Just hearing the name “A6 Sportback e-tron performance” might make you think of yet another overpowered EV aiming to blow you away with wild acceleration. But rest assured, this Audi isn’t about shock value in terms of brute force. The “performance” tag here highlights two other strengths: impressive range and well-honed aerodynamics. With a claimed WLTP range of up to 756 kilometers on a single charge, Audi’s A6 Sportback e-tron performance is touted as a true long-distance champion. “It’s our range hero,” says product marketer Florian Hauser confidently.
Aerodynamics: The Secret Sauce of the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron Performance
Don’t underestimate the importance of that sleek silhouette. With a drag coefficient of just 0.21, the A6 Sportback e-tron is not only the most aerodynamic Audi ever, it even outperforms anything else in the entire VW Group. According to aerodynamicist Matteo Ghelfi, the stakes for aero work have never been higher. In the world of EVs, every slip of air counts. Over a WLTP cycle, about a third of the battery’s energy fights air resistance. By contrast, for gas engines, that figure is just 10%.
To reach this benchmark, Audi’s engineers have fine-tuned every detail. The roofline sits four centimeters lower than the A6 Avant e-tron’s, helping it achieve that stellar drag number. The front grille features a dynamic airflow system with controllable louvres, while precisely shaped “Air Curtains” guide airflow neatly around the wheels. Underneath, you’ll find carefully positioned deflectors and tiny spoiler elements that trim the air just right, adding precious kilometers to the range. Even high-tech digital mirrors and specially designed wheels contribute a few extra kilometers each.
Real World vs. WLTP
Of course, lab-perfect WLTP numbers seldom match what you’ll see in everyday driving. When we hopped into the A6 Sportback e-tron performance at full charge, the system, factoring in the spirited habits of previous test pilots, showed a realistic 454 km range at 21°C ambient temperature. Still, the official rating stands, and given ideal conditions, 756 km isn’t just a marketing gimmick.
For power, this A6 version isn’t a fire-breather. Its single, permanent-magnet synchronous motor on the rear axle delivers 270 kW (with a boost to 280 kW using Launch Control) and 565 Nm of torque. That’s enough to propel the roughly 2.175-ton sedan from 0 to 100 km/h in a brisk 5.4 seconds, capping out at 210 km/h. No, it’s not an S or RS model, but it’s hardly a slouch, even if it sometimes misses the razor-sharp all-wheel traction you might want on twisty roads.
Comfort and Consumption
The suspension, shared with its slightly more potent siblings, is comfort-oriented but never soggy. Even though this is purely a rear-driven setup, the A6 Sportback e-tron performance holds its composure in corners, offering a satisfying blend of agility and stability. On a test route with some spirited driving and altitude changes, we recorded about 19.4 kWh/100 km, not far off the rated 15.9 kWh/100 km, considering our enthusiastic pace.
Charging the 94.9 kWh net battery to full at AC speeds (max. 11 kW) takes a leisurely 10 hours, while at DC stations you can juice from 10% to 80% in just 21 minutes at a healthy 270 kW. Not ground-breaking, but fast enough for most.
Pricing and Perspective
At a starting price of €75,600, the A6 Sportback e-tron performance isn’t cheap. Then again, it offers something unique: a genuine long-range EV experience, elegant design, and classic Audi refinement without resorting to extreme power or dynamic compromises. For those who value distance over drama, this range hero may just be the perfect fit.
