Audi A6/S6 e-tron

[Jonathan S.]

What, no posts yet on the July 31 reveal?
Come on, you know you're curious -- if only to confirm your bias in favor of the Taycan's superiority!

My take, as a potential past A6/S6 e-tron purchaser:

• Sure glad I didn't decide last summer to wait until its debut, as I would have been waiting another two years, with delivery expected in spring/summer 2025, after an initial announcement back in early 2021 (which promised 2023 production).
• Avant wagon delivery in North America expected in ... never. Even though dealers had been told in fall of 2023 that we would receive it. [insert angry emoticon here] Perhaps we will eventually receive the A6 e-tron Allroad? Or the RS-6 e-tron Avant? (Note that the first vehicle is entirely a figment of my imagination. The second vehicle seems to be confirmed for the drivetrain but not the body style.)
• Exterior is lozenge, with a height that makes it looks almost crossover territory like the Toyota Crown or Mustang Mach-E. If you played around with camera angles at a photo shoot, I bet the A6/S6 and Q6 Sportback could be made to look identical. By contrast, even though is an EV hatchback version of the A6, would never be confused with the A7 ICE hatchback version of the A6. And the final design is definitely taller than the early 2021 pictures. (The add'l height isn't as noticeable though in the Avant version since it's visually offset by the longer roof, plus the Avant rear mitigates the lozenge shape.)
• Interior, A6/S6 rear passengers definitely lose on headroom b/c of the hatch. (Avant passengers are fine though.) Legroom received mixed reviews in videos. The floor is definitely high because of the battery, which also lacks foot garages. And the seat is definitely low. One video made it look like a rear passenger was in rough shape. Another seemed fine, although still more like our household's i4, which while okay for short or medium-ish people, is a distinctly small size class.
• Cargo size and versatility are excellent for a mid-sized sedan, thanks to the hatch and center pass-through. The frunk though is even smaller than on the Taycan, although at least it has one, unlike the direct competitor i5.
• Powertrain options, the base RWD (yes, a RWD Audi sedan!) seems roughly comparable to Taycan base RWD, A6 AWD seems roughly comparable to Taycan 4CT, and S6 seems roughly comparable to 4S.
• Driving dynamics are totally unknown, since the only thing any member of the public has done is sit in a stationary A6/S6.
• Range based purely on battery size, motors, and weight specs should be roughly comparable to 2025 Taycan. (All sorts of huge claims are being tossed around, but when you focus on the two-motor AWD versions, trim it down to expected WLTP rating, trim that down even further to EPA rating -- both in general, and for the less aero sideview mirrors as opposed to the cameras that Europe gets to have --then ignore all that and wait to see some combination of C&D 75mph test, CR 70mph test, and InsideEVs 70mph test, you get ... well, we've to wait to see!)
• The 800v architecture is great if you have reliable 800v 250+ kW stations, but otherwise, you're better off with 400v cars (e.g., i5), since the A6/S6 will be limited to the 130s at Tesla V3 and V3.5 stations (plus most likely the upcoming $100m worth of BP-branded Tesla chargers), i.e., just like a Taycan w/ the 150/400 option.

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[W1NGE]

What, no posts yet on the July 31 reveal?
Come on, you know you're curious -- if only to confirm your bias in favor of the Taycan's superiority!

My take, as a potential past A6/S6 e-tron purchaser:

• Sure glad I didn't decide last summer to wait until its debut, as I would have been waiting another two years, with delivery expected in spring/summer 2025, after an initial announcement back in early 2021 (which promised 2023 production).
• Avant wagon delivery in North America expected in ... never. Even though dealers had been told in fall of 2023 that we would receive it. [insert angry emoticon here] Perhaps we will eventually receive the A6 e-tron Allroad? Or the RS-6 e-tron Avant? (Note that the first vehicle is entirely a figment of my imagination. The second vehicle seems to be confirmed for the drivetrain but not the body style.)
• Exterior is lozenge, with a height that makes it looks almost crossover territory like the Toyota Crown or Mustang Mach-E. If you played around with camera angles at a photo shoot, I bet the A6/S6 and Q6 Sportback could be made to look identical. By contrast, even though is an EV hatchback version of the A6, would never be confused with the A7 ICE hatchback version of the A6. And the final design is definitely taller than the early 2021 pictures. (The add'l height isn't as noticeable though in the Avant version since it's visually offset by the longer roof, plus the Avant rear mitigates the lozenge shape.)
• Interior, A6/S6 rear passengers definitely lose on headroom b/c of the hatch. (Avant passengers are fine though.) Legroom received mixed reviews in videos. The floor is definitely high because of the battery, which also lacks foot garages. And the seat is definitely low. One video made it look like a rear passenger was in rough shape. Another seemed fine, although still more like our household's i4, which while okay for short or medium-ish people, is a distinctly small size class.
• Cargo size and versatility are excellent for a mid-sized sedan, thanks to the hatch and center pass-through. The frunk though is even smaller than on the Taycan, although at least it has one, unlike the direct competitor i5.
• Powertrain options, the base RWD (yes, a RWD Audi sedan!) seems roughly comparable to Taycan base RWD, A6 AWD seems roughly comparable to Taycan 4CT, and S6 seems roughly comparable to 4S.
• Driving dynamics are totally unknown, since the only thing any member of the public has done is sit in a stationary A6/S6.
• Range based purely on battery size, motors, and weight specs should be roughly comparable to 2025 Taycan. (All sorts of huge claims are being tossed around, but when you focus on the two-motor AWD versions, trim it down to expected WLTP rating, trim that down even further to EPA rating -- both in general, and for the less aero sideview mirrors as opposed to the cameras that Europe gets to have --then ignore all that and wait to see some combination of C&D 75mph test, CR 70mph test, and InsideEVs 70mph test, you get ... well, we've to wait to see!)
• The 800v architecture is great if you have reliable 800v 250+ kW stations, but otherwise, you're better off with 400v cars (e.g., i5), since the A6/S6 will be limited to the 130s at Tesla V3 and V3.5 stations (plus most likely the upcoming $100m worth of BP-branded Tesla chargers), i.e., just like a Taycan w/ the 150/400 option.

