Over the years, the focus of car news outlets has shifted from discussing "Tesla killers" to "Tesla fighters," indicating the progress made by German automakers in the electric vehicle realm.
In line with other German carmakers, Audi has set a goal to transition its entire vehicle lineup to electric by 2033. The company has already taken initial steps in the electric car revolution with models like the recently facelifted e-tron SUV, the Porsche Taycan-based e-tron GT, and compact SUVs like the Q4 e-tron.
The Ingolstadt carmaker is not stopping there, though, planning to unveil at least ten new electric models in the next few years.
I've already mentioned the upcoming Audi Q6 e-tron electric SUV, a technical twin of the belated Porsche Macan EV. Now it's time to check out the 2025 A6 e-tron, Audi's first-ever electric sedan.
Set to be unveiled either at the end of 2023 or early 2024, the Audi A6 e-tron will share its underpinnings with the two SUVs mentioned above and a bunch of other larger electric Audis currently in the pipeline.
To support this electric onslaught, Audi is developing its own modular EV platform in collaboration with Porsche, called PPE (Premium Platform Electric).
Previewed technically and stylistically by the Audi A6 e-tron Sportback concept from 2021, the all-electric sedan will be part of a vast EV family that should eventually replace the entire ICE-powered range.
Premium Platform Electric in a Nutshell
PPE is a highly versatile 800-volt EV architecture that will underpin various Audi and Porsche models, but it will also be used by Bentley and possibly even Lamborghini by 2030.
Initially, Audi models based on the PPE architecture will be part of the compact segment and will later expand to the large and full-size segments. The production models are set to be unveiled successively starting at the end of 2023, with sales commencing in 2024.
The PPE architecture will accommodate many vehicles, including SUVs, CUVs, and cars with different ride heights or wheelbases.
That means the platform will cater to Audi's core product range, such as the Audi A6 series, and allow expansion into the high-volume compact and luxury segments.
This flexible spread will also benefit from economies of scale, enabling Audi to include luxury features on lesser models without breaking the bank.
The modularity of its skateboard structure allows a track width that can vary between 64.6 and 67.4 in (1641 – 1714 mm), a wheelbase that can range from 113.8 to 121.2 in (2890 – 3080 mm), and even a ground clearance that can extend from 5.9 to 8.5 in (152 – 217 mm).
Polished Design Language
Photo: Audi
The production version of the A6 e-tron, following its conceptual debut in 2021, is anticipated to be unveiled in late 2023 or early 2024. The model will feature a significantly redesigned exterior, departing from the traditional A6 design language. In fact, from some perspectives, it will look more like the electric version of an A7 because of the liftback design at the rear.
The only traditional Audi design feature will be the enlarged Singleframe grille, which will be closed off for every car built on the PPE architecture. The enclosed grille is also one of the reasons behind the model's low drag coefficient, which was only 0.22 on the concept car.
The A6 e-tron concept showcased at the 2021 Auto Shanghai motor show provided a glimpse of Audi's upcoming EV sedan but also the carmaker's future design language.
Jumping on the same bandwagon as BMW, Audi is expected to keep a version of the dual-headlight front end on the production version while the rear end will have a similar single taillight design as the concept.
That said, the concept car's sleek proportions and low-slung roofline should be less evident on next year's model, mainly because it needs to offer sufficient interior space for passengers and luggage.
Speaking of luggage, the 2025 Audi A6 e-tron is expected to have a reasonably sized frunk as well, unlike its two direct rivals, the BMW i5, and Mercedes-Benz EQE.
Typically, a vast sea of high-definition touchscreens comprise most of the interior of a modern German car, but the A6 e-tron concept car featured a more minimalistic approach, which should trickle into the production version as well.
Progress Through Technology
Photo: Audi
Like Volkswagen's MEB platform, used for less expensive models, Audi's PPE architecture will have single-motor, RWD, and dual-motor AWD versions. Depending on the chosen drive system and model variant, the A6 e-tron should achieve a range of over 435 miles (700 kilometers) based on the WLTP standard).
These figures are likely only possible on the model's single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version, alongside the biggest battery available, which offers around 100 kWh of usable energy.
The lithium-ion battery features an 800-volt electrical architecture, allowing ultra-fast DC charging up to 270kW.
According to Audi, using the fastest DC rapid charger available, the A6 e-tron Concept's battery pack can charge from 5 to 80 percent capacity in approximately 25 minutes. A 10-minute charge on the same charger can add 186 miles (300 km) of range so you can expect similar numbers from the production version.
Additionally, the more powerful versions of the A6 e-tron family will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in less than four seconds. Tentatively named S6 and RS6 e-tron versions are also in the works, with at least one expected to feature the same powertrain as the dual-motor RS e-tron GT, which delivers no less than 636 HP (646 PS).
Audi is being tight-lipped about this, but the RS version of the liftback sedan (and the Avant) might even feature a tri-motor setup for better torque vectoring characteristics, not to mention over 800 horsepower.
Quo Vadis, Internal Combustion Engines?
Photo: Audi
Audi's strategy for the upcoming decade is to unveil an electric counterpart to every ICE-powered model in the current lineup. The end game is to replace the entire ICE lineup with BEVs, but this cannot be possible in such a short timeframe, which is why both the A6 and the A6 e-tron will co-exist for a while.
The carmaker will name all its upcoming electric SUVs with the letter Q, followed by an even number and the recognizable 'e-tron' particle. At the same time, sedans and station wagons will get the letter A, S, or RS in front of a similarly even number.
That is why the e-tron SUV was renamed the Q8 e-tron starting in 2023, while the coupe-SUV version is now called the Q8 Sportback e-tron.
As per this naming convention, the 2025 Audi A6 e-tron serves as the all-electric counterpart to the ICE-powered A6, and it will be accompanied by an A4 e-tron and an A8 e-tron in the next couple of years. Will they be enough to dethrone Tesla regarding sales?
Alex handled his first real steering wheel at the age of five (on a field) and started practicing "Scandinavian Flicks" at 14 (on non-public gravel roads). Following his time at the University of Journalism, he landed his first real job at the local franchise of Top Gear magazine a few years before Mircea (Panait). Not long after, Alex entered the New Media realm with the autoevolution.com project. Full profile
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