Audi A6 e-tron: Aerodynamics Master with a Mask
Ingolstadt remains electrified: After Audi and Porsche tinkered with their Premium Platform Electric (PPE) forever and completed it almost two years late, things are now moving quickly. Following the Q6 e-tron, the brand with the four rings is launching the next model series on this architecture with the A6 e-tron at the turn of the year. The number six remains the same, as even numbers are reserved for electric vehicles in the new Audi world. So, after the elevated electric SUV, it's now the turn of the Sportback and Avant.
Start with 270 kW, which equals 367 HP
The drive concept is identical to that of the Q6 e-tron. This means: an asynchronous motor (ASM) on the front axle and a permanently excited synchronous motor (PSM) on the rear axle. Audi initially offers the two electric cars in two performance levels: 270 kW / 367 HP with rear-wheel drive in the Audi A6 e-tron and the S version with 370 kW / 503 HP (405 kW / 551 HP with Launch Control). While the S6 with all-wheel drive completes the standard sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reaches speeds of up to 240 km/h, the "base" e-tron shines as a Sportback with a standard range of over 750 kilometers (Avant more than 720 km). In Ingolstadt, they are so proud of this that they immediately rave about the "range hero." In reality, this should leave at least 450 to 500 kilometers, which is sufficient for long distances.
The main reason for this remarkable value is the aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.21. The Avant comes with a slightly less streamlined body shape, resulting in a drag coefficient of 0.24. These are no longer records like the 0.30 set in 1982, but they are back at the forefront. After all, the A6 e-tron achieves these values without looking like a completely rounded-off candy.
The battery has a capacity of 100 kilowatt-hours (94.9 kWh net), weighs between 2,100 to 2,335 kilograms (depending on the performance and body variant), and scores with improved drive system efficiency. This involves not only the hairpin winding of the copper wires in the front ASM motor and the rear PSM drive, but also the direct oil cooling of the e-machines for higher power density and recuperation with up to 220 kW.
Audi has mastered "blending" between recuperation and service brake
Especially in terms of braking feel and, above all, the transition from motor to classic analog friction brake, the engineers from Ingolstadt have been meticulous. If the Q6 e-tron is a benchmark, then they have succeeded. Speaking of which, the long-distance hero Audi A6 e-tron performance, with a sprint time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h, is far from being a rolling sand dune. The chassis with adaptive dampers can optionally be supplemented with air suspension in the A6 e-tron, which is standard in the S6 e-tron. If this is the case, the body lowers by 20 millimeters in the "Efficiency" driving mode from 120 km/h, achieving the Sportback's drag coefficient of 0.21. This makes sense from an efficiency standpoint, as the braking force of air resistance increases quadratically with speed. At 80 km/h and below, the A6 e-tron stretches its legs again. However, in the driving programs "Dynamic" and "Efficiency," the body lies ten millimeters lower than in normal mode anyway.
Advantage through light: The A6 e-tron can also communicate with its environment
Another key focus for Audi traditionally is light. In the front, the narrow daytime running lights and main headlights are embedded in a black mask, behind which the LEDs for low and high beams disappear when they are off. A street swashbuckler, so to speak. Only concealing their identity may be a bit difficult. The four rings and the OLED taillights clearly identify the Sportback and Avant as Audis. The Ingolstadt light artists get a lot out of the ten OLED panels with a total of 450 segments. Thanks to a fast processor and a specially developed algorithm, a new image is created multiple times per second. This not only spares the eyes of following drivers but also enables communication between the vehicle and the environment or other road users. Real Car2X, so to speak. When the hazard lights are activated, a digital red warning triangle appears in the taillights. If you open the doors and the rear radar detects an approaching cyclist, this geometric figure also appears, adorned with three cross stripes near each leg.
New: the "pergola roof" with alternating tinted segments
But the light show from Ingolstadt is far from over. To make it easier to open the electric tailgate by waving under the rear, a spotlight marks the correct spot to perform this action. A highlight is the glass roof, which can be set to opaque or tinted, or as a pergola roof with alternating tinted and opaque segments.
The interior is largely known from the Q6 e-tron
The interior is essentially identical to that of the Q6 e-tron. This means: curved displays, flanked by a rectangular screen for the front passenger. Therefore, the display for the virtual instruments is 11.9 inches, the touchscreen measures a stately 14.5 inches, and the new screen for the front passenger at Audi is 10.9 inches. The head-up display with augmented reality is also on board in the A6 e-tron.
The optional camera mirrors are now foldable, and the monitors on the A-pillar have been moved up to be better in the driver’s field of vision. The construction fulfills this purpose but looks as if it were purchased aftermarket. The automatically softly closing doors, on the other hand, convey a genuine premium feeling.
Prices: Starting at 75,000 euros, a subsequent 83-kWh base version will start at approximately 63,000 euros
This is also reflected in the prices. The Audi A6 e-tron will cost around 75,000 euros as a Sportback, while the S6 e-tron will cost less than 100,000 euros. For the Avant variants, the Ingolstadt-based automaker will charge an additional 1,000 to 2,000 euros. Starting mid-next year, Audi will introduce the A6 e-tron with a smaller battery (gross capacity: 83 kWh). This entry-level version will then cost around 63,000 euros. For comparison: The A6 currently starts at 55,500 euros, while the A6 Avant starts at 58,000 euros.
What does that mean?
The A6 e-tron is extremely important for Audi in the business segment. It will be interesting to see how the A7 will be positioned. The designation suggests that it too will be developed further up.
The A6 e-tron was reviewed for us by Wolfgang Gomoll; press-inform
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