Audi Unveils A6 Avant e-tron Concept as RS6-Like Electric Wagon
Since the Geneva Motor Show was cancelled yet again for 2022, Audi turned to the web to unveil its new A6 e-tron Concept. This wagon-style EV follows last year’s A6 e-tron Concept introduced at Auto Shanghai and is slated to go on sale in 2024.
Both models use the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE), which was jointly developed by Audi and Porsche as the basis for several all-electric cars in the future.
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RS6 Avant Styling
Audi designers clearly took a page from the twin-turbocharged, V8-powered RS 6 Avant for the latest concept and stayed true to the brand’s styling ethos.
Because it’s an EV, the Singleframe grille is turned upside down and closed with a body-coloured panel featuring a black surround for maximum aerodynamic performance and range. Speaking of which, air curtains on the front corners improve air flow and contribute to a drag coefficient of 0.24. The slim headlight clusters incorporate configurable daytime running lights.
One of the most striking features on the A6 Avant e-tron Concept is definitely the aluminum strip that starts at the base of the A-pillars and goes all the way to the rear, blending in with the roof-mounted spoiler that seems to float above the car.
An OLED bar in the rear emphasizes the concept’s wide stance, while a unique diffuser adds sculpted elegance to the lower body. According to Audi exterior designer Wolf Seebers, the future production model will be 95 percent identical to what you see here, which is incredible. Pretty much all that’s missing are door handles and mirrors to replace the cameras.
Audi is not showing the interior yet because development is still ongoing. PPE-based vehicles will have an exclusive cabin which we’ll discover at a later date.
800V Architecture
Similar to the J1 platform underpinning the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT, the PPE includes an 800V electrical architecture allowing the battery to charge from 5-80 percent in 25 minutes when plugged into a DC fast charger supplying up to 270 kW. Audi claims a WLTP-estimated 300 kilometres of range can be gained in just 10 minutes.
The production A6 Avant e-tron will offer two configurations. The first one will use a single motor and be able to cover up to 700 kilometres (again using the WLTP test cycle). The second will have dual motors—generating a combined 469 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque—along with all-wheel drive.
New Electric SUV to Come First
Both the A6 e-tron and A6 Avant e-tron will come to market after the Q6 e-tron SUV, which is also based on the PPE chassis. Expect to see that model later in 2022 with sales to begin in 2023. Audi lauds the PPE’s tremendous flexibility and versatility, saying it can be used for a number of applications ranging from compact cars to three-row crossovers.
What about the current-generation, gasoline-powered Audi A6, which dates back to 2018? A refresh will come soon, the company says, and the next generation will continue to feature an internal combustion engine. However, as announced in June of last year, Audi’s electrification strategy includes no more new combustion-powered models beyond 2026 and a full EV lineup by 2033.