New Audi A6 and S6 e-tron Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info

After a period of seemingly sitting on its hands Audi is back on the attack with a range of new models, this newly electrified generation of its A6 saloon and estate among them. Built on new electric architecture developed in partnership with Porsche, the A6 Sportback e-tron and its Avant equivalent put particular focus on aerodynamics for improved efficiency and range, something those with longer memories will recall Audi using as a selling point for its cars as far back as the 1980s. For those not won over by the craze for SUVs the estate Avant version looks especially attractive as fast, discreet and luxurious family transport.
• Audi is clearly making a decisive push to reclaim its premium position, the A6 e-tron joining the Q6 e-tron it shares tech with in a fresh attack on Mercedes, BMW and others • Super slippery aerodynamics make the A6 Sportback e-tron and Avant more efficient than SUV equivalents to improve range while latest battery tech means fast charging when you do eventually need to stop • A6 Sportback e-tron does an official 463 miles for the saloon and 438 miles for the Avant estate, against 392 miles for the related Q6 SUV with the same battery and motor combo • High-performance S6 versions have twin motors and pace to go chasing the equivalent M60 version of the BMW i5 but range suffers as a result • First deliveries of the new A6 and S6 will start in February 2025 • Prices start at £69,900 for the single motor A6 Sportback e-tron, rising to a burly £97,500 for the fully loaded Edition 1 version of the S6; Avant estate versions cost £1,800 more like-for-like

Slightly taller and more practical than the existing (and recently updated) e-tron GT, the A6 e-tron is a traditional executive saloon reimagined for the electric age. Like the Mercedes EQE and Hyundai Ioniq 6 the new A6 e-tron puts a sleeker twist on the traditional ‘three-box’ saloon shape in the name of aerodynamic efficiency, this significantly improving the distance you’ll go on a charge compared with taller, SUV style alternatives like the related Q6. The Avant, meanwhile, does the same with the estate roofline for extra practicality. Both will be available in two versions, comprising regular A6 e-tron with a 380 horsepower single-motor set-up and faster twin-motor S6 with 550 horsepower. Trim goes from Sport to S line to Edition 1, the S6 available exclusively in its own upgraded twist on the Edition 1 package.

Audi prides itself on its interiors and its tech, the two combining in impressive style with a huge sweep of paired screens running across from the instrument cluster to the central display. Still not enough screen time? You can also spec a third one for the passenger to run their own infotainment if needs be! All are powered by Audi’s version of the proven Android Automotive operating system behind an increasing number of manufacturer infotainment systems, albeit with a fully integrated graphics package and interface. Top view cameras are among the standard features, S line adding sports seats among the upgrades. Interestingly Audi is embracing the idea of subscription-based tech, fancier ‘Matrix LED’ functionality for the headlights among the extras you can pay for via the Audi Functions on Demand feature.

A big, powerful electric car needs a big, powerful battery and both the A6 and S6 use the same whopping 100kWh pack built into the floorpan. That and the slippery aerodynamics mean well over 400 miles to a charge for the A6 and A6 Avant, equating to around another 50 miles over the less efficient Q6 SUV e-tron built on the same tech. The S6 trades performance for range but can still do 405 miles in Sportback trim and 388 miles for the S6 Avant. Charge speeds are equally impressive, the 800-Volt system sucking in the power at up to 270kW if you can find a public charger powerful enough.

Orders for the A6 and S6 are open now, with pricing starting just shy of £70,000 for the entry level A6 Sportback and nudging £100,000 for the S6 Avant. UK customers will be getting their cars from February of 2025.

It’s busy times at Audi, the new A5 replacing the previous A4 while the new Q5 enters the competitive mid-size crossover sector. If you like the idea of an electric Audi but don’t dig the swoopy Sportback or Avant styling the related Q6 SUV e-tron and Sportback are built on the same tech but with taller, more assertive looks.

Audi’s key rival here is the BMW i5 in its saloon and Touring versions, the A6 and S6 looking very competitive by the numbers. The A6 e-tron meanwhile bridges the gap between posher versions of cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Tesla Model 3 or BYD Seal and more premium alternatives like the Porsche Taycan and Lotus Emeya. Expect the competition to hot up in this sector as more players arrive on the scene, too.