Electrification is sweeping across the automotive industry at a faster pace than the time is takes the Tesla Model S Plaid to reach 0-60. It is not the “future” but very much a large constituent of the “present”. The automobile industry has been given a new lease of life, hence electrifying almost all cars has been the priority for most automakers. You can now add the Audi e-tron to that lineup.
Related: Range anxiety remains a big factor, but the Porsche Taycan 4S EV scores on so many other levels
A6 E-Tron Concept
The A6 is a conservative sedan that bursts with the traditional Audi values which the company upholds in form of a discreet design language and a technology focused cabin. Its electric counterpart, however, throws caution out of the window and embraces a more aggressive look. The A6 E-Tron, while still in concept form, looks stunning in the flesh with a lot more enthusiasm and style than the gas-powered A6.
The lines are sleeker and the roof lines flows in plus when decked up with huge wheels (22-inch wheels, no less), the car looks more like a family sedan for the Jetsons. It also debuts the new Audi grille for EVs while there are bigger intakes on the side to cool the drive train, battery, and brakes
The car is based on a completely new architecture called as the “Premium Platform Electric,” or PPE for short. And it will power future EVs from Audi too. Its dimensions read as 4.96-meter-long, 1.96-meter-wide, and 1.44-meter-high, while Audi says it looks more like a Sport back.
It is slippery too and is brimming with aerodynamics with a cw value of just 0.22. That means there is minimal aerodynamic drag. That equates to less energy consumption.
Canada’s best luxury website: 435-mile range (700 km)
Speaking of which, the A6 E-Tron is expected to boast a range of more than 435 miles (based on the WLTP standard) with a 100-kWh battery pack. There is a 800-volt charging technology too, along with the ability to charge up to 270 kW in a very short time at fast-charging stations. That eliminates the long charging time – a common bugbear with EVs. Just how much, you ask? Well, Audi claims that just 10 minutes are enough to charge the battery to a level sufficient to power the car for more than 300 kilometers.
Plus, in less than 25 minutes, you can charge its 100 kWh battery from 5 to 80 percent.
E-Tron GTÂ
The Taycan has been a big success and has propelled Porsche to the top of the premium EV niche segment. Now Audi also wants a piece of the action and the E-Tron GT is the result. It shares the same platform as the Porsche, plus it’s fast too, with power outputs ranging from 476ps (horsepower) to 598ps.
Its 85 kWh battery pack claims a range of 487 kilometers (302.6 mi). It is supposed to be a fast GT car hence gets the best tech that Audi can muster. That includes Audi drive select, all-wheel steering, controllable damping, three-chamber air suspension, electric all-wheel drive, and the rear-axle differential lock.
Aside all of that tech, the car is probably the most aggressive one to wear the four rings badge. It is more purposeful and muscular than the sleeker Porsche plus mimics the concept version to a greater degree. Audi is going through a personality change and we approve this new direction!
Like the Taycan and Tesla, the E-Tron GT plays the numbers game very well with a zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) time of 4.1 seconds, while the even quicker RS model does that in only 3.3 seconds. The top speed is 245 km/h (152.2 mph) and 250 km/h (155.3 mph). That is fast and just the perfect car to silently eat up miles on those autobahns.
Canada’s best luxury website: Gadgetry galore
There is plenty of gadgetry on board too while the cabin is more practical than the Porsche. Unlike the Taycan, the E-Tron GT would play a different tune with its GT focus while the Porsche aims for the performance end of the spectrum.
Audi e-tron GT: Click on image to enlarge and view gallery
Somnath Chatterjee grew up around cars and most of his childhood was spent obsessing over supercars. Years later he decided to start writing about them and hasn’t looked back since. While he has had his fair share of cars, the world of automobiles never ceases to amaze him. Travelling all over the world to drive them along with sharing that experience is what ultimately keeps him going. He hopes to drive a Ferrari 288 GTO someday because, well, do you really need a reason?
