Audi’s Electric Future

The e-Tron sub-brand is expanding fast, and will soon enter Audi’s most crucial segment: the executive saloon. Not only that, but its A6 e-Tron (shown here in concept guise) will be the first of its established name plates to switch to EV when the production version goes on sale in 2023 (the four-door in the spring, the Avant in the autumn). And Ingolstadt is bringing its A-game

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Along with the Audi Q6 e-Tron SUV expected in the same year, the A6 e-Tron uses the PPE platform with all of the impressive range, performance stats and charging times that involves. We can expect around 435 miles from a charge, with smaller battery capacities being offered soon after the car’s introduction, and another variant making an e-Tron GT-rivalling 469bhp and 590lb ft.

Neither should we rule out an RS version, as already offered with the RS e-Tron GT, though crucially that model uses a different platform. ‘I would be delighted to see such a car,’ says Johannes Arneth, the A6 e-Tron’s project manager. ‘We are thinking hard and fast about this, particularly the e-motors and thermal management of the battery.’

The A6 e-Tron also sees an evolution of Audi’s design for EVs. Granted, this is just a concept for now, but the A6 e-Tron is shapelier and cleaner than other electric Audis. The traditional creased wheelarch bulges are more curvaceous here, for example. ‘They’re now sculptural and integrated,’ elaborates exterior design boss Philipp Römers. This, for us, is the next step: to be muscular and bold, but also quite clean.’ Clean design enhances aerodynamics, which, in turn, means better range – the A6 concept has a drag co-efficient of just 0.22.

But that’s not all. Audi’s electric plans are hitting their stride, with the whole product portfolio expected to make the transition to full battery-electric power. Vorsprung durch technik indeed.

It’s an Audi A6 Jim, but not as we know it