2025 Audi A6 e-tron Preview
In 2021, Audi debuted a concept car called the A6 e-tron, which previewed a family of all-electric models to come from the premium German brand. Now, a production A6 e-tron, available in Europe as both a sleek “Sportback” five-door hatchback and “Avant” wagon, has been announced. Built on the same set of cutting-edge component set as the brand-new Q6 e-tron SUV, the A6 has impressive performance, range, efficiency, and charging speeds.
Indeed, Audi says that the striking design of the A6 e-tron makes it the most aerodynamic Audi ever, contributing to a range estimate on the European testing cycle of 469 miles.
New Luxury EV Sedan from Audi
The A6 e-tron evolves Audi’s design language for the electric age. Like all Audis, it has slim LED lights with a distinctive signature, and a “single frame” outline, which wraps a dark mask around the car’s air intakes and advanced driver assistance sensors. Both the Sportback and Avant models have sleek, gently curving rooflines – which not only give them a futuristic look on the road but contribute to optimum efficiency.
In profile, powerful blisters around the wheels, which are a core element of Audi’s design DNA, emphasize the performance of these new models, and a black insert in the sills reduces the visual height of the vehicle, which rests on top of a large battery. The rear LED lights, like the fronts, are animated and drivers can even choose their preferred light signature. 19-inch wheels with a flat surface provide maximum range, with 20- or 21-inch wheels as options.
Audi A6 e-tron Range, Charging, and Performance
Two versions of the A6 e-tron are available. The “basic” rear-wheel drive model, simply called A6 e-tron, has an estimated range on the WLTP cycle of up to 469 miles, or 447 miles in Avant form. Power output is 362 hp, and Audi says it will dash from 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds, with a top speed of 130 mph.
If you’re looking for more performance, the S6 e-tron will be for you. Total power output rises to 543 hp in launch mode thanks to twin motors and all-wheel drive, with 62 mph arriving in just 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 150 mph. Range drops slightly, to 420 miles for the Sportback and 402 miles for the Avant on the European testing cycle. A “basic” A6 e-tron with quattro all-wheel drive will likely follow in the future.
Both the A6 and S6 e-tron models use the same battery, which has a capacity of 100 kWh, made up of 12 modules and 180 prismatic cells. Thanks to cutting-edge 800-volt technology, the maximum charging speed is 270 kW on an ultra-fast Level 3 DC charger; that means it can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in just over 20 minutes. On 400-volt chargers, the battery automatically splits itself into two banks, each of which can be charged in parallel up to 135 kW. The A6 and S6 e-tron also feature Plug & Charge, which automatically authorizes the vehicle and begins charging as soon as it’s plugged in on compatible networks – no having to fumble with an app or credit cards.
In everyday driving, Audi says that the sophisticated regenerative braking system can handle up to 95 percent of all braking tasks, making this one of the most efficient EVs out there. Regen happens on both the front and rear axles, with both axles contributing to charging the battery. Everyday home charging is also very fast and efficient, with the A6 and S6 capable of charging up to 11 kW on a Level 2 charger.
What Will the Audi A6 e-tron Be Like to Drive?
In addition to being fast and efficient, the A6 and S6 e-tron should be a pleasure to drive, as well. An optional adaptive air suspension offers a particularly broad range of abilities, with supreme comfort on the one end with sporty handling on the other. It can adapt to specific road conditions and can vary the ride height between four levels – including a very low ride height for the most efficient highway cruising.
With dual motors, the S6 e-tron will offer superior all-weather traction and grip. It retains a rear bias for sportier handling in most conditions, but the car can vary the torque and power distribution between the two motors depending on the driving conditions for optimal stability.
Advanced driver assistance systems provide functions that improve safety and convenience, as well. A new adaptive driving assistant can accelerate, brake, maintain a set speed or a set distance from the car in front, and can keep the car safely centered within its lane. Capable of operating at all speeds, it uses high-resolution map data as well as data from other vehicles aggregated in the cloud to help it work more smoothly and efficiently – making long trips more relaxing.
There is also a sophisticated parking assistant with reversing and 360-degree cameras, a traffic sign-based speed limiter, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and distraction and drowsiness warnings.
Luxurious, High-Tech Interior with Panoramic Display
Packed with tech, the A6 e-tron shares a lot of its all-new interior design with the recently-introduced Q6 e-tron SUV. The highlight of the interior is a panoramic display, which integrates an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a 14.5-inch infotainment screen. There’s also the option of an additional 10.9-inch front passenger display, which can be used to watch streaming video content; it’s not visible by the driver when the vehicle is on the move. Finally, an augmented-reality head-up display is available as an option, which projects speed, traffic signs, driver assists, and navigation directions onto the windshield.
Soft, flowing shapes contrasting with precise, sharply-defined control areas in high-gloss black define the interior. There’s also a “digital wrap” created by a dynamic “interaction light” at the base of the windshield, which can change color and animate in conjunction with various functions such as adjusting the temperature, an incoming phone call, and even warnings from the driver assistance systems.
Audi A6 and S6 e-tron: Availability and Pricing
Audi says that the all-new A6 and S6 e-tron will be available for order this September. U.S. pricing has yet to be announced, but we would expect the A6 to have a starting MSRP of around $80,000, and the S6 e-tron to have a starting MSRP of close to $100,000.
It’s unclear yet whether the Avant wagon versions will make their way to our shores, but the success of the high-performance Audi RS6 Avant suggests that there might be a small but enthusiastic market for the long-roofed version.
