All-new A6 Sportback e-tron: the elegant, aerodynamic Audi range leader

Audi of America has announced the U.S. offer structure and technical details for the all-new A6 and S6 Sportback e-tron. Expected to arrive at U.S. dealerships this summer, the all-new model stands out as the most aerodynamic and longest-range BEV within the Audi line-up. An elegant interior and exterior give the A6 e-tron model line a distinctive look combined with the functionality of its Sportback design. The latest MMI® system provides sharp graphics, fast processing times and access to user-friendly technologies and controls via the Audi digital stage.

Closely resembling the concept, first shown in 2021, the all-new A6 Sportback e-tron extends the efficiency gains born out of the Premium Platform Electric’s (PPE) first application – the Q6 e-tron SUV, which was introduced to the U.S. market in late 2024. Thanks to an incredibly aerodynamic 0.23 Cd, the rear-wheel drive Audi A6 Sportback e-tron boasts an EPA-estimated 392 miles of range on a single charge when equipped with the ultra® package.

Going further on a single charge is only part of the efficiency story for the A6 Sportback e-tron. Foundational to the PPE is the battery pack’s ability to maintain high input levels of charging power across the charging curve with an incredibly flat profile throughout the charging process when the battery has been appropriately pre-conditioned. Audi’s first “low-floor” model built on the PPE is capable of charging its 94.4 net kWh battery at DC fast charge speeds of up to 270kW. With the help of an advanced thermal management system, the A6 Sportback e-tron can achieve 10-80% battery capacity recharging in as little as 21 minutes, helping get drivers back on the road quicker when using DC fast charge services.

The all-new design of the A6 Sportback e-tron family is offered exclusively in a Sportback body style for North American markets. The sweeping silhouette, while aerodynamic and visually appealing, also serves functional purposes. Featuring the ability to fully and independently fold flat the 40:20:40 second row of seats, up to 39.9 cubic feet of interior storage space can be achieved. A load area up to 6 feet 2 inches deep is also possible thanks to the liftgate design of the rear hatch and convenience of the fold flat second row and provides excellent functionality whether for passengers or for ample luggage and other cargo.

Inside, the driver-oriented cockpit features the wrap-around Audi digital stage. Consisting of an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit instrument display and 14.5-inch center MMI screen, drivers have the option of engaging with content using Audi’s virtual assistant through voice commands, or via the feedback of the touchscreen itself. Both screens feature OLED technology which creates true-blacks and the impression of one cohesive wrap around screen directly within reach (and eyesight) of the driver. The digital stage can be further extended with an optional 10.9-inch MMI passenger display, perfectly integrated into the dashboard design.  Thanks to active privacy mode, the front-seat passenger can enjoy content downloaded through the Audi App store such as movies, streaming content or games, without distracting the driver while the vehicle is in motion. In addition to infotainment apps, the display also lets the passenger assist the driver with navigation or finding a parking space. Digital decor is displayed as a background image if the passenger display is not used or if no passenger is detected.

Buyers also have the option of equipping their cars with optional headrest integrated speakers that provide an excellent audio experience, provide navigation instructions to avoid disturbing passengers that may be sleeping, and minimize interruption to passenger conversations. All Audi A6 and S6 Sportback e-tron models feature a panoramic glass sunroof with switchable transparency as standard.

The A6 Sportback e-tron model family consists of three models, with three different power outputs; the single motor rear-wheel drive A6 Sportback e-tron, the dual motor A6 Sportback e-tron quattro, and the S6 Sportback e-tron which blends dynamic performance and luxury together seamlessly.

The A6 e-tron model family arrives in U.S. dealers in the summer of 2025.

The A6 e-tron model family is a core part of Audi’s strategy to meet customers where they are in the shift to electric mobility and provide products which make the transition from combustion power as seamless as possible. The new model is one of more than 20 all-new or significantly redesigned offerings from the brand – half of which are electric, and half of which are combustion – which are anticipated to be introduced over the next two years as part of the largest product initiative in the brand’s history.

This product initiative is well underway; product improvements for the A3, Q7, Q8 and e-tron GT model families have already launched, as has the all-new Q6 e-tron SUV which arrived at U.S. dealerships in late 2024. In addition to the A6 Sportback e-tron, all-new versions of the Audi A5 and Q5 model families will be introduced this summer as well. Additional news of all-new models and product improvements will be announced later this year.

The exterior: dynamic elegance

The clean design of the A6 Sportback e-tron’s body focuses on dynamic, progressive, elegance. The front is harmonious and expressive. The slim design of the daytime running lights, and the wide grille make the A6 Sportback e-tron appear flat and wide on the road.

A black mask surrounds the closed and inverted single frame, reflecting a distinct e-tron design language. The main headlights and other functional elements, such as the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) sensors and the air intakes, are integrated into the dark mask, making them almost invisible.

