How far does an electric vehicle have to drive to out-last range anxiety? It’s a practical and philosophical question that Audi has done its best to answer.
The German brand has just revealed its newest battery-powered model, the A6 e-tron and it has taken driving range to lengths previously only possessed by streamlined concept cars. The new A6 e-tron with long range battery has a claimed driving range of 756km.
That compares to 487km for Audi’s other electric sedan, the e-tron GT, so it’s a major step forward and one that should, at the very least, quiet the doubters who believe EVs need a driving range close to an internal combustion engine model to be viable.
“The A6 e-tron is the first purely electric Audi model available as a Sportback and Avant,” explained Gernot Döllner, Audi’s chairman. “Its striking design enables the best aerodynamics in the portfolio and therefore greater efficiency. It will inspire enthusiasm for e-mobility with its long range of well over 700 kilometers and outstanding driving dynamics.”
The key line there is his reference to aerodynamics, with the A6 e-tron having a drag coefficient of just 0.21 for the Sportback variant, which makes it the slipperiest Audi of all-time through the air. Aerodynamics are the key to the A6 e-tron’s impressive range, but it’s helped by the new 100kWh lithium-ion battery developed for the new model.
It’s not just an efficient car either, with the A6 e-tron capable of running 0-100km/h in just 5.4 seconds and the sportier S6 Sportback e-tron taking only 3.9 seconds.
In a major departure for Audi, though, the A6 e-tron is available with rear-wheel drive, with a single rear-mounted 270kW electric motor, while the S6 e-tron has the trademark quattro all-wheel drive thanks to its 370kW dual-motor set-up.
What do you think? Is 756km enough between charging to convince you to make the switch to an EV?
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