>> Rethinking the upper mid-size segment: the Audi A6 e-tron sets standards in design and range

-- Evocative design: seamless exterior and interior architecture tailored to the occupants in terms of design and ergonomics
-- Outstanding aerodynamics and a long range of over 750 kilometers
-- The best driving dynamics: adaptive air suspension enables a broad spread between excellent long-distance comfort and sporty driving dynamics

INGOLSTADT, July 31, 2024 – The Audi A6 e-tron concept debuted at the Auto Shanghai 2021 trade fair as the forerunner of an innovative family of all-electric volume models. Audi is now launching the A6 e-tron as a Sportback and Avant. As the second model on the PPE platform, the upper mid-size vehicle picks up on the familiar product strengths of performance, range, efficiency, and charging. It is also the platform’s first model with a flat floor concept. The exterior is powerful, sporty, and perfectly proportioned. Audi's new design philosophy defines the interior. Depending on the equipment level, the A6 e-tron offers many innovative features, such as second-generation virtual exterior mirrors, a panoramic glass roof that becomes opaque at the touch of a button and illuminated rings at the rear. The A6 e-tron and S6 e-tron can be ordered from September 2024 as Sportback and Avant versions. Prices start at 75,600 euros for the A6 Sportback e-tron performance and 99,500 euros for the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron.

The exterior: elegant and progressive
The Audi A6 e-tron features a clean design emphasizing dynamism, progressiveness, and elegance. The harmonious front, slim daytime running lights, and wide grille create a flat, wide appearance. A black mask surrounds the closed single frame, integrating headlights, ADAS sensors, and air intakes.

The dynamic roofline sits on a low, powerful foundation with quattro blisters highlighting the drive. A black sill insert emphasizes the battery and extends to the rear, giving a stretched look. The rear combines sporty elegance with a light strip, spoiler lip, and diffuser.

Standard 19-inch wheels, with options up to 21 inches, and up to eight exterior colors, including exclusive ones for S line and S models, enhance its powerful design.

Best in class: outstanding aerodynamics
Audi's success in aerodynamics stems from a rich history, highlighted by the Audi 100 (C3) and Audi 80 (B3). The third-generation Audi 100, with a cw value of 0.30, was dubbed the "aerodynamics world champion." Today, the Audi A6 e-tron continues this legacy with a cw value of 0.21 for the Sportback, making it Audi's most aerodynamic vehicle and the best in the VW Group. The Avant achieves a cw value of 0.24, among the best in its segment.

The front features air curtains to optimize airflow, while a slim greenhouse and sloping roofline enhance aerodynamics. The controllable cool-air intake and optimized underbody components, including wheel trims and 3D bumps, contribute to minimal air resistance. A wide, aerodynamically optimized diffuser balances lift and cw value, with the Avant adding an extra spoiler.

Aero-optimized wheels, such as the 21’’ aero wheel with plastic covers, and second-generation virtual exterior mirrors further enhance aerodynamics. These mirrors have flow-optimized cameras, reducing the vehicle's front area and drag coefficient.

Innovative lighting technology
The Audi A6 e-tron highlights Audi’s leadership in lighting design with advanced technology integrated into both headlights and rear lights. The car features digital light signatures that blend physical and digital elements.

At the front, optional digital daytime running lights with LED technology and second-generation digital OLED rear lights are available. The rear lights, with around 45 segments per panel, act as a display for car-to-x communication, enhancing safety. The second-generation OLED lights use ten panels with 450 segments, creating dynamic light patterns that evolve several times per second.

The new lighting technology offers a vivid, intelligent appearance. The front lights have twelve dimmable segments, while the rear uses all OLED segments for a consistent light signature. These lights also feature car-to-x communication for improved safety, including new proximity and warning functions.

Customization is a key feature, with eight digital light signatures for personalization and equipment-dependent illumination of the Audi rings at the rear, emphasizing the brand’s identity.

