Sedans are dead, or so we were told. And yet, as true as that is for traditional gas cars, EVs are flipping the script. The new Audi A6 Sportback e-tron is the brand’s newest EV, and it’s a handsome thing. We’ve gotten a little sneak peek, and what we’ve seen so far is good.
We weren’t supposed to see this just yet. However, leaks happen. CocheSpias and one Mike Juergens were kind enough to share it on Twitter. From the drop, it looks just how you’d expect. It’s a smooth four-door liftback with a shrouded grille, reminding you this is very much an electric vehicle. Perhaps the biggest outright surprise is that Audi’s photos show it off in a kind of Supersonic Band-Aid color.
Opinions on beige aside, it’s a car with some polarizing features. The overall proportions are clean enough, but the details elevate it to something greater. The sideskirt treatment, rear lighting design, and bold red badging all do their part. As do the slimline camera-mirrors. You’ll either love the sportier touches, or find the detailing overwhelming rather than impressive. But enough about aesthetics—what about the rest?
The Sportback will also be joined by the Avant wagon version—of which no images are yet available. No conventional sedan (with a trunk) will be offered. Yes, Europe is keeping the wagon dream alive, even as America turns ever more towards the SUV. Rumor has it a wilder RS6 Avant e-Tron may also be in the works as a tribute to the legendary combustion-powered models of years past.
Since it’s a leak, we don’t have full specs yet. But the leak tells us that energy consumption is expected to be around 3.90 to 4.43 mi/kWh. For a reasonably sized battery around 100 kWh or so, you’d expect the A6 e-tron to easily do over 300 miles on a single charge. (I mean, technically with those specs it should do over 400, but we’ll see the EPA ratings when they drop later).
Audi have previously confirmed the sleeker, more aerodynamic A6 will deliver longer range than the Q6 e-tron, which is EPA rated for 307 miles of range. The leaked press release confirms the model has a devastatingly slippery drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.21, while the Avant achieves 0.24. This was achieved after running over 1,300 simulations and countless hours in the wind tunnel. A neat detail we learn is that tweaks to the sideskirts on the Avant version alone scored an extra 5 miles (8 km) of range.
The new electric A6 is based on Volkswagen’s Premium Platform Electric. It’s the same platform underpinning the Q6 e-tron and the EV Porsche Macan. It’s an 800V platform, which is a big aid to fast charging. As a guide, the Q6 is able to charge from 10-80% in just 21 minutes at rates of up to 270 kW. The A6 should achieve similar numbers.
Audi first previewed the model with a concept version in 2021, shown off in a more appealing silver shade. At that time, the concept was said to offer 470 hp from its dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup. No word on whether or not that’s confirmed for the production model—we’ll have to wait for the official launch tomorrow to find out. With the Q6 e-tron offering 456 horsepower, the A6 might be closer to that figure in reality.
We’ll have to wait for Audi’s full reveal for details on pricing and timing. In any case, the A6 e-tron is expected to reach customers sometime around late 2024 or early 2025. It marks a further step for Audi towards electrification, as the broader Volkswagen Group increasingly leaves combustion power behind.
Image credits: Audi
Autogeful has this on their Youtube channel now. It was a leak last night but this has been fully revealed today.
Can we just talk about how the sportback looks nearly identical to the Ford Fusion from a decade ago? I really don’t like Audi’s design direction and I’ve been an Audi fanboy for decades. I can’t see myself ever wanting one of these new EVs from them. Seems like the last desirable cars they are making are from 2024/25 model year.
The Fusion wasn’t this ugly.
It’s weird because graphically they’re not that close, but something about the way the fastback rear ‘sits’ heavily on a chunky bumper makes it feel proportionally very similar.
I’m not loving the large amount of black that Audi is doing on their front bumpers now. It really bothered me when I watched Doug’s latest video on the RS6 GT and it still looks out of place here.
This won’t complete with anything in the EV market because VAG hasn’t figured out anything about their power train or software stack. The top end A6 will get crushed by a midrange Lucid Air in both power/range along with the software as well. The chances of this getting more than 2 years of update is unlikely
Counterpoint: I’d rather not have over the air updates. In order to get them you have to consent to manufacturers harvesting every little tidbit of your data. Several of them have been caught selling that data to insurance companies, resulting in people getting hit with higher rates by surprise.
I genuinely don’t give a shit about updates. If I have to give Lucid or Audi or whoever unrestricted access to my data then I’m declining them every single time. If something needs to be updated I’ll either put it on a USB and do it myself or have the dealer do it during a routine service.