This is a Porsche Taycan forum...just say'in.

FWIW I think it is plug ugly but a cheaper alternative to the CT / ST Taycans so they will be popular. Many shared components across the VW group now leads to murky product differentiation.

 

[Flying ace]

Repackaging of trickle down features from Taycan. The advant is intriguing as it's an alternative to CT.

What i like about Audi is the simplified packaging of options and standard features. Less variations of across the model which allows cross shopping easier.

 

[Brombaer1971]

I went 2-year old Taycan CT in the end because Audi delayed it and delayed it and did I say delayed it ? Audi would be a bit less upstate and I really loved my old S6 avant. However the Taycan is something else, much more sporty. So really hard to compare. If you‘re looking for wagon because cargo space and don‘t like SUV or don‘t want to spend too much money the Audi is better.

 

[Jonathan S.]

This is a Porsche Taycan forum...just say'in.

FWIW I think it is plug ugly but a cheaper alternative to the CT / ST Taycans so they will be popular. Many shared components across the VW group now leads to murky product differentiation.

I did post it in the "Porsche Taycan Versus..." subforum.
Anyway, yes, should be a successful model line for VAG, as it's competitive with the other mid-sized EV sedans out there ... especially since there aren't many of them!

 

[Jonathan S.]

Repackaging of trickle down features from Taycan. The advant is intriguing as it's an alternative to CT.

What i like about Audi is the simplified packaging of options and standard features. Less variations of across the model which allows cross shopping easier.

I think the regular A6/S6 e-tron sportback is also a viable CT alternative, as the cargo capacity and versatility should be comparable to the CT, maybe even superior.
(The cargo official specs are as always confusing for any hatch, since the measurement is from the shelf down.)

As a Porsche newcomer, I still can't get over the a la carte nature of Taycan options!
I suspect that is what encourages many Taycan owners to buy new, since if you're picky about options (especially if you like ADAS and other tech-oriented features), finding what you want used is a challenge (even more so for the lower-volume CT).
I suspect that also helps to maintain a high differential of used retail over used wholesale, since private sellers lack the patience to wait for just the right buyer. (This forum and the various Taycan FB groups sure have a high ratio of Taycan owners complaining about "depreciation" in the form of trade-in value to Taycan owners posting their vehicle for private sale.)
All of which means that Porsche dealers must be doing pretty well for themselves!

 

[Jonathan S.]

I went 2-year old Taycan CT in the end because Audi delayed it and delayed it and did I say delayed it ? Audi would be a bit less upstate and I really loved my old S6 avant. However the Taycan is something else, much more sporty. So really hard to compare. If you‘re looking for wagon because cargo space and don‘t like SUV or don‘t want to spend too much money the Audi is better.

And Audi still has the potential to delay it even more!
Maybe it will finally be ready by the time I'm ready to move on my from current CT.
Although how ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've driven a Taycan?
(Or seen Karl Hungus. But he drivers a BMW in this sub-movie.)
So maybe an eventual replacement CT is in my future.
Or a Polestar 5 for even more baseless speculation.

 

[Zcd1]

I'm not really a fan of the design.

• The front clip is convoluted, as has been Audi's wont of late.
• The black/contrasting trim pieces on the doors and rear bumper seem to serve to accentuate, rather than diminish, the area where the battery is located. That has to be the opposite of the designers' intent, right?
• There's a vestigial transmission tunnel visible in the rear footwell. REALLY?!? In a clean-sheet EV platform?!?!
• Definitely bears some resemblance to the final-generation Ford Fusion - not the tie-in I'd be looking for were I spending 2-3x the price of the aforementioned Fusion...

Audi's days of unique, forward-thinking design appear to be in the past, at least for now. Makes me sad as a multiple-time (and current) Audi owner.

 

[Flying ace]

I think the regular A6/S6 e-tron sportback is also a viable CT alternative, as the cargo capacity and versatility should be comparable to the CT, maybe even superior.
(The cargo official specs are as always confusing for any hatch, since the measurement is from the shelf down.)

