Audi’s upcoming EVs include the Audi A6 Electric. It is a production version of the Audi A6 etron concept car from Auto Shanghai 2021. It will compete against the Lucid Air and Mercedes EQE as well as the Nio ET7 and BMW i5. According to an Autocar article dated July 20, 2021, Sascha Heyde stated that 95% of the design elements from the concept would be used in the production model. Designer Sascha Heyde referred to Audi A6 Electric’s “next evolution” in the design journey of Audi. Heyde and his design team concentrated on the width and length of the electric sedan, not its height. Audi designers were able to create ample space between the axles for the battery pack by extending the wheelbase.
The Audi A6 E-tron’s proportions are similar to those of the Audi A6 or A7. The electric Audi is more aerodynamic than its gasoline-powered siblings. It has a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.22 and competes with Mercedes EQE (0.22 Cd), Lucid Air (0.20 Cd), etc. The sedan’s slippery surfaces will reduce drag and increase range. Audi claims that its wind tunnel fine-tuning has allowed it to maintain an organic form, which is also functional and stylish.
The A6 Electric is expected to have at least one performance variant, including an RS version. The RS version of the Etron GT is not very different from the regular model. Audi Sport wants to make sure that the RS version of the A6 Electric is more distinctive. Dr. Sebastian Grams (Managing Director, Audi Sport) stressed the importance of creating wilder, visually distinct models in order to differentiate them from regular Audis. This was reported by Auto Express, May 18, 2023.
2024 Audi A6 Electric Concept
Spy photos of the Audi A6 Electric production suggest it could feature changes in the front, such as modified headlamps and larger lower air intakes. It may also have new side air outlets. In the final version of the split headlamps, the lower part is wider and houses both the high beams and low beams. The DRL looks different, as it is more like a band of light than the cluster of jewels-like lights that were divided into three rows in the concept.
The production vehicle is unlikely to have the high-resolution projectors that the concept car uses to project visual messages or warnings onto the ground. On the side, the traditional glass mirrors are used instead of the virtual cameras. Audi’s production cars appear to use fixed flush door handles that have an electronic release hidden beneath them. The Audi A6 Electric has a less flashy rear light. The tail lights are a little smaller and don’t extend out as far as the concept.
Johannes Arneth, Technical Project manager for Audi A6 Electric, stated that the brand wanted to “really stress” EV coherence with the A6 family. According to Autocar magazine, he added that the A7 is “independent enough” for its own brand. Audi also said the vehicle will have a low ride height and a high level of ground clearance, which is a PPE characteristic. The EV’s lighting is the most interesting feature. This is a light show on wheels.
Interior
Audi A6 Electric interior will be more spacious and cleaner than the current A6. The dashboard should be sleeker with air vents that are discreetly integrated, a free-standing touchscreen landscape oriented, and an instrument cluster with a widescreen. The car could have a touchscreen built into both the front and rear door panels, which would display the feed from the virtual exterior mirrors of the car.The Q4 etron’s steering wheel is the same, and it comes in two different versions: one that is completely round, and another with flattened bottom and top. Audi can equip the transmission tunnel with a very large and spacious design, as there won’t be a transmission tunnel. A flat floor is also expected, giving customers more comfort and space.
Volkswagen Group confirmed that it will use Android Automotive Operation System for the Audi Q6 Etron and Audi A6 Electric. CARIAD is the Group’s software department, and it is working on a new software platform (E31.2) for future Audi and Porsche models. The company intends to use Android Automotive’s Android Open Source Project version (AOSP), which does not include Google Services by default. The company may have an alternative app store to the Google Play Store that we are all used to.
Engine & Performance
CARIAD has been facing significant challenges in software development. This has delayed the release of Audi’s and Porsche’s PPE-platform cars. The A6 Electric could also be facing a launch delay. The Audi A6 Electric is based on the Premium Platform Electric, which was developed jointly with Porsche. The platform is rear-wheel drive as standard. However, customers can choose to upgrade to AWD by adding a second front-wheel motor (PSM, ASM, depending on model) to improve grip and performance. Two electric motors in the concept can produce 470 hp, and 800 Nm.
Audi’s entry-level production configuration is expected to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (0 62 mph) within less than seven second. The Entry variant will be able sprint from 0-62mph in 7.6 second, while the two other variants can do it in 6.5 seconds and 5.7 seconds respectively. All models would have a top speed electronically limited at 130 mph. The Audi A6 etron concept is 195.2 inches in length, 77.1 inches in width, and 56.7 inch tall. This is similar to the A6/A7. The wheelbase could be between 117 to 121.2 inches.
PPE has a high degree of scalability, which makes it ideal for different vehicle segments. The MLB platform is shorter, but it offers more interior space due to its short overhangs. Audi A6 Electric’s wheelbase will be longer than A6L’s 119-inch space between axles. Legroom is also better because there’s no transmission tunnel. Audi A6 Electric could also feature adaptive air suspension, rear axle steering and rear axle steering.
The unusually high Cd of 0.318 for the A6 Electric in the Chinese document could be a flaw. Audi released a figure for the concept of 0.22 and we expect that the production model will be almost as aerodynamic. According to Chinese data, the boot of the Audi Electric was rated at approximately 550 liters.
The weights of both the RWD and AWD versions are identical. Final specifications may differ as AWD setups are heavier. The AWD version would have more horsepower but less range, while the RWD variant would maximize range and provide less horsepower (but still adequate).
Audi claims that the battery pack of the A6 e-tron concept has a storage capacity of 100 kWh. This is enough to give WLTP a range of over 700 km (435 miles). The 800-volt operating voltage allows for charging speeds up to 270kW. The concept is capable of charging from 5 to 80% within 25 minutes. In just ten minutes, a DC charger will add up to 300 km (186 miles) of charge.
The A6 etron, either at launch or after a later software update, could support a charge input of 300 kW. This would allow 5-80% DC rapid charging to be completed in only 20 minutes. Audi is slowly building a network of charging stations, currently consisting of hubs in Nuremberg, Berlin and Zurich. These outlets are owned by the company and allow for charging up to 320 kW. Ionity and Electrify America, with their extensive DC fast-charging networks in Europe and the USA respectively, can charge compatible EVs even faster – at 350 kW.
2024 Audi A6 Electric Release Date & Price
Audi will likely launch the A6 Electric after the Q6 E-tron in Europe in 2024. The arrival of the electric sedan in North America is not confirmed by credible sources or official sources. Audi could be looking to the A6 electric as a solution for the declining sales of the gas-powered A6 in the U.S.
The A6 ranked 9th in 2022 on the list of the top Audis sold in the U.S. The A6 was outsold by all but one model, the e tron (7,503 vehicles). Audi of America only sold 6,003 A6s by 2022. This was a 37% drop compared to 2021 (9 544 units). Audi sold 1,985 A6 units in the U.S. in Q1 of 2023. This is 56% more than Q1 2022 (1274 units). The absolute sales figures are still quite low, despite the growth. BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series recorded 7,536 and 3,031 respectively during the same time period. Audi must create an attractive package to make the A6 Electric successful in the U.S.