Especially annoying when you consider how little you are worth: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a61711288/automakers-sold-customer-data-for-small-profits/
Notice how it’s all traditional OEMs selling data that’s completely different from what I’m talking about? If those companies listed were able to develop software that wasn’t outsourced, they’d be able to make a secure and safe network architecture that only the user could access. However they outsource all their development and end up selling the data because it’s about as secure as Norton antivirus
I don’t see what outsourcing software has to do with it. They sell your data because you’re easy to monetize, because there are no government regulations to stop them.
I don’t know how to write this in a way where you can understand it from an industry perspective. If a company develops their own software, they will have to maintain that software by themselves, be responsible for that software throughout the entire lifecycle, and ultimately be responsible for whatever happens to that software. That means they cannot blame X contractor allowed the data to be sold or “oops we did it for a few dollars”. That article you posted regarding the data? I know a couple people who developed the navigation UI/hardware for Honda. They were contracted from an external engineering company who also do all the development for GM and Hyundai as well. Honda/GM/…etc have no control over what gets developed because they’re all using the same platform for development. That allows for a lot of flaws in terms of data security because they all share the same flaws. When these things happen, those companies can simply blame their contract company for allowing this to happen and they don’t have to do anything. Compare that with a company with a properly developed architecture where hundreds of validation tests are run everyday to make sure whatever gets released matches the original intent of the architecture.
Ok maybe here’s a better way of putting it. Boeing door/window flies off plane. Plane fuselage is actually developed by Spirit Aerosystems. Boeing puts all the blame on Spirit, and as a result Boeing doesn’t have to do anything until it happens so often that Boeing has to take responsibility. If Boeing were responsible for fuselage development in the very first place, the door wouldn’t have come off because Boeing had no one to blame except themselves.
There is still literally nothing to stop them from selling whatever data they gather to whoever will buy it, except for some bad PR for one news cycle if word gets out. Even if it is anonymized and the driving habits can’t be traced to one specific person, it can still be used to increase insurance rates for your make/model or who knows what else. Maybe they aren’t doing it now, but all it takes is a few bad quarters and some uncomfortable phone calls with shareholders. They all have the same responsibility to make money and if they can sell you for a buck, they will.
There is no data to sell if none of the data can be sold. That’s my point. It’s like you read nothing that I wrote and stuck with your original point.
I think there’s a business model in tinfoil hats for the cars built-in cell phone network transmitter
I don’t know how you managed to interpret my comment so inaccurately. Updates≠selling data. Notice how Lucid/Rivian/Polestar aren’t on the news for selling data but the traditional OEMs you know and love are doing it? It’s because Lucid and similar competitors develop their software and hardware to be watertight in terms of user security and also for upgrades. The software updates I’m talking about are updates to vehicle performance or user experiences. Imagine being able to get another 30 miles simply from a software update because motor control algorithms were improved or have another suspension mode available because engineers were able to develop a new damper setting. Anyways judging from your comment you weren’t going to buy this anyways or any EV and the couple hundred people buying EV Audis won’t buy another one either.
https://www.lucidinsider.com/2022/08/18/lucid-air-drivers-reporting-range-improves-after-ota-v1-2-10/
https://insideevs.com/news/652056/software-update-rivian-range-boost/
https://www.polestar-forum.com/threads/important-range-increase-with-1-9-update.5833/
Oh I’d consider leasing an EV if I were to suddenly need a new car. I absolutely wouldn’t buy one since the depreciation is so ridiculous and I don’t want to incinerate money. My main concerns with BEVs are the weight, charging at home (we have a driveway but our house is 100 years old with very few outlets and I don’t think getting a level 2 charger installed will be easy), and data.
And they may design the Lucid and Rivian to be airtight but that doesn’t mean they aren’t vulnerable to a cyber attack. We’ve seen a ton of them lately…and I’m not convinced that insurance companies will care where they’re getting the data from if it saves them money. I’m also not convinced that these companies won’t be willing to sell it based on principle. Everything has a price and they’re corporations.
Also Lucid is receiving a lot of their funding from Saudis and I’d rather not give a murderous regime my $700 a month or whatever….
Take this as someone who has worked closely with both of the companies you mentioned. It’s physically impossible to get data from either one of those cars in a way that is possible to track where the data came from. It’s completely anonymous. The only way to send any trackable data is from a physical connection at a service center or company tool. What you are talking about is completely different from “software architecture that can be upgraded”. Continuous updates also means the car is more resistant to depreciation.
Leave it to Audi to continue to find new ways to sell you gray cars. I don’t think there’s a manufacturer with a more dull color palette out there. Outside of the S and RS models you’ll get grayscale over black and you’ll like it. Maybe if you’re lucky you’ll find a beige or gray interior.
