New Audi A6 Avant E-Tron: Everything We Know About The Electrifying Wagon

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Audi and wagons have always gone hand in hand, combining practicality and well-designed aesthetics with all-wheel drive capabilities to outperform the competition. However, with the ongoing shift towards electrification and the increasing popularity of crossovers, there has been growing uncertainty about the future of the wagon body style in a post-internal combustion era.

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Fortunately, it appears that electric wagons are a reliable choice, as an A6 Avant e-tron (and its sedan counterpart) is in advanced stages of development. This addition complements the A6 ICE-powered lineup, which will now be – somewhat confusingly – referred to as the A7.

You see, Audi is transitioning to a new naming scheme, where electric models will have even numbers (A4, A6, Q4, Q6, etc.), while successors to existing ICE models will adopt odd numbers (A3, A5, A7, etc.). Setting aside this nomenclature shift, let’s delve into what we currently know about this electrified wagon.

Style To Stun

Illustrations Josh Byrnes / Carscoops

Almost a dead ringer of the A6 Avant e-tron Concept, the transition into production differs from that of other concept cars that get diluted into production oblivion. So, what are the key design highlights? Starting at the business end, Audi’s signature ‘Singleframe’ grille becomes an enclosed panel, flanked by a pair of angular battery cooling intakes and split digital matrix LED headlights with their main units positioned low and the DRLs above.

The dynamic side profile retains those smooth transitions between convex and concave surfaces, with a heavily raked D-pillar making it look more hatch than a wagon. Unfortunately, the windows have lost their frameless appearance, and the digital door mirrors are likely an option rather than a standard fit. Muscular haunches, rear diffuser outlets, and a full-width OLED light cluster help cement an overall planted stance.

The Inside Line

Roughly the same size as the current A6/A7 lineup, the A6 e-tron Avant sports a spacious five-seat interior with a flat floor. Expect the cabin design to closely mirror its Q6 e-tron platform sibling pictured above. It offers a high-class environment with a curved OLED 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch infotainment system, and a 10.9-inch front passenger display running wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Augmented reality (AR) head-up display (HUD) and dynamic ambient lighting will also feature.

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The A6 e-tron will employ VW Group’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture that underpins the soon-to-be revealed Porsche Macan EV. An 800-volt architecture and 100 kWh battery pack good for a WLTP range of 435 miles (700 km) will enable rapid DC fast charging up to 270kW to put any range uncertainties to rest. Adaptive damping and air suspension are also on the cards to ensure a smooth ride.

Rapid Hauling

Spy photos of Audi A6 Avant E-Tron prototypes

A variety of different motor options will be available; these include a base single motor variant and a mid-spec dual motor setup developing 469 hp (350 kW / 476 PS) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm), good for a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than four seconds.

If that’s too slow and you’re keen on a game of organ rearrangement, a top-tier RS6 e-tron with a rumored 805 hp (600 kW / 816 PS) is also a strong shoo-in. The base specification model will likely be a rear-drive affair, while the mid-spec and RS6 models will put their power to the tarmac via Quattro all-wheel-drive.

Rivals and Reveal

Wagons with full battery-electric propulsion are a rare breed – something we all hope will change soon. Audi’s primary rival is BMW’s upcoming i5 Touring, whilst Mercedes-Benz has gone cold feet on EV wagons and only offers the EQE as a sedan, at least for now.

We anticipate the unveiling of the A6 e-tron Avant to take place in the coming months. While there have been conflicting reports on whether the electric estate will be available in North America, Audi officials have hinted that we could get versions “positioned a little bit higher”, pointing to the possibility of an Allroad version, a more performance-oriented RS variant, or perhaps even both.

Would you consider the electrified A6 e-tron over its internal combustion-powered equivalent? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.