Audi A6 Avant e-tron Concept: 100 kWh, 700 kilometers range

A little over a year ago, Audi unpacked by pulling the curtain on the A6 e-tron Concept shortly after the introduction of the Q4 e-tron. The A6 e-tron was a concrete harbinger of an electric Sportback-like in the segment of the Audi A6. So a preview of Audi’s future answer to the Mercedes-Benz EQE. Where the EQE has to do without an Estate for the time being, Audi is already exploring the design road that should eventually lead to a fully electric A6 Avant. This is namely the A6 Avant e-tron Concept, the more practical second part of Audi’s preview of an electric model next to the traditional A6.

Anyone who can still remember the Audi A6 e-tron Concept will probably not be surprised to see this Audi A6 e-tron Concept. Nothing to the detriment of the Audi designers, but the addition ‘Avant’ to the model name of this new design study, of course, already indicates that it is a station version of that earlier concept car. The Audi A6 Avant e-tron Concept has a similar look-in front in common, complete with flat light units incorporating LED daytime running lights. The actual headlights are located in the deeper parts on either side of the grille. The grille itself has the same shape, but has a different interpretation than the copy of the concept car shown last year.

Audi A6 e-tron Concept and Audi A6 Avant e-tron Concept

Up to roughly the B-pillar, Audi’s new study model seems like two drops of water on last year’s A6 e-tron Concept, but behind it everything is pretty much different. The Avant version has a roof that extends much further to the rear, but despite its station shape, it has a rather steeply sloping roofline. The A6 Avent e-tron Concept also has to do without the upward kink near the D-pillar. The rear lights are very similar to those of the A6 e-tron Concept. Above it is a striking lean-to that serves as an overflow between the air units and the rear window. Above the relatively flat rear window is a rear spoiler that optically extends the roof. The huge diffuser at the bottom of the rear is perhaps the biggest visual attraction here. Audi previously told AutoWeek that the concept of the A6 e-tron could also go well with the RS label. This fierce diffuser may be a hint at how a sporty S or RS flavor of the electric A6 (Avant) e-tron could be designed.

In terms of dimensions, the A6 Avant e-tron Concept provides few surprises. The study model is 4.96 meters long, 1.96 meters wide and is therefore just as large as the A6 e-tron Concept shown last year. Audi indicates to AutoWeek that the luggage space should be comparable to that of the existing A6 Avant. So count on about 565 liters of storage fun.

Audi A6 Avant E-tron Concept

Technology

The technology that hides under this A6 Avant e-tron Concept is the same as that of the A6 e-tron Concept, but is therefore no less interesting. They are both on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform, a basis that Audi has developed together with Porsche. The two conceptual A6s therefore paint a good picture of what platform entails. Between the front and rear axle of this study model is a 100 kWh battery, good for a range of up to 700 kilometers. PPE also means: 800v technology. It is therefore not surprising that Audi indicates that you can fill the battery pack with up to 270 kW with electricity. This preview of an electric A6 Avant has two 476 hp and 800 Nm strong electric motors that drag the car to 100 km/h in about 4 seconds. Of course, the production version also gets milder powertrains. Audi already indicates that the basic version is in any case fast enough, which has already reached 100 km/h in less than 7 seconds.

The PPE platform is certainly not reserved for the A6s. Audi will probably come early next year with the Q6 e-tron, an electric SUV that will introduce the new platform at Audi. The A6 e-tron and A6 Avant e-tron will follow next.