The dynamic roofline of the A6 Sportback e-tron rests on a powerful foundation with a low ride height. The quattro blisters are the contours that emphasize the quattro drive with their sculptural and muscular shape. They are a core element of the Audi design DNA. As the heart of the car, the battery is emphasized by a black insert in the sill area. The insert gives the car a flat, slim, and dynamic appearance from the side. It extends to the rear and integrates the reflectors, giving the A6 Sportback e-tron a visually stretched appearance.

The rear conveys a mixture of sporty elegance and full power. The clean architecture, combined with the continuous and three-dimensional light strip, gives the new A6 Sportback e-tron clarity, confidence and composure. A striking spoiler lip finishes off the rear of the S6 Sportback e-tron, while an eye-catching rear diffuser further emphasizes the sporty and dynamic look of the rear on both A6 and S6 Sportback e-tron models.

Both rear-wheel drive and quattro-equipped Audi A6 Sportback e-tron models come with 20-inch 5-arm aero design wheels in a bicolor finish and all-season run-flat tires as standard, while models equipped with the ultra® package get 19-inch 5-arm dynamic wheels with all-season tires designed to improve the car’s aerodynamics and contribute to the rear-wheel drive model’s EPA-estimated 392-mile range.

The S6 Sportback e-tron comes with 20-inch 10-spoke aero design wheels in a bicolor finish and all-season run-flat tires as standard. Two additional 21-inch wheel designs are also available on the S6 Sportback e-tron. 21-inch multispoke-S design wheels in a bicolor finish are offered as a standalone option, while 21-inch 5-arm dynamic design wheels, also in a bicolor finish, are part of the optional Black optic package. All 21-inch wheels on the S6 Sportback e-tron feature summer tires.

All A6 Sportback e-tron models within the family are offered in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels. Up to eight exterior colors are available at market launch for the 2025 model year A6 Sportback e-tron model family.

 

Outstanding aerodynamics

Superior aerodynamics is a core component of the long history of successes for Audi globally. The aerodynamic heroes of the past, such as the Audi 100 (C3) and the Audi 80 (B3), also belong to the mid-size segment.

The legendary Cd value of the third-generation Audi 100 meant it was called the "aerodynamics world champion of all classes". With a Cd -value of 0.30, Audi outclassed its competitors in 1982 – and continued to do so for many years. Today, the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron is writing a new chapter in this success story.

The sporty design and set-up of the new Audi A6 Sportback e-tron contribute to its excellent aerodynamics and ensure an exceptionally low Cd value of 0.23 for the Sportback.

The front is aerodynamically optimized and has air curtains that positively influence the flow around the front and the wheels. The greenhouse is extremely slim, and the roofline slopes towards the rear.

Moreover, a controllable cool-air intake under the singleframe of the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron ensures the airstream can flow around this zone with minimal losses. Audi has further optimized this system with additional components. The underbody also plays a vital role in the aerodynamics concept through a high degree of sealing and small optimizations of various components. These include specially adapted wheel trims and 3D bumps ahead of the front wheels, which are individually optimized for the Sportback, the undertray, the battery, the rear axle, and sill panels. A wide and aerodynamically optimized diffuser achieves the optimum balance between lift at the rear axle and Cd value.

Innovative lighting technology

With the new Audi A6 Sportback e-tron, Audi is underlining its leading role in lighting design and technology - an essential part of the Audi DNA. The headlights and rear lights have a three-dimensional design and offer available digital light signatures, bringing the physical and digital worlds together. At the front, all Premium Plus and Prestige Audi A6 Sportback e-tron models include LED headlights plus with digital daytime running lights as standard. Prestige trim level S6 Sportback e-tron models also benefit from second-generation digital OLED taillights.

The lighting technology sets new standards in terms of individualization. On Prestige trim level A6 Sportback e-tron models, eight digital light signatures are offered, allowing drivers the ability to personalize their car in a completely new way, depending on the selected equipment.

On Prestige trim level S6 Sportback e-tron models equipped with the digital OLED taillights 2.0, the eight front digital daytime running light signatures are similarly paired with unique signatures at the rear which are increasingly evolving into a display. Ten OLED panels with a total of 450 segments are used in the rear lights of the S6 Sportback e-tron Prestige.

A particular highlight of the new Audi A6 Sportback e-tron model family is the inclusion of an illuminated four ring Audi logo at the rear. This strongly emphasizes the Audi corporate identity and gives the new A6 Sportback e-tron its very own personality.

 

MMI® panoramic display and the Audi digital stage

The interior of the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron is consistently geared towards the user’s needs. The three-dimensional and high-contrast design deliberately places elements in the foreground or background, creating a spatial architecture tailored to the occupants in terms of design and ergonomics. The MMI panoramic display, with its curved design and OLED technology, consists of the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit and the 14.5-inch MMI touch display and, together with the 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display, forms a digital stage with visually clear design.

