The A6 has been one of Audi’s more popular models and for its latest incarnation it has been given the electric ‘e-tron’ treatment. With a revised and stylish design in either a ‘Sportback’ or ‘Avant’ (Estate / Station Wagon), this premium model is available to order new this month. This new version offers a seamless exterior and interior architecture tailored to the occupants in terms of design and ergonomics. Featuring outstanding aerodynamics and a long range of over 450 miles (variable according to conditions), the A6 e-tron EV (electric vehicle) offers great driving dynamics thanks to adaptive air suspension which enables a broad spread between excellent long-distance comfort and sporty driving dynamics.
The Exterior
With class-leading aerodynamic qualities, the body’s clean design focuses on dynamism and elegance. The slim design of the daytime running lights and the wide grille give the prestige A6 e-tron a true road presence. A black mask surrounds the closed and inverted ‘Singleframe’ grille, reflecting the distinct design language of the German brand’s e-tron electric vehicles. The main headlights and other functional elements, such as the ‘Advanced Driver Assistance System’ (ADAS) sensors and the air intakes, are integrated into the dark mask, making them almost invisible.
The A6 e-tron Sportback has a striking roofline, while the quattro blisters emphasize the all-wheel-drive drivetrain with their sculptural shape. They are a core element of the Audi design DNA, say the company. As the heart of the car, the battery is highlighted by a black insert in the sill area. The insert gives the car a flat, slim appearance from the side. It extends to the rear and integrates the reflectors, giving the A6 e-tron a visually stretched appearance.
The Avant meanwhile is characterized by a very flat roofline, with the D-pillar sloping steeply forward. An aluminium-look trim piece from the A-pillar to the roof spoiler is a new, distinctive feature of the A6 Avant e-tron. The headlights and rear lights have a three-dimensional design and offer digital light signatures, bringing the physical and digital worlds together. At the front, the Audi A6 e-tron family offers digital daytime running lights with LED technology as well as second-generation digital OLED rear lights on higher specification models. A ‘smart’ glass panoramic roof can be optionally specified.
At the back, on either model, the clean design, combined with the continuous and three-dimensional light strip, gives the new A6 e-tron real clarity. A striking spoiler lip finishes off the rear of the Sportback, and the eye-catching rear diffuser further emphasizes the sporty look of the rear. The Audi A6 e-tron comes with 20 inch five-twin spoke wheels as standard, while the S line trim variant gets 20 inch ‘five-spoke tripod’ wheels. Alternatively, the performance S6 e-tron comes with 21 inch wheels as standard. The exterior of the Audi A6 e-tron differs between the Sport, S line and S models. Up to eight exterior colours are available at market launch.
The Interior
The premium quality interior of the Audi A6 e-tron is geared towards users’ needs. The three-dimensional and high-contrast design deliberately places elements in the foreground or background, creating a spatial architecture tailored to the occupants in terms of both design and ergonomics. The MMI (Multi-Media Interface) panoramic display, with its curved design and OLED technology, consists of the 11.9 inch Audi virtual cockpit and the 14.5 inch MMI touch display which, together with the 10.9 inch MMI front passenger display, forms a digital stage with a clear design.
In yet another innovation, this car offers ‘Active Privacy Mode’ which allows the front seat passenger to enjoy entertainment content while travelling, such as watching movies or streaming series, without distracting the driver, importantly. Depending on the current speed, and seat occupancy, the light is directed (privacy mode on) or diffused (content visible to all) via an intelligent control unit.
In fact, Audi is taking a significant step forward in display technology with the optional second-generation augmented reality head-up display, another central element of the digital stage. The display reflects a large, tilted image plane across the wind-shield angled towards the driver. It shows relevant information such as speed, traffic signs, assistance, and navigation symbols.
From a comfort point of view, the interior creates a homely ambiance. The ‘soft wrap’ extends from door to door across the entire panel width, creating a homogeneous and enveloping feeling of space with materials selected from a functional perspective. At the same time, they ensure a clear design differentiation of the various areas in the vehicle’s interior. Comfort-oriented areas are designed with generous surfaces and soft materials. In contrast, the precisely designed control areas in high-quality, high-gloss black emphasize interaction with the vehicle.
The slim air vents seem to disappear into the background. The displays of the optional virtual exterior mirrors are located inside the doors, clearly visible in the angle of the A-pillar and the door sill. A digital wrap is also created here, which extends from mirror to mirror across the entire digital instrument panel and is connected via the dynamic interaction light at the base of the windscreen. Essential functions such as mirror adjustment, lighting, and locking systems are integrated compactly into the central control panel in the driver's door. An optional four-zone automatic air conditioning system and the air quality package with aroma fragrance and ionizer complete the elegant ambiance. Infotainment is catered via ‘Android Automotive’ with the usual connectivity and of course no less than twenty speakers in the Bang & Olufson sound system.
The Power
Powerful, compact, and highly efficient electric motors and a lithium-ion battery newly developed and consisting of 12 modules and 180 prismatic cells with a total gross capacity of 100 kWh ensures a range of over 450 miles depending upon model and usage of course.
Two versions of the A6 e-tron EV will be available from launch: the A6 Sportback / Avant e-tron performance and the S6 Sportback / Avant e-tron. The performance models have a system output of up to the equivalent of 361bhp (367PS / 270 kW) and are rear-wheel drive. The Audi A6 e-tron performance accelerates from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds and has a top speed of 130mph. Meanwhile, the S6 Sportback / Avant e-tron models use quattro all-wheel drive. And the ability to sprint to a 0-62mph time of just 3.9 seconds. The top speed is 149mph. Further models with rear-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive will follow at a later date.
An important adjunct to this is about regeneration; that is, recovering electricity and storing it. The advanced recuperation (regenerative braking) system is an important component in increasing the efficiency and range of the Audi A6 e-tron. This system can handle around 95 percent of everyday braking processes. The Audi A6 e-tron recuperates up to 220 kW. The temperature and the battery’s state of charge play a key role here. Recuperation occurs on the front and rear axles, with minor deceleration handled by the rear axle for efficiency reasons. In addition, a higher regenerative braking performance is possible on the rear axle due to the more powerful electric motor. Another advance in this technology.
MHH International & Audi
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