging at an EA station with a 135 kw capacity, the advanced 800-volt charging mechanism effectively divides into two 400-volt circuits, allowing for concurrent charging that completes in roughly 35 minutes. For home charging, the A6 E-Tron comes equipped with a 9.6-kw onboard charger that, when connected to a 50-amp 240-volt AC home circuit, can fully recharge the battery in an estimated 10 hours.

Upcoming Audi A6 E-Tron Coupe Model

Latest Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback Model

The interior of the Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback and its digital dashboard

Audi's latest A6 E-Tron model maintains roughly the same length as the previous combustion engine version, but it has gained at least an inch in height and width. Sitting in the back seat, I found plenty of space and could comfortably fit, having a generous amount of space above my head, which is significant given my height of 5 feet 8 inches.

A sweeping sunroof featuring six levels of transparency broadens the interior, while the showcased demo vehicles displayed Audi's premium stitched leather.

Latest Sportback Version of Audi A6 E-Tron Revealed

Upcoming Audi A6 E-Tron Coupe

The A6 E-Tron incorporates the company's latest "Digital Stage" technology, which is also featured in upcoming models like the Q6 E-Tron and the redesigned Audi A5 sedan. This technology showcases a sweeping panoramic screen that begins with an 11.9-inch digital dashboard, offering crystal-clear display of the car's statistics and readings from external sensors. It includes a unique notification area with a pattern of colorful dots and lines that signify the responses from the voice assistant. The similar setup in the Q6 delivered impressive sound quality and, with the assistance of artificial intelligence, it has the capacity to interpret over 800 commands related to the vehicle and a range of general queries.

The incorporation of voice controls diminishes the reliance on the 14.5-inch touchscreen display, which builds upon Audi's impressive visual technology. The interface allows users to effortlessly move and organize apps, alter the order of information, and tailor the layout of the tiles. Adjacent to it is a 10.9-inch screen for the passenger, which offers the convenience of private entertainment or route assistance; the passenger can even modify navigation settings from their own display. An optional highlight is the 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system with headrest speakers. This system establishes distinct audio zones, enabling the driver to hear navigation prompts without interfering with the passenger's entertainment experience.

The cost details and complete specifications for the U.S. market will be disclosed nearing the end of spring. However, the A6 Sportback E-Tron Quattro is priced at 75,600 euros, roughly equivalent to $82,000, in Germany, while the higher-tier S6 is listed at 99,500 euros, approximately $108,000. Time will tell the final figures.

Green Car Reports received coverage for accommodation and flights from Audi to deliver this direct account.

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