We had an opportunity to check drive the Audi A6 e-tron, the German automaker’s second next-gen electrical car based mostly on its new PPE platform, in Tenerife, Spain, just a few weeks in the past.
It delivers energy, luxurious, and a powerful vary in a smooth design.
Disclaimer: Audi paid for my flights and lodging to go take a look at out the A6 in Spain.
Exterior of the e-tron GT, Audi has centered on SUVs relating to releasing new electrical automobiles: the unique e-tron, This fall, and Q8.
Nevertheless, the German automaker has ambitions to impress its total lineup, and issues at the moment are shifting quicker with the introduction of the PPE platform, a brand new and long-awaited all-electric efficiency platform co-developed with Porsche.
Earlier this yr, the automaker launched the Q6 e-tron, its first car based mostly on the PPE, and we have been fairly impressed. The car is rather more environment friendly than Audi’s earlier EVs, and it feels just like the automaker is beginning to settle into the position of manufacturing electrical automobiles.
The Q6 is an Audi, with all its efficiency and luxurious, and a strong electrical car with a greater than respectable vary and spectacular charging capability.
Audi A6 e-tron
Unsurprisingly, since it’s based mostly on the identical platform, the Audi A6 has impressed me as a lot because the Q6 for a similar causes, however the kind issue is extra environment friendly. And I like my automobiles environment friendly.
The A6 is probably the most aerodynamic Audi ever, with a 0.21 drag coefficient in its most aerodynamic configuration. Sadly, we is not going to get it in North America as a result of it entails changing the facet mirrors with cameras.
The North American model nonetheless will get a powerful 0.23 drag coefficient. The wheels can even make a giant distinction, and Audi presents many choices.
Audi has already confirmed an EPA vary of 370 miles (595 km) on the NA model of the A6 with 20″ wheels, however the automaker advised us on the drive occasion that the upcoming 19″ wheels ought to allow 390 miles (628 km) of vary.
That’s achieved on the identical 100 kWh (94.4 kWh usable) battery pack.
One more reason the A6, just like the Q6, achieves spectacular vary and effectivity is its robust regenerative braking.
Audi is taking the strategy of providing a variety of various regen braking strengths and modes, together with making use of the regen when utilizing the brake pedal, however I personally solely use it in one-pedal driving mode (B). When you get used to it, it’s arduous to return.
It makes the automobile extra environment friendly and enjoyable to drive.
At one level, we drove as much as Mt. Teide, a dormant volcano on the island, at about 2 km of altitude. We have been at about 250 km of vary after I began driving again all the way down to the lodge, which was on the coast about 68 km away.
We arrived on the lodge with about 300 km of vary. That’s simply superior, and it’s not like I used to be attempting to hypermile the A6. I used to be really driving comparatively aggressively, passing folks, and we did a couple of dozen kilometers on the freeway.
When it comes to the precise driving expertise, it was extraordinarily harking back to the Q6 with a decrease driving place. The cabin is useless quiet, which is the principle function of a luxurious car in my guide. In dynamic mode, the steering is absolutely responsive and you may at all times for extra relaxed consolation modes.
The heads-up show clear and helpful with out being obnoxious.
The seats are extremely comfy, particularly within the S6, the efficiency model of the A6, however you even have nice choices within the common A6 or the S line A6, which provides S6 options with out the efficiency.
I didn’t get to attempt these, however I assumed they regarded gorgeous:
Talking of the efficiency, the essential rear-wheel drive with an output of 270 kW (280 kW with Launch Management) is a lot highly effective. It offers you the peppiness that’s so enjoyable about EVs with out being some loopy energy.
If you would like loopy energy, the S6 may give you that. Despite the fact that we’re extra speaking a couple of luxurious household sedan, the twin motor all-wheel-drive powertrain can ship 370 kW (405 kW with Launch Management) for a 0 to 60 mph in simply 3.7 seconds.
It’s vital to notice that the upper efficiency degree additionally comes with decrease effectivity with the S6 getting 324 miles (521 km) of vary.
That’s nonetheless greater than a good vary, particularly when mixed with Audi’s spectacular charging functionality.
The A6 has a peak cost charge of 270 kW, however the charging curve is extra spectacular than the height cost charge:
It makes the Audi A6 an ideal highway journey automobile with the principle draw back being that it doesn’t have NACS in North America. Audi has locked the design slightly too early for NACS integration.
Which means A6 house owners should use an adapter to make use of the Supercharger community in North America.
Talking of highway journeys, I used to be impressed by each the trunk opening and the general house within the again with out even having to put down the again seat:
Audi had the Avant (wagon) model of the A6 on the drive occasion, however sadly, it was off-limits for us North American reporters for the reason that automaker doesn’t plan to launch it within the US or Canada.
I feel wagons look cool; it’s a bummer that they don’t promote nicely in North America. Nevertheless, I’ve to say that I checked the Avant’s trunk in comparison with the sedan Sportback model and there wasn’t a giant distinction.
Audi A6 Pricing and Availability
We don’t have US pricing but. That’s anticipated to reach early subsequent yr earlier than the A6 hits US dealerships just a few months later.
Audi has launched EU pricing for the “higher mid-range fashions”, which begin at at 75,600 euros for the A6 Sportback e-tron efficiency and 77,250 euros for the A6 Avant e-tron efficiency. The S6 Sportback e-tron prices 99,500 euros and the worth for the S6 Avant e-tron is 101,150 euros.
Electrek’s Take
Very like the Q6, I really feel the A6’s important draw back in North America is that it doesn’t come customary with a NACS connector.
If that’s your important draw back, you might be doing nicely because it simply signifies that the few instances a month you need/want to make use of a Supercharger station, it’s important to use an adapter. No huge deal.
Talking of charging, the A6 additionally has an fascinating benefit on that entrance: an non-obligatory twin charger port.
You may have a CCS DC fast-charging succesful port on the driving force’s facet and a degree 2 J1772 on the opposite facet. This may be tremendous sensible for individuals who typically have the cost on metropolis streets.
We nonetheless have to see the official pricing within the US on this, however I feel with the vary, effectivity, quiet cabin, and total luxurious, the 390-mile RWD A6 might show to be a really fascinating new entry within the EV market.
What do you assume? Tell us within the remark part under.
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