Audi sexes up EV wagons with Avant e-tron concept

A new Audi wagon, you say? As far as guarantees in life go, you know it’s going to be damn sexy and leg-tremblingly desirable.

Meet the new A6 Avant e-tron concept, showing the German luxury brand’s move to electrification is no barrier to extending its reign of big-bummed sexiness. Avant, of course, is Audi’s fancy word for wagon.

The Avant joins the A6 electric fastback concept shown at last year’s Shanghai Auto Show. The electric A6s share the new Volkswagen Group PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture, which supersedes the J1 platform underpinning the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-Tron GT.

From the specifications revealed we know the A6 Avant e-tron concept is 4.96 metres long, or near identical to the current petrol-powered A6 Avant.

Fast charging, fast wagon

As with the A6 e-tron Sportback, two electric motors can deliver up to 350kW and 800Nm to realise a 0-100km/h sprint time “well under four seconds,” Audi says. We’re promised a single e-motor entry-level model will still tackle the sprint in less than seven seconds.

Audi claims a WLTP range of up to 700km from its 100kWh battery pack. With its 800 volt system and 270 kW of charging capacity, we’re promised 300km range in just 10 minutes at an ultra-rapid charger.

Additionally, the figures show in 25 minutes the A6 Avant e-tron’s 100kWh battery can go from 5 to 80 percent charged.

But let’s forget the numbers for a minute. Just look at that glorious back end. The continuous strip of lights have a hint of Knight Rider’s KITT’s to them, and whoever thinks that’s a bad thing needs to get out more.

Audi tells us “the continuous strip of lights in the rear emphasise its kinship with the other electrically powered Audis in the e-tron fleet.” All very good, but doesn’t this style look so much better on a low-slung wagon rather than the ubiquitous high-riding SUVs?

Light show to follow

The rear lights also do tricks. They feature “a new generation of digital OLED elements that, as a continuous strip of lights, act like a display. They can also be used to create almost unlimited customisable variations of digital light signatures and dynamic lighting displays that can be adapted to the customer’s personal taste.”

There’s more. A new feature is three-dimensional architecture to the digital OLED elements that “makes it possible to experience the dynamic light show not only in two dimensions – as was previously the case – but with an impressive, 3D spatial effect.”

Cue many hours spent in the garage setting up a light show to wow the neighbours. And let’s just ignore the potential cost of replacing any of this trick rear lighting. Rest assured it won’t be a $2 globe from Repco you can just screw in.

The A6 Avant e-tron concept features air suspension with adaptive dampers, 22-inch wheels and Audi’s distinctive cameras on stalks, these ‘virtual mirrors’ replacing conventional door mirrors.

Sadly, and like the A6 e-tron Sportback, Audi’s not revealed any interior shots just yet.

Audi said last year’s Sportback was about 95 percent production ready at the time, and the Avant looks very close to showroom-ready too.

Seems we can expect more of the same as well. Audi Board Member for Technical Development, Oliver Hoffmann, said: “With the Audi A6 Avant e-tron concept, we are offering a completely tangible look at future production models on our new PPE technology platform.

“We’re not just electrifying the Avant’s successful 45-year history. What we want most of all is to use technical skill to add an exclamation point. In particular, this includes powerful 800 volt technology, 270 kW of charging capacity, and a WLTP range of up to 700 kilometres.”