Active Privacy Mode allows the front seat passenger to enjoy entertainment content while traveling, such as watching movies or streaming content, without distracting the driver thanks to active shuttering technology via an intelligent control unit. When the shifter of the A6 e-tron is not in Park (P), the passenger display will appear darkened when viewed from the driver’s seat while certain moving images are played by the passenger.

Audi is taking a significant step forward in display technology with the optional second-generation augmented reality head-up display (AR HuD), another central element of the digital stage. The display reflects a large, tilted image plane across the windshield towards the driver. It shows relevant information such as speed, traffic signs, assistance, and navigation symbols.

The interior creates a comfortable ambiance. The “soft wrap” extends from door to door across the entire panel width, creating a homogeneous and enveloping feeling of space. The materials were selected from a functional perspective. At the same time, they ensure a clear design differentiation of the various areas in the vehicle’s interior. Comfort-oriented areas are designed with generous surfaces and soft materials. In contrast, the precisely designed control areas in high-quality, high-gloss black emphasize the clarity of interaction with the vehicle. The low-lying, slim air vents seem to disappear into the background.

A digital wrap is also created here, which extends from mirror to mirror across the entire digital instrument panel and is connected via the dynamic interaction light at the base of the windshield. Essential functions such as mirror adjustment, lighting, and locking systems are integrated compactly into the central control panel in the driver's door.

A smart panoramic glass roof with switchable transparency

A standard, innovative panoramic glass roof further enhances the A6 Sportback e-tron. In contrast to previous types, the panoramic roof’s smart liquid crystal glass minimizes direct sunlight and becomes opaque at the touch of a button. This works with PDLC technology (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal), which can switch from transparent to opaque. Electrically switchable glass components contain two PDLC film elements, between which the liquid crystals float giving them their name. If no voltage is applied, the crystals form an opaque layer, making the glass roof opaque. If voltage is applied, the crystals align so the roof becomes transparent. It can be individually controlled like a "digital curtain" via a button in the roof module; customers can choose from four presets.

 

Infotainment - integrating the digital world of customers

The A6 Sportback e-tron comes with the latest Audi connect® services and enhanced e-tron route planner, as standard. The infotainment system uses Android Automotive OS as its operating system and offers three levels of connect services to customers; connect CARE comes standard, connect NAV and connect PLUS come with free trial periods.

The Audi Application Store – which integrates directly into the MMI and does not require a smartphone to use – gives customers access to a wide range of third-party applications from categories including music, video streaming, gaming, navigation, parking and charging, productivity, weather, news services, and more. The store is constantly expanding, and the app portfolio is market-specific.

In addition to the improved and more intuitive touch operation, the new display and operating concept addresses global trends toward interaction. For example, voice control has been significantly expanded and now plays a key role. The vehicle’s self-learning voice assistant, the Audi assistant, can control numerous vehicle functions. This support is divided into three categories: proactive suggestions (context information is used to proactively suggest functions for activation based on previous user behavior), smart routines (automatically recognizes recurring operating sequences, such as using the seat climate control from certain outside temperatures) and intelligent lists (such as call lists). In the future, the Audi assistant will also have access to additional online content, such as weather and general knowledge. The Audi assistant automatically recognizes whether to execute a vehicle function, search for a destination, or, for example, provide the weather forecast.

All A6 Sportback e-tron models come standard with the convenience of digital key functionality. The digital key on the smartphone offers all the functions familiar with the standard key fob and frees drivers from having to carry a separate key. A6 Sportback e-tron drivers can lock, unlock, and start their vehicle by simply having their compatible smartphone or watch nearby, such as in their pocket or bag. To assign the digital key to a vehicle, an activated and verified myAudi account is required for the main user of the vehicle.

The available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system with headrest speakers ensures optimum sound. A highly efficient amplifier drives 20 speakers with 830 watts of power. Four of these are integrated into the front seat headrests, enabling personal surround sound, personal navigation announcements, and one-on-one phone calls. Additional speakers in the A-pillar and mid-range speakers create an incomparable 3D surround sound.

Inside, on Premium Plus and Prestige models a dynamic interaction light offers a variety of communication functions, supporting the vehicle's interaction with the occupants. The 84 LED light strip spans the full width of the interior and cockpit below the windshield in the shape of a generous arc and can serve a variety of functions. The light provides a welcome function and indicates when the vehicle is locked and unlocked; it visualizes the use of the dynamic turn signals, or adjustments to the HVAC system – red for warmer and blue for cooler – and can visualize charge level as a pulsing interaction light during charging. It also supports driver assistance; for example, the feature visualizes a red dynamic indicator light to alert the driver of danger. The dynamic interaction light is part of the ambient lighting package and will appear in the same color as the contour light when inactive.