Audi MMI panoramic display and digital exterior mirrors
The Audi A6 e-tron interior focuses on user needs with a three-dimensional design for optimal ergonomics. It features a digital stage with an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit, a 14.5-inch MMI touch display, and a 10.9-inch front passenger display. Active Privacy Mode allows the passenger to enjoy content without distracting the driver, and the optional second-generation augmented reality head-up display projects information onto the windshield.

The interior combines comfort and design, with a “soft wrap” panel and high-quality materials differentiating functional and comfort areas. Slim air vents and optional virtual exterior mirrors enhance clarity and integration. A central control panel manages essential functions, and an optional four-zone air conditioning system adds to the elegant ambiance.

A smart panoramic glass roof with switchable transparency
An optional panoramic glass roof enhances the vehicle with smart glass that can switch between transparent and opaque at the touch of a button using PDLC (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal) technology. Electrically switchable components with PDLC film elements control transparency. Without voltage, the glass is opaque, and with voltage, it becomes transparent. The roof can be controlled via a button with four preset options.

Infotainment - integrating the digital world of customers
The Audi A6 e-tron features an infotainment system with Android Automotive OS and over-the-air updates, keeping Audi connect services and the e-tron route planner current. The Audi Application Store, integrated into the MMI, offers apps like YouTube without needing a smartphone. The store includes apps for Music, Video, Gaming, Navigation, Parking, Charging, Productivity, Weather, and News, with content expanding regionally.

The system improves interaction with enhanced touch controls and voice commands. The Audi assistant, powered by ChatGPT via Microsoft Azure, can handle vehicle functions and provide information in natural language. Data security is prioritized, with all queries deleted post-processing and no access to vehicle data.

For audio, the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System features 20 speakers, including headrest loudspeakers for personal surround sound, navigation, and phone calls. The dynamic interaction light, spanning the interior, enhances communication functions and overall ambiance.

Impressive range and charging performance
The Audi A6 e-tron features powerful electric motors and a 100 kWh lithium-ion battery, offering ranges of over 750 km for the Sportback and 720 km for the Avant. The A6 e-tron performance reaches 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h. The S6 e-tron accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h and a range of over 670 km (Sportback) and 640 km (Avant).

The A6 e-tron supports 800-volt technology with a 270 kW DC charging capacity, allowing a range of up to 310 km in 10 minutes and 10-80% charge in 21 minutes. It also features a regenerative braking system with up to 220 kW recovery and an integrated Brake System (iBS) for efficient braking. Two-stage recuperation and a "B" driving mode offer adjustable braking and coasting options.

Precise driving dynamics, high comfort
The Audi A6 e-tron features a precisely tuned suspension for agile driving dynamics, with an optional adaptive air suspension offering a balance between comfort and sporty handling. This system adjusts ride height and enhances aerodynamics in efficiency mode to optimize range.

The Audi S6 e-tron has a rear-biased all-wheel drive with variable torque distribution, using differently sized tires on front and rear axles to improve stability and sportiness.

Always ready to assist: the driver assistance systems
The Audi A6 e-tron features advanced driver assistance systems, including the new adaptive driving assistant plus, which helps with acceleration, braking, speed maintenance, and lane guidance. It uses high-resolution map data and cloud-based vehicle swarm data for improved driving comfort and safety. Standard features at launch include park assist plus, a reversing camera, traffic sign-based speed limiter, camera-based traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and distraction and drowsiness warnings.

Market launch and prices
The Audi A6 e-tron and S6 e-tron, in both Sportback and Avant variants, will be available for order starting September 2024. Prices begin at 75,600 euros for the A6 Sportback e-tron performance, 77,250 euros for the A6 Avant e-tron performance, 99,500 euros for the S6 Sportback e-tron, and 101,150 euros for the S6 Avant e-tron. Additional rear-wheel and quattro drive models will be introduced later, depending on the market.