Anyway, I’m going to against the crowd here and say I think this looks pretty good. I’m actually liking Audi’s new sedan design language. We never got an article on them here but the new A5 and S5 look fantastic too. There’s a certain ruggedness to them that makes them look muscular but doesn’t throw them into the weird category like the Toyota Crown.
Audi’s current lineup is so under styled that you can barely tell their cars apart. I helped my mom shop for and eventually buy one last year and literally got lost on Audi lots looking for specific cars I’d seen listed online because they’re all so goddamn indistinguishable from one another. Their dealerships also order the exact same specs and it makes things even worse.
Everything is white, black, or gray over a black interior. I pity anyone in my area that has a white Audi crossover because there are 70 white Q whatevers in every single parking lot. I understand that there are people (why hello Angrycat Meowmeow!) who love Audi for how understated their cars are…but the luxury market isn’t about subtlety and Audi’s market share continues to dwindle. Eventually they were going to have to try some new things and I’m actually happy that they are.
https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g61740368/2025-audi-s6-e-tron-gallery/
https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/31/24210243/audi-launches-new-a6-and-s6-e-tron-sportback-evs
Other sites have better coverage and photos, not surprising since the general vibe around here is “VAG BAD!!!11!1!” and we didn’t even get a small mention of the B10. Although The Verge saying the S6’s 0-60 of 3.7s is “not far off” from the M3P at 2.9s should tell you everything you need to know about car news from The Verge.
The S6 looks better, especially in a color not reminiscent of hearing aids. If people would start ordering cars in one of the few colors they offer, instead of everyone trying to cosplay as batman or a stormtrooper, dealers might actually start ordering a red one or maybe even a blue one for the lot.
The wagon is so much better looking it’s absurd, but I’ll shit a brick if we get that in the states.
1). That blue is fantastic
2). ZOMG HATCH! HATCH! HATCHHHHHH!
I actually find the BMW i4 to be an appealing package but struggle to get past the fact that it was beaten with an ugly stick. Between this and the A5/S5 we’ve got some luxury hatches on the way and I couldn’t be more excited!
I’ve been screaming into the void about wanting a luxury hot hatch for years now. A fastback isn’t quite that, but it’s still mighty appealing and, most importantly, wife approved due to the practicality. I’m excited for the first reviews of the S5/S6 and will absolutely check them out…especially since I’m sure the lease deals on the EV will be excellent.
I’m guilty of being critical of VAG but my criticism of Audi comes from a place of love. I grew up around Audis and have been a little disappointed in their direction for a while now. But mannnn….the new A5, A6, and Q6 sure do look appealing, and they’re a breath of fresh air compared to what some of their competitors are doing styling wise…particularly BMW and Mercedes.
I’m getting more and more excited for the B10 as more details slip out. Originally it seemed it would be quattro ultra, but now it appears they’re sticking to Torsen for the S models, which is nice, and they’ve made many improvements to the 3.0T.
It also now comes with what’s marketed as a mild hybrid system but is actually closer to a full hybrid set up. It should now be much more efficient with some additional torque fill. On paper it looks like a real treat. We’ll see what people say when they actually drive them, and as always with Ze Germans I am concerned about the weight.
They seem completely convinced that they can engineer their way around massive curb weights but at the end of the day physics always wins. If the S5 is 4,500+ pounds I’ll be considerably less interested. Hell I wouldn’t even want an RS6 Avant because of how freaking heavy it is. There’s no reason for that car to weigh 5,000 pounds…
TBH if it’s gonna be that heavy anyway, I’d love to see it as a PHEV. 350HP turbo 6, 30 miles of electric range and a hatch, I’d be sold. Especially since they finally figured out how to get diamond stitched sport seats and ventilation to coexist.
I’m finding it hard to get excited, since they’ll never sell the sedan over here, much less the wagon. I suppose for purely hypothetical values of interest, yay for another EV that isn’t a stupid crossover? Boo that’s it’s going to be over-teched, over-priced and over there.
I like the side view, but that’s about it. Too much black on the front. Like a weird Joker smile or something.
Plus, I think light up logos are the tackiest thing in car design. That would be an immediate no for me.
It looks like a Kia.
Yes, but not executed as well…
Aww shit, I said Hyundai instead, but seriously WTF.
TIQUE
I’d like to present my specially written Audi zen koan; Is it still a grille, when it doesn’t function as a grille?
The function of the grille is to stop rocks and birds and your hands touching or damaging the delicate parts behind the grille. So a solid grille is, if anything, more grilley.
