SHARP Drives: Climbing a Volcano in Audi’s New, All-Electric A6 e-tron

Rod Cleaver December 13, 2024

We’re on the island of Tenerife, driving the new 2026 Audi A6 Sportback e-tron along a road that leads up to the EL Teide Volcano National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site centred around the highest mountain in Spain. The volcanic peak rises 3,718 metres above the Atlantic Ocean that surrounds it in all directions. Despite the craggy lunar-like landscape, the serpentine pavement we travel on is pristine. Between the high-tech Audi and the sci-fi landscape, it’s as if we’ve been transported into the future.

We’re on a quest (in the present) to see what the new all-electric Audi A6 e-tron has to offer. It’s been a long time coming. The A6 is the first sedan/sportback built on the versatile new PPE platform, designed for electrical propulsion. As you’d hope from a new platform and a next-gen EV, there’s a lot to parse and a lot for drivers to get excited about.

First, the basics: the A6 e-tron and the hot S6 models both come with an 100 kWh battery and varying sized drive motors depending on the configuration. At the time of writing, it’s not clear which models will come to Canada, but there are plenty of options. The rear-drive A6 gets a 282 horsepower motor, while the quattro all-wheel drive model offers a mighty 422 hp or 456 with Launch Control engaged. The range-topping S6 e-tron quattro reigns supreme with a 496 hp motor, or 543 with Launch Control, which gives it a sizzling 0-100 km/h time of less than four seconds. Spicy stuff, especially considering this isn’t even a full-fat Audi Sport “RS” model.

Meet Audi’s Next-Gen Electric Car

We mention all this because the fact the new A6 e-tron carries an electrical drivetrain is not readily apparent. Instead of adopting the scarlet letter approach to “green” transportation — designing something that looks like an EV — Audi created a stunning model that reflects the avant-garde Audi design ethos. In other words, it’s an Audi first and an EV second. The addition of a black contrasting side insert embossed with the e-tron name is one of the few visual clues as to its power source. The panel sits under the doors, between the wheels, seemingly drawing attention to the floor-mounted battery.

Contrast is a common thread throughout the A6 design. Up front, designers have reversed the typical grille arrangement. Without the need for airflow to cool a liquid-filled radiator, Audi has opted for a solid panel grille cover in body matching paint with a blackout frame surround and active lower air intake ducts.

The sleek exterior design has resulted in a drag coefficient of .21cd, which means this Audi slices through the air nearly as cleanly as a blade. One of Audi’s engineers pointed out why that aerodynamic drag is three times more detrimental to EV efficiency than with a combustion powered vehicle. Design, therefore, is more important than ever before.

Tell Me About Driving Range and Charging

Audi claims 756 kilometres of driving range for the A6, and 675 kilometres for the S6 in the (admittedly rather optimistic) European WLTP test cycle. Engineers stressed the improvements in the vehicles regeneration cycle, combined with the aero enhancements, result in the impressive number, but how far it’ll go in the real world remains to be seen.

What is clear, however, is that it’ll recharge quickly when plugged in to a suitable charging station. With 800 volt on-board electrical architecture and a maximum DC charge rate of 270 kW — yes, EV geeks care about this stuff — the battery can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes, and can add 310 km of range in only 10 minutes.

Enough Numbers, What’s The New Audi A6 e-tron Like?

A wrap around dash design flows from one front door to the other, across a sweeping vista of LCD screens. The 11.9 inch virtual cockpit behind the steering wheel runs seamlessly into a 14.5 inch touchscreen panel for the MMI infotainment system. An optional third screen facing the front seat passenger creates a glass landscape Audi calls its “digital stage.” There’s certainly more screen real-estate here than in some living rooms.

The latest onboard digital operating system includes the brand’s new heads-up display technology. Visual directional prompts appear in the windshield as an overlay in your field of vision. When a turn is indicated at an upcoming intersection, the direction arrow rolls to the direction of the turn and moves closer to you as you progress toward the navigation point. If you miss the turn, you visually drive through the direction indicator. At first, the virtual reality layout took some getting used to. However, after using the system for an afternoon and adapting to the design, other navigation systems seem antiquated in comparison.

A clever new panoramic smart-glass roof fills the cabin with light, although it can darken sections or all of the glass panel as needed. With all the glass and screens, it feels very futuristic in here.

In a nod towards sustainability, Audi is offering a leather-free interior in the A6. A choice of fabrics are available for anyone with objections to animal harm.

Our journey to the volcano started at sea-level in the principal city of Santa Cruz, before climbing the narrow and meandering roads that clung to the sides of volcanic cliffs. The immediate power delivery of the Audi electrical powertrain, low centre of gravity, adaptive air suspension and precise steering made short work of the run up to EL Teide. The heft normally associated with electric vehicles has been tamed with the use of the electronically controlled suspension, so it feels perfectly lithe and agile in everyday driving situations.

Later, sitting shotgun, the new front passenger touchscreen became my playground. As it shields itself from the driver once the vehicle is in motion I was free to adjust various settings on the feature-packed sedan. Of note is the Sound Actuator that brings the sound of an internal combustion engine to anyone who misses the noise of hydrocarbons being burned (or anyone who simply needs a break from the vault-like silence of the A6).

Downsides? Well, it is with great sadness we must report the A6 Avant wagon — which is expected to the most popular A6 variant globally — will not be offered on our shores. Not only that, but drivers in Canada will have to wait a little while yet to get their hands on the A6 e-tron. It won’t be here until later in 2025, and prices have yet to be determined.

That said, Audi’s electric future is suddenly looking much brighter.