Audi is finally giving us what we really want - an electric wagon
Thursday, 17 March 2022
Audi has taken the wraps off a new concept, and it’s what we’ve all secretly been waiting for. Admit it, you’ve wanted an electric station wagon since ages ago as well.
Called the A6 Avant e-tron, it might just be a concept for now, but Audi is committed to bringing it to production. Stuff was invited to a roundtable with Audi, where it was confirmed the company is aiming for a 2024 due date.
Essentially, Audi has simply done what it’s always done with its A6 range, and slapped a wagon rear end on the A6 sedan concept from last year. That means a long wheelbase, short overhangs, pronounced arches, and narrow, fully customisable daytime running lights on the nose.
There are cameras instead of wing mirrors, a floating rear spoiler that connects with a strip of chrome running along the roof and down either side of the windscreen, and huge corner intakes on either side of the grille.
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Around the back is a full-width, thick LED strip that presents a sort of 3D look, with some healthy diffusers beneath. No exhausts, obviously.
Better yet, Audi says this is broadly how the production version will look, save for a few minor tweaks.
The concept A6 e-tron has two electric motors with 350kW of power and 800Nm of torque. Audi also said that the A6 e-tron will be able to tow, though it’ll be interesting to see how much that affects the range…
As for performance, entry-level RWD models designed for efficiency will accelerate from 0 to 100kmh in less than seven seconds. Top-of-the-line all-paw models will crack that in less than four seconds.
Underneath it all will be the new PPE platform co-developed with Porsche. Audi isn’t talking specifics, but we know the platform can support 100kWh batteries with around 700km of potential range and charge rates of up to 270kW at 800 volts. Audi says the car can regain 300km of range after ten minutes of full-power charging.
We’ll first see PPE on the Q6 SUV, due in 2023.
Interestingly, at the roundtable, Audi confirmed there will still be a combustion A6 Avant alongside the e-tron, despite Audi wanting to go fully electric by the end of the decade.
Putting two and two together, this will be the last time you’ll be able to buy a combustion A6. Whether that extends to the S6 and RS 6 is unclear, but probable. Imagine an RS 6 e-tron using the GT’s powertrain…
After 2026, Audi will only launch new EVs, and by 2030, will offer EVs exclusively.