Impressive range and charging performance

Powerful, compact, and highly efficient electric motors and a lithium-ion battery newly developed for the PPE consisting of twelve modules and 180 prismatic cells with a total gross capacity of 100 kWh (94.4 kWh net) ensure an EPA-estimated range of 392 miles for A6 Sportback e-tron models equipped with the available ultra package.

With a system output of up to 456 horsepower with launch control in the A6 Sportback e-tron quattro, the new model provides the sporty driving experience Audi is known for. The Audi A6 Sportback e-tron quattro accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 130 mph, achieving an EPA-estimated range of 377 miles when equipped with the available ultra package.

The S6 Sportback e-tron provides a system output of 543 horsepower with launch control, achieving an EPA-estimated range of 324 miles when equipped with 20-inch wheels. The S6 Sportback e-tron accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 149 mph.

Thanks to 800-volt technology and a maximum DC charging capacity of 270 kW as standard, short charging stops are possible with the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron. This means the A6 Sportback e-tron quattro can be recharged from 10-80% at an appropriate DC fast charging station in as little as 21 minutes. Intelligent high-performance and predictive thermal management are key components of this impressive charging performance. The A6 Sportback e-tron is equipped with Audi Plug & Charge. At compatible Electrify America charging stations, when the charging cable is plugged in the charging process is activated automatically. 

If a charging station works with 400-volt technology, the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron can use bank charging. To enable this, the 800-volt battery is split into two banks, each with a voltage of 400 volts, which can then be charged in parallel with up to 135 kW. AC charging with up to 9.6 kW (240V @ 40A) is possible at standard home chargers.

The advanced recuperation (regenerative braking) system is an important component contributing to the efficiency and range of the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron. This system can handle approximately 95 percent of everyday braking processes. The Audi A6 Sportback e-tron recuperates up to 220 kW under braking depending on the battery’s temperature and state of charge. On quattro® equipped models, recuperation occurs on the front and rear axles, with minor deceleration handled by the rear axle for efficiency reasons. In addition, a higher regenerative braking performance is possible on the rear axle due to the more powerful electric motor.

The Integrated Brake System that is familiar in previous e-tron models has been enhanced significantly as part of the PPE. For the first time, the described axle-specific brake blending between the mechanical friction brake and regenerative braking via the electric motors is possible.

As is typical for Audi, the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron also offers the option of two-stage recuperation, which can be adjusted using the paddles on the steering wheel. Coasting is also possible. Here, the vehicle rolls without additional drag when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator pedal. Drivers also have the option of engaging the “B” driving mode instead of “D.” The “B” driving mode essentially engages single pedal driving by engaging the strongest recuperation deceleration. With an anticipatory driving style, almost all deceleration can be managed without pressing the brake pedal in driving mode “B”.

Precise driving dynamics, high comfort

The typical Audi DNA is also evident in the suspension. Here, there is a precisely defined set-up philosophy, and the suspension control systems are accurately coordinated with each other. The directly tuned front axle significantly influences the driving dynamics of the A6 Sportback e-tron, making the vehicle feel particularly agile.

The optional adaptive air suspension – an air suspension system with controlled damping – gives the vehicle a broad range between high ride comfort and sporty handling. Depending on the speed and individual preferences, it adapts to specific road conditions and regulates the body’s ride height at four different levels. The efficiency mode in Audi drive select is a special feature. In efficiency mode, the suspension lowers the body by 20 millimeters (0.8-inches) depending on the speed, thus improving the vehicle’s aerodynamics. This serves to optimize energy consumption and increase range. Rear wheel drive and quattro equipped A6 Sportback e-tron models come equipped with adaptive air suspension at the Prestige trim level; Sport adaptive air suspension is standard on all S6 Sportback e-tron models.

The rear-biased all-wheel drive system in the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron enhances the driving dynamics with a highly variable torque distribution. The different dimensions of the electric motors on the rear and front axles enable rear-biased torque distribution even under full load. The Audi S6 Sportback e-tron and A6 Sportback e-tron are equipped with differently sized tires on the front and rear axles, further improving stability and sportiness.

Always ready to assist: the driver assistance systems

With the A6 Sportback e-tron driver assistance systems, Audi provides a wide range of functions which come as standard at market launch. These functions, which are designed to make everyday life easier and can help increase road safety, include:

Rearview camera Camera-based traffic sign recognition Adaptive cruise control Audi lane departure warning with emergency assist Distraction and drowsiness warning

Exit warning Front cross-traffic assist Rear cross-traffic assist Rear turn assist Audi side assist with proactive occupant protection, front, side and rear

Market Launch and Prices

The A6 e-tron model family arrives in U.S. dealers in the summer of 2025 and is priced at a starting MSRP of $65,900 excluding destination and delivery charges.