Riding on the same PPE platform shared with the upcoming Audi Q6 E-Tron and Porsche Macan, the A6 Avant E-Tron concept is a gorgeous estate with generous dimensions: 4.96 meters (16.3 feet) long, 1.96 meters (6.4 feet) wide, and 1.44 meters (4.7 feet) tall. That makes it just about as big as today’s A6 and A7 models, suggesting the electric liftback and wagon will eventually go on to replace the ICE-powered vehicles. Even though it’s a big wagon, the concept still has an impressively low drag coefficient of only 0.22 for better aerodynamic efficiency to boost range.

As you would expect from a concept car, the electric wagon rides on massive wheels, measuring 22 inches in diameter. The relatively short overhangs are a sign the A6 Avant E-Tron sits on a dedicated EV platform engineered to maximize the wheelbase to enable a spacious interior and a large cargo area. The pretty wagon signals a future design language the German luxury brand will apply to production models with slim matrix LED headlights and a fancy OLED light bar at the back with the Four Rings illuminated.

Audi’s corporate singleframe grille will survive in the EV era but will obviously switch to a close-off design since there’s no combustion engine under the hood that would require extra cooling. Those tiny cameras used to be a concept-only feature not that long ago, but they’ve recently trickled down to production cars in recent years, including for Audi’s own E-Tron large SUV.

At the heart of the A6 Avant E-Tron concept are two electric motors enabling a Quattro all-wheel-drive system with a combined output of 469 hp (350 kW) and a virtually instant torque of 800 Nm (590 lb-ft). The motors feed on a fairly large 100-kWh battery pack mounted between the axles to enable a more than decent WLTP range of 435 miles (700 kilometers).

Audi touts a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in less than four seconds for the range-topping version, potentially an RS-badged model to (eventually) supersede the RS6 Avant. Much like the E-Tron GT sedan, the concept benefits from the 800V technology, therefore enabling fast-charging capabilities of up to 270 kW. That translates to 186 miles (300 kilometers) of range in only 10 minutes of charging. As with all future PPE-based cars, the concept has a completely flat floor layout after taking out the bulky transmission tunnel found in conventionally powered vehicles.

The engineers from Ingolstadt have fitted the stunning estate with a sophisticated five-link axle tailored to EVs while at the back there’s a multi-link setup. The concept has been envisioned with standard air suspension, and although interior images have not been released, Audi says the A6 Avant E-Tron concept benefits from a roomy cabin with ample legroom for both front and rear occupants.

The first PPE-based Audi will go on sale in 2023 after entering production later this year at home in Ingolstadt. We’re talking about the Q6 E-Tron, with the A6 liftback and wagon likely coming in the following years.

Source: Audi

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Fast forward to December, Chinese publication Yiche claims to have gained access to the technical specifications of the production model due to be unveiled in 2022. The purely electric model is said to go by the A6L moniker while being internally codenamed E6L, with the “L” possibly signaling it’s a long-wheelbase version. It could mean the global model will have a shorter distance between the axles, but it’s unclear at this point.

In the People’s Republic, the new EV carrying the Four Rings is said to come with a choice between either a base battery with a capacity of 83 kWh or a larger concept-matching 100-kWh pack. Should you settle for the entry-level version, chances are you will be stuck with a front-wheel-drive setup and a single electric motor. The more expensive model with the bigger battery will be optionally available with Quattro by adding an e-motor at the rear axle.

The AWD-equipped Audi A6L is said to cover the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 5.7 seconds, followed by the FWD model with the beefier battery at 7.6 seconds, and the base FWD-only model with the smaller battery in 7.6 seconds. Regardless of configuration, the top speed will be electronically limited at 130 mph (209 km/h).

Riding on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, the forthcoming zero-emissions Audi won’t be nearly as aerodynamic as the concept car before it since Yiche believes it will have a Cd of 0.318. In terms of weight, the single-motor variant will obviously be the lightest, tipping the scales at 2,301 kilograms (5,072 pounds).

There must be a mistake in the original reporting because the Audi A6L with the bigger battery is listed at 2,502 kilograms (5,515 pounds) regardless of whether it’s Quattro or not. Surely the AWD model is going to be a tad heavier after adding a second electric motor.

Based on the local fuel economy standard, the 83-kWh version will offer a maximum driving range of 550 kilometers (342 miles) while the model equipped with the 100-kWh with or without Quattro will cover 600 km (373 miles). Charging the battery for 25 minutes will increase the SOC from 5% to 80%.

The official premiere is reportedly taking place next year when the Q6 E-Tron and Porsche Macan EV are also scheduled to come out on the same PPE platform.

Source: Yiche.com

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Speaking with German monthly business magazine Manager Magazin, Audi CEO Markus Duesmann said the A4 and A6 will switch to pure electric powertrains after the next generation. The current models are scheduled to be replaced in 2023 and will soldier on with traditional powertrains. Given the typical seven-year life cycle of a product, it effectively means the A4 and A6 will become EVs by the end of the decade.

Interestingly, Duesmann also said he doesn’t see a bright future up ahead for plug-in hybrids either as Audi is primarily focusing on all-electric cars. In addition, he believes customers will gradually lose interest in PHEVs in the years to come, especially since there will be a lot more EVs to choose from by 2030.

Audi has kicked off its EV efforts into high gear and will unveil the production version of its highly anticipated E-Tron GT sedan on February 9. The Q4 E-Tron and Q4 E-Tron Sportback are also coming later in 2021 as zero-emissions SUVs riding on the MEB platform shared with the Volkswagen ID.4. At the same time, the Four Rings are working with Porsche to develop the PPE platform that will underpin a variety of medium to large EVs due to arrive later this decade.

The biggest undertaking in terms of electrification is Project Artemis, which sees automotive and technology experts from the VW Group working together to speed up EV development for all brands of the German conglomerate. Audi is the development leader and the first order of business is to introduce a “highly efficient electric car” by 2024. A concept car is coming as early as September this year at the 2021 Frankfurt Motor Show, provided the event takes place considering the coronavirus pandemic is still causing disruptions.

Source: Manager Magazin via t3n

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