Audi's new electric model shines with advanced tech and sleek aerodynamics, its design fails to stand out.

• Introducing the all-new Audi A6 e-tron and S6 e-tron, available in both sedan and wagon (or estate) forms, known as the 'Avant.' These electrified models are the latest additions to Audi's electric vehicle lineup.

• Audi state that the key difference between the Audi Q6 e-tron (high) and the Audi A6 e-tron (low) is the floor height as both are on the same electric platform, leaving the preference in the hands of the customer.

• Joining the gasoline-powered A6 and S6, the new models will include the e-trons, which are set for release as 2025 models. Orders for these will begin in September 2024.

• The A6 e-tron is expected to start around $87,000, with the Avant version priced at approximately $88,000. The more performance-oriented S6 e-tron is anticipated to top out in the $90,000 range.

A decade after Audi first introduced the e-tron concept at the 2009 International Motor Show in Germany, they rolled out their first fully electric e-tron SUV in 2019. This marked a major milestone, and they didn’t stop there. The e-tron GT soon followed, sharing its DNA with the Porsche Taycan since both were co-designed by the two brands.

Fast forward to 2024, and Audi has produced multiple electric cars, including the Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, Q6 e-tron, SQ6 e-tron, Audi Q8 e-tron, Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron, Audi SQ8 e-tron, Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron, and the Audi e-tron GT. Audi has now revealed a new addition to the e-tron family: the A6 e-tron and S6 e-tron.

Sure, this isn’t Audi’s first electric car, but it’s definitely a big deal for the brand. Why? Because it’s the first one expected to be priced under six figures! I mean, I’m not saying it’s cheap—$70,000 isn’t exactly pocket change—but hey, at least it’s *cheaper* than their other models, right?

Let’s be real though—whether it’s $99,999 or $100,000, six figures for a car is still pretty wild. So yeah, it's under six figures, but in the end, that kind of price tag is still a serious investment. we expect the new electric sedan to start around $70,000 for the rear-drive version with 362 horsepower, rising to $80,000 for the 422-hp A6 e-tron and cresting over $90,000 for the 543-hp S6 e-tron when it goes on sale late next spring.

Although the 0 to 62 mph time isn't as good as their competitors, Audi is ahead in the overall range with a respectable charging time. I feel this is a deliberate move, as I believe when a customer sees the spec sheet and notices only a few tenths difference in performance between its competitors but much better range, they'll be willing to compromise some 0 to 62 mph performance for increased range. After all, range can be a deal maker or deal breaker.

The A6 e-tron comes with a 94.4-kWh battery tucked away in the floor, and it's supposed to give you around 350 miles of range—at least that's the idea. Don’t get too excited, though; the official EPA numbers aren’t out yet, and that over-450-mile range the Europeans are bragging about? Yeah, probably not happening in real life.

The car’s got some serious juice with its 800-volt electrical setup, allowing for up to 270-kW charging on a DC fast-charger. Audi says you can go from 10 to 80 percent in just 21 minutes, but we’ll see! If you’ve got a 400-kW connection, the A6 will charge its two battery banks separately at up to 135 kW each—fancy, right? And if you’re plugging in at home or anywhere with AC, you’re looking at 11 kW. So, you might want to grab a coffee while it charges!

Design-wise, the A6 e-tron is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s not ugly by any means, but it's not groundbreaking either. Some might argue that the previous generation looked better, and I’d agree. The new design isn’t terrible, but it’s nothing to write home about either. That said, with the performance and tech packed into this car, the design might be easy to overlook. Plus, it’s not like Mercedes or BMW are knocking it out of the park with their designs lately, so Audi’s doing just fine.

The big taillight is made up of OLEDs, and you can actually customize the look through the car’s settings—because who doesn’t love a little personal touch? And while we’re stuck with the Sportback, the rest of the world gets to enjoy the even cooler Avant version (which is Audi's way of saying wagon).

The interior of the A6 e-tron borrows its style from the Q6 e-tron, featuring a big, curved panel that houses a 14.5-inch infotainment display and an 11.9-inch driver's display. While the setup looks sharp, we can’t help but wish they offered more customization for the gauge cluster—Audi usually nails that part better.

To keep your passengers entertained, there’s an optional 14.5-inch screen right in front of the passenger seat, perfect for gaming or binge-watching during road trips. The panoramic glass roof is pretty cool too—it switches from transparent to opaque at the push of a button and can even show a checkerboard pattern if you’re feeling fancy.

As for cargo space, you get 26 cubic feet under the hatch, which is decent. Up front, there’s a tiny frunk (front trunk) that’s just under one cubic foot—so, yeah, don’t expect to fit much more than a sandwich in there.

I find the major interior design changes unnecessary, but if they hadn't changed it, there wouldn’t be much to look for. I personally think the previous interior design gave Audi a unique personality and was easily recognizable. The new design lacks the Audi DNA and looks more like a generic tablet-looking screen, which almost everyone is doing now.

But what do you think? Do you prefer the fresh look, or are you missing that old Audi charm?