It might look polarising to some, but the Audi A6 e-tron is incredibly well thought out, and a confident glance at Audi’s new architecture.
At first glance, the A6 e-tron is about as slippery as they come, literally. With a drag coefficient as low as 0.21Cd if you tick the box for the Sportback and those camera-based wing mirrors, this is a car that slices through the air like a sushi chef through bluefin tuna.
Aerodynamic wizardry aside, the styling is restrained but polished. Audi gives us a flush grille with Movember moustache motifs, subtle ‘black mask’ detailing to conceal its techno-gubbins, and a sense that this was designed in a wind tunnel.
And speaking of obsessions, Audi’s designers have clearly gone full aero-nerd. Flush door handles? Check. Flat underbody? Check. Active grille shutters? Of course.
It’s extremely clever
Look beyond the sleek shell and what you’ll find is a car built on the kind of clever architecture Audi’s betting its EV future on: 800V electrical backbone, lightning-quick 270kW charging, and motors that are leaner and meaner (30% smaller, 20% lighter). In the real world? It’s quietly impressive.
The A6 e-tron version comes with a 94.9kWh battery and a single, rear-mounted motor pushing out 281bhp. A rear-wheel-drive Audi? The purists will nod approvingly.
It’s the first since the R8 RWS and yes, you can tell. It feels balanced. Composed. And just the right amount of playful when the roads get interesting.
Does it feel fast?
Not quite neck-snapping. Despite the 0–100km/h sprint in 6 seconds, the A6 e-tron feels more smooth operator than thrill-seeker. Blame the 2.2-tonne kerb weight, or maybe the hushed refinement. Torque is plentiful though (all 435Nm of it) on tap at all times and made more interactive via paddles that let you tweak regenerative braking on the fly.
We sampled both the standard passive dampers and the cushier adaptive air suspension (which Audi says will be S6-only… for now). Honestly? Save your dollars.
The air setup adds plushness over long waves, but potholes still pack a punch. The passive setup is more than competent, and unless you’re living on a billiard table, the difference isn’t night and day. Just avoid the 21-inch wheels; they look good but bring the drama on broken tarmac.
If you’ve driven an Audi recently, this will feel familiar, only smoother and with a dash of newfound rear-driven enthusiasm. It flows through corners with quiet confidence and never once feels lumbering. Dare we say, it’s got handling finesse the EQE can only dream of and makes the i5 feel like it’s trying too hard.
Technology galore
Inside, Audi has gone full Blade Runner. The dash is dominated by three screens: an 11.9-inch digital cluster, a 14.5-inch infotainment panel, and a cheeky 10.9-inch screen for your passenger.
The UI is logical, the colours are calm, and best of all, there’s a physical volume knob. A rare win in the war on buttons.
Of course, the climate controls are all virtual. The lighting and mirror adjustments are now tucked into a crowded door panel. But hey, the seats are supremely comfortable, the interior feels plush, and there’s even a sprinkle of Bang & Olufsen magic for audiophiles.
Rear passengers sit a little high, thanks to the battery underfoot, and foot space under the front seats is tight.
Boot space stands at 502 litres. Fold the seats and that jumps to 1,422 litres. There’s even a 27-litre frunk for your charging cables and whatever emergency snacks you keep in your car.
One last bit of theatre: remember the awkward foot-wagging routine to open the boot? Audi now projects a light onto the ground to show you where to wave. And for the bonnet, just wave your hand above the badge.
Don’t judge a book by its cover
The A6 e-tron is a thoroughly sorted EV. It does the sensible, stylish Audi thing, just with electricity.
Elegant, efficient, and incredibly well-mannered on the road. Lighter than its rivals. Better to drive. And blissfully not another SUV.
Technical Specifications
Audi A6 e-tron
Engine: Single Electric Motor
Powertrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 210 kW (281 bhp)
Torque: 435 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A) Reduction Gear
0-100km/h: 6.0 Seconds
Top Speed: 210 km/h
Battery Capacity: 83 kWh
Drive Range: TBC
Energy Consumption: TBC
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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