It looks way worse than the Lucid, and despite the Tesla being 10 years old, looks worse than that too.
I came here to say just that! The Model S has been around forever and looks miles better and more modern than this
Way too much visual mass in the middle. From the side the wraparound portion of the taillights look like they’re from an altima. Not digging the sideblade extending into the rear quarter.
Audi designs are getting too fussy. I feel like they’re headed in the direction Lexus was many years ago, where everyone made fun of them for making handsome, but a bit boring looking cars, so now they’re doing the same thing Lexus did. Everything has to be a weird jagged line with things unnecessarily extending into other things, a massive ugly grille…etc. I want my clean, coherent Audi designs back.
I think the problem with luxury EV’s going forward is that they are largely a slave to aerodynamics. They all end up looking like a bar of soap with a tiny bit of surface detailing.
With an ICE luxury car, you can make it a rolling brick with a huge vertical grill and enormous wheels or whatever else you can imagine. Just stick a big engine and a big fuel tank in there.
This is pretty much every car now. They’re all constrained by crash/pedestrian impact standards, aero, packaging etc. I’ve had about enough of the “this sedan has the same general shape of the other sedan!” comments. Regardless, the piano black front bumper is trash and there’s too much chonk in the midsection.
I bet Adrian could fix this thing in photoshop and have it looking awesome.
That thing is fugly. What happened to Audis designs?
Piano Black plastic was discounted, so in addition to interior parts, Audi used it on the exterior.
“ and countless hours in the wind tunnel.”
Every one of those hours will have been planned in advance and charged to the correct project. Very much counted. Counted by accountants even.
Unless “countless” now means “someone else counted and didn’t tell us”.
Spent all their design budget on aero, forgot about the whole aesthetics part of it.
They couldn’t find an efficient way of measuring good looks so it’s no longer a target.
The german brands can’t seem to be able to make a well-proportioned EV (apart from the Taycan). Fat and flaccid, you can tell there’s a massive battery in its belly. And that’s before we get to the crass baroque detailing, confused graphics and shutlines. Just look at that rear badge intersecting the rear light awkwardly (not even in the middle) when there was clearly enough space for it on the lip above, why? Why disrespect your badge like that? You can tell from a lot of these products now how confused and panicked those boardroom meetings must have been.
They’d rather make a hideous product that preserves all the current fad styling cues and brand identity, than to give us a slippery and possibly beautiful streamliner with a Cd value around 0.15.
If they want to compete with Tesla and Lucid, they have to offer something that Tesla and Lucid aren’t. Low hanging fruit has once again been ignored.
Said it better than I could. This new rear badge design has been irking me, but I couldn’t express why.
The skirts look like the add ons for a mobility van.
Will it have a proper interior, or just screens?
No real mirrors, so that’s at least two more screens than you want.
This was exactly what I thought. It looks like those lifted Sienna’s modified for wheelchairs.
The only thing anyone is going to be fighting Lucid for is who can go out of business faster than Polestar.
Kinda looks Chinese, like a Changan or Chery. Overall a pretty lackluster usage of dark ‘cladding’ zones which I’m sure were intended to reduce visual bulk but end up drawing the eye lower resulting in the car looking extremely chonky and nothing like the ‘thin’ Audi sedans of before. Most other EV sedans hide their battery bulk way better than this.
Yep, the black trim is supposed to be at the bottom to hide mass, not in the middle to stretch it out. They didn’t understand the assignment.
The badge is cool, but from certain angles (see picture 3) it sticks out a bit too far for my taste.
The close up of the grill… I can’t unsee Mr. Four Eyes with a goofy grin.
Audi Designs an Electric Honda Accord, Details at Eleven!
I only wish Honda would offer a liftback (or wagon) Accord again.
Weirdly looks more like a Kia these days than Audi.
Even that aside, why does Audi keep making these huge fake grilles in their EVs? We’re not afraid that we won’t understand how car go just because it doesn’t have a grille; get rid of it, already
Not to mention the 7 Series headlamps. When are we just going to have honest headlamps again? The knowing-public is done with Squint-Eastwood faux-lamps.
Audi, the official mouth safety car of the NHL.
Be interesting to see how this compares to the similarly named ioniq 6, with similar 800v architecture and similar 0.21 Cd.
The massive neckbeard on the front is certainly a design choice.
Yeah, as is the massive gash on each side above the rocker panels. Yikes.
0.21 is “devastatingly slippery”? That’s just now caught up with the state of the art from 90 years ago that was getting similar figures, without CAD modeling.
And the current Model S PLAID has it beat by about 4%.