New electric car arrives with massive driving range: Posh next-gen Audi A6 e-tron revealed, including a hot S6 variant, to take on the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE

Audi's A6 is going all electric, ditching petrol-power for the next-gen luxury sedan and wagon.

The 2025 A6 e-tron and S6 e-tron will arrive in Australian showrooms in the first half of next year, giving consumers a low-floor alternative to the Q6 e-tron SUV. 

Four variants have been announced and will be built on Audi and Porsche’s joint electric vehicle platform.

The range kicks off with the base A6 e-tron, which sports a 210 kW single-motor, a rear-wheel drive train and an 83kWh battery that provides 610 kilometres of driving range. 

Power output grows to 270kW for the performance edition, which also includes a 100kWh battery for a class-topping 750 km of range. 

The all-wheel drive quattro adds an electric motor to the front axle for 315kW of power, with range falling slightly to 700 km. 

Last but not least, the S6 e-tron packs an output of 370kW, or 405 kW with activated launch control. Driving range drops to 670 km, although it reports the fastest 0-100 km/h time at 3.9 seconds, along with a top speed of 240 km/h.

Each model comes in an avant (wagon) or sportback body style, though Audi says the less-aerodynanic Avant spec will cost customers 30km in range. 

Audi A6 e-tron.

Bearing that in mind, it’s still enough to out-class the rival BMW i5 (562 km range) and the Mercedes-Benz EQE (626 km).

Better yet, Audi’s new 800-volt electrical architecture and standard 270 kW DC charging capacity can deliver 310 km of range in 10 minutes and can take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent capacity in a claimed 21 minutes.

All versions get a streamlined new design that doesn't venture too far from the current A6's progressive look. Sharp panel creases are replaced by more chamfered curves for the sake of aerodynamics, with the new-generation model Audi’s most aerodynamic to date.

A flush front grille indicates the e-tron's EV pedigree. Shuttered “air curtains” below – that open and close autonomously – will help air flow around the front bumper when the motor is in need of cooling.  

The interior design is based on the current Q6 e-tron, which sports a large curved panel that houses a 14.5-inch infotainment display, along with a 11.9-inch digital driver’s display. 

Audi A6 e-tron.

To alleviate passenger boredom, there’s an optional 14.5-inch display passenger display that can be mounted to the vehicle's dashboard and is connected to the internet via the Android Automotive operating system. Passengers can access a wide range of apps including music, video, gaming, weather, navigation and TV. 

If that’s not engaging enough, the Audi virtual assistant allows for further online content, including general knowledge information via connection to Chat GPT. 

Enclosing the vehicle is a panoramic glass roof that can switch from clear to opaque with the push of a button. Audi says the roof can be configured to act like a “digital curtain”, and can even display a checkerboard design. 

At the rear, a large OLED tail light can be personalised by the driver via a list of eight digital light signatures in the settings menu to alternate the vehicle's rear look. 

Audi A6 e-tron.

The sportback measures at 4928mm long, 1923 mm wide, 1487 mm tall, and features a 2946mm wheelbase, making it roughly the same as the current generation A6. It features a 502L boot, as well as a compact 27L front storage area.

The avant is 40mm taller at 1527 mm, but shares the same capacity boot size.

Australian prices aren't confimed but in Europe the A6 e-tron sportback performance will start at €75,600 ($125,000), while the S6 sportback e-tron will start at €99,500 ($165,000). The avant model attracts a premium of €1620 ($2685) on each variant.

A full list of pricing and specs for the Australian market is yet to be determined, although you can expect it closer to the e-tron's official Australian release in 2025.