Audi will be launching the A6 as a sedan, station wagon and electric model in 2024. The sedan version A6 E-Tron Sportback has already driven in front of the lens of our Erlkönig hunter. There is also an RS6 E-Tron, as confirmed by Audi's design boss.
In mid-March 2023, the Ingolstadt carmaker presented the Audi A6 E-Tron Avant as a concept study and also showed three pictures of the Sportback. According to the company, both concept cars should correspond to 98 percent of the future production models. Based on the Erlkönig pictures (see slideshow) we can show the differences between the models.
Comparison study and production model A6 E-Tron Sportback
The front : The contoured front hood of the study is already visible under the camouflage, the hood cut-out (underneath is the frunk) and the slotted headlights are the same. However, the closed radiator grille is not as high and gives the apron more space. To this end, Audi has redesigned the areas flanking the grille for the fog lights.
The side: The expressive beads can also be seen in a similar form on the production model. The window lines are also the same, even the rear riser with the stronger chrome moldings remains. Of course, the four-door has classic door handles with deep recessed grips, which were completely absent in the study. For this purpose, instead of the filigree camera mirrors, Audi has installed large exterior mirrors that are housed in the window triangle. However, the camera mirrors are optionally available. The antenna in the fin design is located in the rear roof area of the standard Audi.
The rear: Here, too, the basic layout of the study with the flat flap and the large window remains. Likewise, the rear rump should largely correspond to that of the study. The rear lights are different. They are significantly higher in a new design and do not protrude as far into the fender. It remains questionable whether they are connected to a light strip as in the concept car; the illuminated Audi logo would not be allowed in Germany anyway. Compared to the study, the Sportback has a new bumper with a slightly wider step towards the tailgate. The diffuser with the double fins will also not be available in the study form; instead, a trailer hitch is emblazoned there on the prototype.
In terms of dimensions , the study and series should hardly differ. Both concept cars are 4.96 meters long, 1.96 meters wide and 1.44 meters high. The Sportback is said to have a drag coefficient of 0.22, in the production version this is certainly higher thanks to the bodywork changes.
Like the Q6 E-Tron, the electric A6 is based on the PPE
Like the Avant, the Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback is based on the new PPE platform (Premium Platform Electric), which was developed together with Porsche.This skateboard platform allows large battery packs to be accommodated between the axles - it is scalable in terms of wheelbase and battery sizes. The first models at the PPE are the Porsche Macan and a short time later the Audi Q6 E-Tron.
On the drive side, both electric A6s are available with two options. Unusual for Audi either with an electric motor only on the rear or with an electric motor on the front and rear axles for all-wheel drive. The system performance should be 476 hp in the all-wheel drive version, the maximum torque is 800 Nm. The basic E-A6 runs so potently in under seven seconds to 100 km/h, as a top-of-the-line four-wheel drive model it is said to succeed in under four seconds.
With this driving style, however, the maximum range of up to 700 kilometers is not possible. There is no data on the battery sizes yet, but a model with 100 kWh is fixed. The batteries work with 800 volt technology and a maximum charging capacity of 270 kW. The electric Audi A6 is scheduled to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2023, almost a year before that Audi is redesigning the A6 with combustion engines for the last phase of its life.
Design boss confirms RS6 E-Tron
An RS version is also being planned, as Marc Lichte confirmed. Audi's head of design told colleagues from the British magazine "Top Gear" on the sidelines of the presentation of the Activesphere Concept that he had already introduced the RS6 E-Tron to 1,000 managers from the VW Group. "And they were thrilled when they saw the pictures and the models on the stage," added Lichte. The Power-E-Tron is to be presented to the public in 2024.
He announced that the Audi RS6 E-Tron will "definitely" get a wider body with increased track width and larger wheels than the A6 counterparts. In addition, Lichte promised that the RS version would offer "different performance" - although "different" in this context should mean "significantly more". Audi's top designer did not name any details or data, but he did emphasize that the RS is always "about the combination of performance and functionality".
Conclusion
Audi will launch the A6 as an electric model in 2024 based on the PPE platform developed together with Porsche. In addition to the station wagon (Avant), a Sportback version is also planned as a sedan. This means that Audi already has three models – inclusive. Q6 E-Tron - on the electric platform, with the addition of an A4-sized model. And an RS6 E-Tron, which should look and drive much sportier than the standard counterpart.
