What is it?

Audi is now going full-bore into the electric world and this car - the new A6 e-tron - follows on from a suite of new battery-powered models. While SUVs have been in vogue for the electric car segment for some time, the arrival of this car showcases a move into the traditional executive saloon portion of the market, one which is already occupied by cars like the Mercedes EQE and BMW i5.

So can this new electric Audi deliver? We’ve been finding out.

What’s new?

While the A6 is a recognisable one, this is an altogether brand-new car. It’s underpinned by the same PPE platform that you’ll find on the new Q6 e-tron, in fact, bringing with it the very latest technology and the capacity for some very large batteries indeed.

The A6 name also reflects a radical change in Audi’s strategy; the even-numbered cars in its range are now solely battery-powered, whereas the odd ones will be powered by petrol and diesel engines instead.

What’s under the bonnet?

In a switch from tradition, the A6 is now rear-wheel-drive. Entry-level cars get a 322bhp electric motor, while more potent Performance models have this boosted to 375bhp. Switch to a quattro version - which adds all-wheel-drive, as you might expect - and power increases to an impresses 456bhp.

Entry-level cars have an 83kWh battery powering the whole affair, while Performance and quattro versions utilise a larger 100kWh battery instead. In terms of range, Audi claims up to 383 miles for the entry-level Sportback, 463 miles for the Performance and up to 438 miles for the quattro.

What’s it like to drive?

We’re behind the wheel of the Performance model and with it, there’s more than enough acceleration to keep things interesting while the steering has a good amount of weight to it, giving the whole car an assured, confident feel through the bends. The whole car is taut and agile, so it’s good fun to take around sharp corners.

But likewise, it’s good when cruising, too. On air suspension, the A6 manages to shrug off the worst of the lumps and bumps while wind and road noise are well-contained and not too noticeable.

How does it look?

It’s an altogether more aerodynamic affair when it comes to the A6’s styling. In fact, the A6 has become the most aerodynamic car that Audi has ever produced, which helps it to make the very most of its energy and cut through the air as effectively as possible. You can even have optional digital door mirrors which help the boost a touch, increasing it by four miles.

The sloping roofline of the Sportback gives the A6 a semi-coupe feeling while the smoothed-off grille and split headlights contribute to an overall futuristic-looking vehicle.

What’s it like inside?

Since it’s on the same platform it’ll come as no surprise that the new A6 is very close in terms of design and features to the Q6 e-tron. The forward part of the cabin is dominated by a large screen which is sharp and easy to navigate, even though the A6 lacks any real physical controls. There’s a full-length panoramic sunroof, too, and you can block out individual segments of it at the push of a button.

There are good materials throughout the cabin, too, and the boot space stands at 502 litres. There’s also a handy ‘frunk’ underneath the bonnet which is ideal for storing the charging cables.

What’s the spec like?

Prices for the new A6 start from £62,000 and all models get 20-inch alloy wheels, high-performance LED front and rear lights and heated front seats. Plus, that massive OLED screen comes included as standard as well alongside wireless phone charging and a 360-degree parking camera.

As with most Audi models the A6 can be specified in popular S Line trim which adds a range of sportier styling touches, while tip-top Edition 1 cars gain matrix LED headlights, electric front seats and larger 21-inch alloy wheels, to name just a few extras.

Verdict

The new A6 arrives as a very impressive product. Not only does it enter into a portion of the market that has some other decent options within it, but it brings a whole load of range and equipment as well.

The best part of the A6 is that it feels like a fully-fledged executive saloon and betters those which came before it.