The story of the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron’s conception is a somewhat complicated one. Initially, Audi was looking to rationalise its lineup, by reserving even numbers for electric cars, and odd numbers for internal combustion engined (ICE) models.
The A6 Sportback e-tron was apparently part of that strategy, but somehow it became so confusing that Audi abandoned the idea after less than two years. The A4’s replacement came too late for that u-turn, and therefore debuted as the A5, while the A6’s replacement remained as the A6.
Still with me? No? That’s ok. What you need to know is that the despite sharing the same name, the A6 Sportback e-tron is fundamentally very different from the petrol-powered A6 sedan.
For one, they sit on different platforms, with the A6 Sportback e-tron being the first non-SUV to utilise Audi’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture that is specifically designed for EVs. The regular A6 meanwhile uses the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) base, which is a modified version of the MLB platform that has underpinned many an Audi for the better part of a decade now.
Effectively though, the A6 Sportback e-tron takes the place of the A7 Sportback, which has been discontinued, in Audi’s lineup, although it is not a like-for-like replacement. In any case, if you want a large Audi with a Sportback body, this is currently your only choice.
And if you value style above all else, the Sportback is really the one you should go for. The sloping roofline matches well with some of Audi’s fancier design details, such as the aggressive-looking LED lights up front, and the slim taillight bar at the back, complete with illuminated logo for a futuristic flourish.
The interior bears a similar theme, although if you’ve sat in any of the newer generation Audis, the layout should be instantly familiar. There is the curved panoramic display featuring the 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen and the 11.9-inch digital driver instrument cluster. The EV-centric setup means that physical buttons are kept to a minimum, but the interface is quite easy to get used to quickly.
There is also an additional 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger to access controls for the navigation system, media options, or even watch videos while on the move. It seems like a cool feature perhaps, but I fear the novelty will wear out quickly, especially if you mostly drive alone.
Even though the A6 Sportback e-tron is actually 35mm taller than the A6 sedan thanks to the need to accommodate the EV’s batteries under the car, headroom, especially for the rear passengers, is at a bit of a premium due to the Sportback body style. Rear visibility is slightly restricted too, although this is compensated by the all-round cameras that make parking a slightly easier affair.
Things are slightly better if you need to accommodate goods though, with the large opening tailgate of the Sportback revealing a fairly decent boot with 502 litres of capacity. There’s also a small frunk available, although its limited size of 27 litres means that it is best utilised for smaller stuff like cables or loose items.
When it comes to the driving experience though, the A6 Sportback e-tron feels typically Audi, in a good way. Power output from the electric drivetrain is a handy 282bhp, with a maximum of 322bhp available when launch control is activated, and while it makes for brisk getaways, the car doesn’t exactly behave like a hooligan when you put the pedal down.
Instead, it makes progress in a serene and refined manner, building up speed effectively and quietly, slightly reminiscent of larger-engined Audis of the past. It pairs this with a well-balanced ride that is comfortable and composed, and this is a car that can easily take on long distance journeys without breaking a sweat.
You probably won’t have to worry about range too, because although Audi claims that the A6 Sportback e-tron can cover slightly over 400km on a full charge, you could probably better that and stretch it to 450km or so without too much effort, so long as you don’t utilise the full bandwidth of the car’s power all the time.
You’d probably want to do so anyway, because despite the car’s rear-wheel-drive setup, the A6 Sportback e-tron’s handling is not what you would car particularly dynamic. Sure, it handles neatly, with good amounts of grip and stability, but the steering, though accurate, does feel a bit lacking in feel and feedback, though that’s pretty much par for the course for most Audis anyway.
Regardless, there’s no question that the A6 Sportback e-tron is still a truly capable car for those who seek a stylish and comfortable cruiser in EV form. Whatever name or form it takes, it’s pleasing to know that the Audi qualities that we all know and love will continue to exist even as we enter into the electric age.
