With back-to-back electric vehicle reveals last year, including the all-electric A6 E-Tron Concept, Audi just unveiled another close-to-production EV model. Underpinned by the same platform as the upcoming A6 EV sedan, the Audi A6 Avant E-Tron Concept is a peek at the monolithic electric station wagon version with an ultra-long wheelbase. Slated to join the four-ring brand next year, the battery-powered A6 Avant E-Tron will effectively be the first electric station wagon available in the U.S.
Powertrain and Range
Sharing its platform with the A6 E-Tron sedan, the A6 Avant E-Tron sits on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE), which was developed jointly with Porsche. While future models built on the PPE platform will include single- and dual-motor options, this concept gets two electric motors for that all-important-to-Audi all-wheel-drive configuration (this is, after all, the quattro brand). As for power, those dual motors develop a combined 469 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque and can punt the E-Tron wagon to 60 mph in fewer than four seconds.
The A6 Avant EV wagon relies on a 100-kWh battery pack and boasts a 435-mile range based on European WLTP ratings. But of course, that mileage will significantly change once tested by EPA standards in America and could end up far lower. With the capability of fast charging up to speeds of 270 kW, Audi says it can add 186 miles of driving range in 10 minutes. When plugged at a fast-charging station, taking the battery energy level from 5 to 80 percent requires around 25 minutes.
A Quick Overview
The Audi A6 Avant E-Tron is 195.6 inches long, 76.8 inches wide, and 56.4 inches tall. Devoid of hard edges, the upscale family hauler features a low-slung profile, an all-glass curving roof, short overhangs, a high beltline, and slanted D-pillars. It rides on 22-inch wheels and comes finished in a warm shade of gray called Neptune Valley, which reveals hints of iridescent gold under the sunlight.
Audi equipped this concept car with advanced exterior lighting technology designed and developed in-house. Drivers can configure the LED headlights and OLED tail lamps with various custom light signatures. High-resolution projectors built into each side of the car illuminate the ground and function as greeting lights and warning signals for approaching bicyclists.
And finally, while recharging the battery, occupants can play videos games on a virtual screen projected onto the wall in XXL format via the LED headlights. (The car must be parked and, of course, facing a wall.)
Design Analysis
At the front, the A6 Avant E-Tron is nearly identical to its sedan counterpart, sharing most of the same design elements. Those include flattened-out LED headlights, large air intakes, a single frame body-color grille, gloss black intake surrounds, and an “E-Tron” logo embedded above the front lip. The clean-cut aluminum trim pieces mounted below the air intakes add another layer of dimension and are a welcome touch.
Turning your attention to the side profile, a strip of aluminum molding starts at the bottom of the A-pillar and stretches across the roofline to the rear spoiler. In true E-Tron concept style, the fully electric A6 Avant also gets camera-based side mirrors featuring a sleek design. Above the rocker panels, the gloss black inlays are a hallmark of the luxury carmaker’s electric models.
On the tail end, things become more dynamic. The most notable feature is in the lower section, where the rear diffuser integrates two massive air outlets adorned by aluminum trim. Unlike decorative exhaust tips found on gas-fed performance cars, these generously sized outlets are functional and direct the airflow underneath. That being the case, the outlets are really just elaborately styled but otherwise typical diffuser elements, helping reduce turbulence and aerodynamic drag and minimize lift and aid high-speed stability.
Additionally, the smartly designed roof spoiler improves aerodynamics. A full-width OLED tail light featuring the Audi logo flushed with the overall composition of lines accentuates the rear end.
Pricing and Availability
You probably noticed that we did not discuss any details about the interior, and that’s because they remain under wraps. As for when we can expect a production-ready A6 Avant E-Tron, electric models using the new PPE platform will make their debut beginning in 2023. In terms of pricing, Audi did not say, but a starting price somewhere in the vicinity of $75,000 to $85,000 sounds about right.
Keyword: Audi A6 Avant E-Tron Concept First Look: The Drop-Dead Station Wagon, Electrified