Audi is consistently continuing on the path to electric driving. After the electric A6 Sportback, shown as a study at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2021, this hatchback model has now been joined by a veritable station wagon. The A6 Avant E-Tron Concept is already very close to the production model announced for 2024, according to an online presentation. The key data are 4.96 meters long, 1.96 meters wide, and the Avant is 1.44 meters high. Like the hatchback model, the Avant is based on the PPE platform developed jointly with Porsche, which stands for “Premium Platform Electric” and will serve as the basis for a number of other vehicles from the VW Group. The first PPE model will come as early as 2023.
The 800-volt technology, which enables fast charging with 270 kW, is important. The batteries in the underbody can store up to 100 kWh, then ranges of up to 700 kilometers according to the WLTP standard are possible. Less than 25 minutes passed from five to 80 percent fill level. A range of 300 kilometers could be charged in ten minutes. Both axles are each driven by an electric motor, 476 hp (350 kW) and a maximum torque of 800 Nm promise impressive driving performance. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes four to seven seconds, depending on the engine version. Various combinations of motor, battery and drive are planned for the series model, there will also be a basic model with rear-wheel drive and less power. The top models get air suspension. As befits a station wagon, a trailer hitch will be included.
The study presented has not yet been set up inside, and Audi has not yet announced data on the size of the trunk, but they should essentially be similar to those of the current model (565 to 1680 liters). What there will be is a frunk, so a small trunk under the front hood. For the interior, Audi promises a “completely new interior”.
New Audi
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Ring free for the electric A6
From the outside, the study is not as futuristic as one might expect, the very good drag coefficient of 0.24 is only slightly higher than that of the hatchback model. The wheels are huge, the camera exterior mirrors are not part of the basic equipment later. The nicely illuminated rings on the front and rear also have no chance for the series, at least in Europe, they are simply not (yet) permitted.
The vehicles intended for the local market are to be built in Germany. Other production facilities are planned for other markets, for example in China. And with all the enthusiasm for the electric future: The conventional Audi A6 will not be sold when the A6 E-Tron models reach the market. A successor is already being worked on, which should be launched in 2025 or 2026. The current A6 has been on the market since September 2018. The only question is whether two A6s on two different platforms will pay off.