By 2035, the EU will only permit the sale of electric vehicles, prompting manufacturers like Audi to enhance their offerings. Recently unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, the Q6 Sportback e-tron and A6 e-tron sedan feature competitive pricing and specifications. The A6 e-tron starts at €66,420, offering various battery options and impressive range, while the new A6 Sportback e-tron quattro boasts all-wheel drive and higher performance. Deliveries are slated for spring 2025.
The Future of Electric Cars in the EU
The European Union has set a decisive course for the automotive industry: by 2035, the sale of only electric vehicles will be permitted. As manufacturers race against this deadline, companies like those in the Volkswagen group are already making strides. Among them, Audi stands out with an impressive lineup that includes models like the Q4 e-tron and the e-tron GT.
Introducing More Affordable Electric Options
Audi has recently introduced a new model: the Q6 Sportback e-tron, showcased at the Paris Motor Show. Earlier this year, the brand also rolled out the A6 e-tron, a spacious electric sedan designed to compete with leading models in the market. The A6 e-tron starts at €77,170 for the Performance version, featuring an impressive 367 horsepower.
Despite its premium pricing, Audi is now offering more budget-friendly variants. The company has revealed a base version equipped with a smaller battery, delivering 285 horsepower (210 kW) that can be temporarily boosted to 326 hp (240 kW) with Launch Control. This enables the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a swift six seconds.
The sedan boasts an 83 kWh battery (75.8 kWh usable) that allows for a range of up to 622 kilometers under the WLTP cycle. For the Avant station wagon variant, the range is slightly reduced to 592 kilometers on a single charge.
Charging is efficient, requiring just 21 minutes to move from 10% to 80%, thanks to its 800-volt architecture and a maximum charging power of 225 kW. This allows the sedan to recover up to 260 kilometers in just ten minutes, while the station wagon can regain approximately 245 kilometers.
The starting price for this entry-level model is set at €66,420 (€67,920 for the Avant), which, while lower than initial offerings, still exceeds the threshold for the ecological bonus reserved for electric vehicles priced under €47,000.
In terms of competition, the BMW i5 offers a range of 582 km and 340 hp for €76,250, while the Volkswagen ID.7 claims a distance of 618 km WLTP and 286 hp for €58,290 (excluding promotions).
Expanding the Audi A6 Lineup with 4×4 Capability
Audi is also expanding its electric sedan offerings with the launch of the A6 Sportback e-tron quattro, a higher-end variant featuring all-wheel drive, akin to the S6 but with slightly lower power. This model is equipped with 428 horsepower (315 kW), which can be boosted to 462 horsepower via Launch Control, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
This variant comes with a robust battery, boasting a gross capacity of 100 kWh and a net capacity of 94.9 kWh. The A6 Sportback e-tron can reach up to 711 kilometers WLTP, while the Avant station wagon achieves a range of 679 kilometers.
Charging for this all-wheel-drive model is equally impressive, taking only 21 minutes to reach 80% capacity at a power of 270 kW, similar to the Porsche Taycan. This allows for a recovery of 280 to 290 kilometers in just ten minutes, depending on the selected body style.
Prospective buyers should note that the pricing for the Sportback version starts at €84,320, while the station wagon variant is priced at €85,820. Initial deliveries are expected to commence in the spring of 2025.