• Three versions available
• Up to 463 miles range
• Rear or all-wheel drive

Audi A6 E-Tron electric motors and batteries

The range starts with a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version producing 325hp from an 83kWh (75.8kWh usable) battery. It’s quick enough, with a 0-62mph time of 6.0 seconds and a maximum speed of 130mph. Driving range is a healthy 383 miles WLTP tested, and rapid public charging maxes out at 225kW. Regardless of version, though, Audi claims just 21 minutes is needed for a 10 to 80% rapid charge.

Next up is the Performance model, also rear-driven, but with 375hp and a larger 100kWh (94.9kWh usable) battery. This increases driving range to 463 miles and improves charging speed to 270kW. It’ll sprint to 62mph in 5.4 seconds.

Go for the Quattro version and you’ll get a second motor on the front axle, boosting total power to 460hp and cutting the 0-62mph time to 4.5 seconds. Range drops slightly to 438 miles, but it’s still more than competitive.

For comparison, the longest claimed range on the BMW i5 is 356 miles, while the Mercedes EQE can travel up to a claimed 429 miles.

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What’s it like to drive?

• Excellent body control
• Strong performance across range
• Air suspension not available in UK, but it’s still comfortable

We’ve driven the A6 Sportback E-Tron on a number of roads and motorways where it showed off its composure and polish. We initially tried the air suspension system on our first drive of the car abroad – but frustratingly, this isn’t standard in the UK except on the S6 – but have subsequently tried the standard sports set-up, and found it surprisingly capable.

Considering Audi’s reputation is for building safe and solid handlers, the A6 E-Tron proves itself to be far more fun that we’d have imagined. The suspension is firm, and for those who value a smooth ride, it can be a touch firm on undulating road surfaces, but for the most part we thought it rode well. The pay-off of a slightly stiffer ride is is agile cornering, pin-sharp steering and a sporting attitude that feels more responsive than the BMW i5.

It’s a shame we can’t have the adaptive air suspension setup, though, as it makes the A6 seem far more luxurious. It glides over rough surfaces and remains composed at speed. It doesn’t float or wallow, and body control over crests and compressions is very well judged. The steering is precise and consistent, if lacking in outright feel. It’s well-weighted and accurate, making the A6 easy to place on narrow roads. Rear-wheel drive models feel agile for such a large car.

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Braking is a highlight, with natural pedal feel and a clever regeneration system that you can tweak via paddles. It’s much smoother than the system in the Mercedes EQE. It’s no lightweight, and you do feel the mass when you really push on. But for everyday driving, it’s refined, balanced and pleasingly responsive – easily one of the best in its class.