The incoming new-generation battery-electric 2025 Audi A6 e-tron luxury sedan and wagon will deliver class-best efficiency and range, according to the German manufacturer.
Speaking to carsales, Audi’s global product marketing executive Philippe Bornert said the key to the next-generation Audi A6 e-tron’s “top of the class” range is that it’s based on the same Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture as the Q6 e-tron SUV.
The electric A6 is expected to offer the same 100kWh lithium-ion battery that provides for a range of well over 600km in the wagon version of the all-electric SUV.
With a lower and more aerodynamic body, plus wind-cheating aids like active aero and rear-view cameras instead of traditional door mirrors, the inbound A6 e-tron is set to have a longer range than the current class-benchmark Volkswagen ID.7.
The VW ID.7 is on sale in Europe and offers a WLTP-verified range of up to 700km, despite being underpinned by the less-sophisticated MEB platform.
It’s not been confirmed, but the A6 e-tron could also potentially overtake cars like the Mercedes-Benz EQS (727km) with a range closing in on 800km.
As well as being capable of travelling long distances before needing to recharge, the Audi A6 e-tron will share the Q6 e-tron’s 800-volt electrical system that will allow the battery pack to be charged at up to 270kW.
That should enable a top-up from 10-80 per cent in around 20 minutes.
When it comes to powertrain options, expect the entry-level version in the line-up to have a rear-mounted e-motor that will produce around 240kW and be available with either an 83kWh (77kWh useable) or the bigger 100kWh (94.9kWh useable) power pack.
At least two dual-motor/all-wheel drive versions could be available – one with 285kW and another with 380kW that will be badged the S6 e-tron.
Later on, an RS 6 e-tron may also be introduced, producing more than 470kW.
There’s no word if both the S6 and RS 6 e-tron versions will be offered in both the Sportback and Avant wagon body styles.
What will be missing from the line-up will be a traditional sedan, although an Avant wagon version will be available.
“When we’ve showed the A6 [replacement] there were two show cars. These two show cars will be the two versions for the series production,” said Bornert.
It’s thought the sedan has been dropped over its poor performance in the wind tunnel, but could live on in the combustion-powered replacement for the A6, which is set to be named either the A5 or A7 as part of Audi’s new naming structure that uses even numbers for EVs and odd numbers for ICE model lines.
That car is thought to be based on an upgraded version of the MLB Evo platform that underpins the current A6 and will be renamed the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture.
When it arrives, we expect a full range of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains to be available.