The Facts about the New Audi A6 e-tron
1. Exterior Design and Aerodynamics
- Dynamic and elegant bodywork with slim daytime running lights and a wide grille.
- Continuous aluminum-look strip on the A6 Avant e-tron.
- Second-generation power-folding virtual exterior mirrors.
- Eight exterior colors available, including exclusives for S line and S models.
- Excellent aerodynamics: cw-value of 0.21 (Sportback) and 0.24 (Avant).

2. Lighting Technology
- Active digital light signature for headlights and rear lights.
- Eight digital light signatures and ten OLED panels in the rear lights.
- First European vehicle with illuminated rear rings (depending on configuration).
- Communication light with proximity detection and warning symbols.

3. Interior Design and Displays
- Three-dimensional applications creating a spacious and homely ambiance.
- MMI panoramic display with 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit and 14.5-inch MMI touch display.
- Optional 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display and augmented reality head-up display.
- New panoramic glass roof with switchable opacity.

4. Infotainment and Digital Services
- Integrated store for third-party apps and OTA software updates.
- ChatGPT integration for natural language interaction.
- Assistance systems include park assist plus, reversing camera, and adaptive speed assist.

5. Drive and Recuperation
- Two performance levels: 270 kW (rear-wheel drive) and 370 kW (quattro all-wheel drive).
- Top speeds: 210 km/h (A6) and 240 km/h (S6).
- Up to 220 kW regenerative braking and advanced brake blending.

6. Battery, Charging, and Intelligent Thermal Management
- 100 kWh gross capacity lithium-ion battery with 270 kW max charging power.
- 11 kW AC charging, with a 22 kW option planned.
- Advanced thermal management and efficient bank charging at 400-volt stations.

7. Chassis and Steering
- Sporty and dynamic suspension with an optional adaptive air suspension.
- Rear-biased all-wheel drive for the S6 e-tron and optimized tire dimensions.

8. Market Launch and Prices
- Available to order from September 2024.
- Starting prices: 75,600 euros (A6 Sportback e-tron), 77,250 euros (A6 Avant e-tron), 99,500 euros (S6 Sportback e-tron), and 101,150 euros (S6 Avant e-tron).

9. Production and Sustainability
- Net carbon-neutral production and use of recycled materials.
- Advanced production technology and aluminum components for weight savings.

U.S. Market Specific Information:
The U.S. will offer (with Key Specs):
1. A6 e-tron (RWD) Sportback
- Power: 270 kW (362 hp)
- 0-60 mph: Approx. 5.2 secs
- Top Speed: 210 km/h (130 mph)
- Range: EPA range to be announced; drag coefficient: 0.21 Cd
- Battery: 100 kWh; 9.6 kW AC charging; 270 kW DC fast charging (10-80% in 21 mins)
- Colors: Magnetic gray, Glacier white, Mythos black, Plasma blue, Malpelo blue, Typhoon gray
- Lighting: Up to eight customizable light signatures; some features may not be available in the U.S.

2. A6 e-tron quattro Sportback
- Power: 315 kW (422 hp)
- 0-60 mph: Approx. 4.3 secs
- Top Speed: 210 km/h (130 mph)
- Range: EPA range to be announced; drag coefficient: 0.21 Cd
- Battery: 100 kWh; 9.6 kW AC charging; 270 kW DC fast charging (10-80% in 21 mins)
- Colors: Same as A6 e-tron (RWD) Sportback
- Lighting: Up to eight customizable light signatures; some features may not be available in the U.S.

3. S6 e-tron Sportback
- Power: 370 kW (496 hp), 405 kW (543 hp) with launch control
- 0-60 mph: Approx. 3.7 secs (with launch control)
- Top Speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
- Range: EPA range to be announced; drag coefficient: 0.21 Cd
- Battery: 100 kWh; 9.6 kW AC charging; 270 kW DC fast charging (10-80% in 21 mins)
- Colors: Siam beige, Daytona gray, same as A6 e-tron (RWD) Sportback except for Typhoon gray,
- Lighting: Up to eight customizable light signatures; some features may not be available in the U.S.

Details may differ from the global release. Final specifications will be available closer to the U.S. on-sale date.

SOURCE: AUDI USA MEDIA

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