As a Porsche newcomer, I still can't get over the a la carte nature of Taycan options!
I suspect that is what encourages many Taycan owners to buy new, since if you're picky about options (especially if you like ADAS and other tech-oriented features), finding what you want used is a challenge (even more so for the lower-volume CT).
I suspect that also helps to maintain a high differential of used retail over used wholesale, since private sellers lack the patience to wait for just the right buyer. (This forum and the various Taycan FB groups sure have a high ratio of Taycan owners complaining about "depreciation" in the form of trade-in value to Taycan owners posting their vehicle for private sale.)
All of which means that Porsche dealers must be doing pretty well for themselves!

Agreed, the high variations definitely doesn't help someone like me searching for a pre-owned model! I'm shocked by how many cars are not built with the 2+1 for example, a no-brainer option.

The Taycan appears to typically be leased, so most lessees have low incentive to sell it privately. Dealers are definitely making high margins on pre-owned given the known trade in values. I'm observing that dealers are willing to sit on inventory, as you stated, some of the trim variants are so unique, it is likely a buyer will show up eventually and pay a premium because somehow a premium can be justified for one or two unique options. Damn you Porsche.

I myself am playing a waiting game with 2 dealers at the moment. Dealer 1 has sat on the inventory for a good 2 months now, and still has not listed a price reduction! (Though through conversations they have already given me some pricing concessions). They know my offer is reasonable (at least dealer 2 has already stated that), they are just waiting for that other buyer to step in and pay that premium I'm unwilling to pay.

The GT3 market is even worse. It's literally take it or leave it.

Anyways, on the A6 etron, the car is okay. I don't like the etron styling akin to MB's lumpy shape. Why can't it just look like an A6 Avant, which looks amazing, especially in the RS6 body?

 

[Jonathan S.]

Yes, that 2+1 option was a frustrating omission during my search last summer -- sure, I don't plan on ever subjecting a passenger to be squished in the rear between two other passengers, but it is helpful for cargo versatility as a center pass-through (especially with skis), and at such a small incremental cost, why not include it if buying new?

Fortunately, time is on your side for used Taycan shopping, as long as you're in no rush.
Although Porsche dealers are also in no rush, given their focus on a high-margin/low-volume sales model.

I wonder how much the lozenge styling is dictated by aerodynamics (for range) and also by trying to fit a sedan body on top of a big battery?

 

[Johan Meert]

I have some serious doubts about the range claims (for a 100/95kWh battery).
Maybe if the German EV market remains in a slump you can get one in 1 year, maybe.

 

[parkslopedope]

This is a Porsche Taycan forum...just say'in.

FWIW I think it is plug ugly but a cheaper alternative to the CT / ST Taycans so they will be popular. Many shared components across the VW group now leads to murky product differentiation.

There’s an entire Audi section in the forum…also, it’s completely natural to discuss potential competitors and what they might be offering by comparison.

personally I was interested to see the final version of this car, specifically the Avant but it’s disappointing from an aesthetic POV in my opinion. Had so much potential to make a beautiful EV wagon and as mentioned by others it looks more like a crossover and the shapes aren’t as sharp as the GT or Taycan.

Maybe in sportier trims, or other color combos it will make the car more appealing but not interested at the moment.
It's looking like no Avant for NAM, so may be a moot point anyway.

 

[d00d]

Audi design has been sh¡t for years, shapes that just don't work well with each other, this 6 series no different.

That said, almost went with the RS 6 Avant when they eventually got around to selling it in the US, but didn't want to go through the hassle of Exclusive just to get a non metallic white.
Instead went with an M5 that I kept for two years and replaced with the Taycan.
Still have an S8 as backup.

The similar size ID.7 is an attractive design, but will be decontented in the US if we get it at all, and also we apparently don't deserve the Avant.

 

[Sace]

I think it's interesting for a couple of reasons:

- I really like the design
- It can get a trailer hitch which is a big miss on my ST
- It's not as rediciously wide as the Taycan
- Range seems great

I do however hate the new Audi interior. Older Audi's have nice clicky buttons etc. This new gloss-black-touch nightmare is getting out of hand.

Looking forward to see the prices so it can really be compared to the new Taycan.

• The 800v architecture is great if you have reliable 800v 250+ kW stations, but otherwise, you're better off with 400v cars (e.g., i5), since the A6/S6 will be limited to the 130s at Tesla V3 and V3.5 stations (plus most likely the upcoming $100m worth of BP-branded Tesla chargers), i.e., just like a Taycan w/ the 150/400 option.

The PPE platform should split the pack in two 400V modules that can charge at 135kW in parallel which should make it much better than a Taycan in terms of 400V charging.

Luckily we have almost exclusively 800V chargers around here (except the Tesla ones that I never use).

 

[Jonathan S.]

^ So are the references to 135kW charging in parallel to be interpreted as 270kW at 400v chargers? If so, then yes, big improvement! But I thought that just meant 135kW, so no change from the Taycan when equipped with the 150/400 option.

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