The A6 can be recharged at 11kW on a domestic AC supply through either of its charging ports – mounted on each of the car’s rear haunches – but the driver’s side port can also take DC at rates of up to 270kW. An upgrade to 22kW AC charging is planned for later in the car’s life cycle.
Two powertrains will be offered. Entry-level cars will be badged Performance and get a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor that puts out 362bhp for a 0-62mph time of 5.4sec.
The S6, priced from £97,500, will add an asynchronous motor on the front axle, giving it four-wheel drive and a combined output of 496bhp in normal operation. Using the launch control function temporarily boosts it to 543bhp, cutting its 0-62mph time to 3.9sec.
Top speed is 130mph in the Performance model and 149mph in the S6. Range is rated at 406 miles in saloon form, or 388 miles for the estate.
The RS6 will also be reborn as a pure EV, offering stronger performance than the existing 621bhp V8 model.
Dynamically, the new A6 is said to have been set up for “first-class” comfort, with the Performance model riding on traditional steel springs and the S6 getting adaptive air suspension.
