Is Audi A6 Avant e-tron concept the saviour of the wagon?
Audi isn’t letting up from its position as the proprietor of the coolest wagons despite its transition into the all-electric age. The A6 Avant e-tron concept, which it’s rather boldly referring to as the “storage champ”, previews what we can expect from future Audi estates. Keep along these lines, Audi. We’re big fans.
As is the way, this is a derivation of the saloon concept we saw last year. That means it sits on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) underpinning with 800-volt technology, which allows 270kW of charging capacity. That means up to 180 miles can be added to its range in around 10 minutes. In less than 25 minutes it’ll charge from 5 to 80 per cent, on the way to its full WLTP-rated range of up to 435 miles. Storage champ in the electric sense certainly.
Design-wise it’s much like what we saw on the A6 e-tron concept, but with engorged hindquarters. That jewel-like light bar, with added 3D elements, certainly sits well amid the added mass at the rear. The addition of two large metallic diffuser elements also add some dynamism, in concert with the smooth boot spoiler.
Further forward, not a huge amount has changed. We still get an enormous body-coloured ‘grille’, albeit with revised design engravings. There’s a bit more metallic trim going on, while the new “Neptune Valley” grey paint adds a certain trendy menace to it.
It’s big, too. As Audi points out, its 4,960mm length, 1,960mm width and 1,440mm height put it in the luxury class. In other words, it occupies the space an A8 Avant of past generations might have. A good start then for wagon final boss status. We don’t actually have any WhatCar?-esque boot depth numbers to quantify Audi’s claims but those dimensions paint a favourable picture. Of course, unlike any internal combustion estate that’s gone before, there ought to be storage space up front too.
The first PPE-based Audi production cars are due to be revealed next year. Everything from saloon cars and estates to SUVs are expected to run on it. Being a collaboration with Porsche, it won’t just be Audis that are based on it either.
So, are you excited for the future of the cool Audi estate as previewed in the A6 Avant e-tron concept? Looks pretty cool to us…
Audi
A6
Electric Avenue
Concept
