Audi's A6 e-tron: Electrifying the Autobahn
Image Credit: Audi.
Audi, the brand known for its German precision and sleek design, has rolled out its long-awaited A6 e-tron. Although we have had a sneak-peek already, thanks to those pesky leaksters, let me tell you - the new A6 e-tron is shaping up to be quite the contender in the luxury electric car segment.
This isn't some rehashed concept car; the production version is almost identical to the one they teased us with over two years ago. It comes in two flavors, the Avant estate (for those who like a bit more cargo space) and the Sportback (for those who prefer a sleeker profile). Plus, there's the sporty S6 e-tron for those who need a bit more pep in their step.
OK, so the looks aren't revolutionary, but there's something classy and futuristic going on here. It's got that familiar Audi EV face, with those slim headlights and the massive blanked-off grille. But what sets it apart is the rear, with that full-width light bar and those glowing Audi rings. It's a fully-blown futuristic disco on wheels.
The inside is just as swanky, with three massive screens taking center stage. There's a digital driver's display, a central touchscreen, and even a screen for the passenger. Talk about keeping everyone entertained on those long road trips. And for the tech-savvy, there's an augmented reality head-up display that projects navigation directions onto the road.
But let's quickly get to the good stuff - the actual performance. The A6 e-tron comes with a 100 kWh battery pack (94.9 kWh usable capacity), which Audi claims will get you up to 466 miles of range in the hatchback version. And with 800-volt charging, you can juice it up from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes if you can find a DC charger that delivers more than 270 kWh.
The standard A6 e-tron will come with a single electric motor sending over 300 horsepower to the rear wheels. The dual-motor Performance version delivers 362 horsepower (270 kW) and propels the new electric A6 from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.4 seconds. Not enough? Well, Audi's got you covered. The S6 e-tron with its dual motors and all-wheel drive pushes out nearly 500 horsepower (370 kW) and it'll get you from 0 to 62 mph in a blistering 3.9 seconds.
Unfortunately, this being an electric Audi, the A6 e-tron isn’t what you can call affordable. The starting price for the Performance Sportback model is nearly $82,000, while the S6 Sportback starts at just under $108,000 in Europe. The pleasure of owning the Performance Avant will set you back almost $84,000, while the stylish cargo hauler S6 will bust your bank account demanding $110,000. Pretty penny for a pretty car, but is Audi pushing too far? Or have they finally decided to drop the “affordability” from the menu and focus on what really brings the bacon?
So, the new A6 e-tron - a benchmark for electric cars. Well, sort of. It certainly has got the looks, the tech, and the performance to back up that claim. But until I get my hands on one and put it through its paces, we'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, start saving those pennies, because the A6 e-tron might just be worth breaking the bank for.
