- The 2027 Audi Q6 e-tron and A6 Sportback e-tron are here, bringing minor changes.
- They get a new steering wheel with scroll wheels, more efficient one-pedal braking and an optional built-in dashcam.
- There’s also a new “Power Nap” model that’s supposed to make it easier to relax while the car is stationary.
Audi’s most modern electric cars just got a mild mid-cycle refresh in the United States. The 2027 Audi A6 Sportback e-tron and Q6 e-tron, both of which are based on the 800-volt Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, are now available to order stateside with a redesigned steering wheel, a new infotainment system and a peculiar feature for a luxury car.
Buried somewhere in the official press release, Audi notes that the refreshed electric sedan and crossover now come with a “Power Nap” mode that “creates a calm and restful atmosphere during charging sessions.” There are no details, but one would assume that the car will try its best to help the driver take a nap during a charging session.
Photo by: Audi
That would be a useful feature in the first-generation Nissan Leaf, but these are $70,000 luxury cars we’re talking about here, and both of them can charge at up to 270 kilowatts. That leads to a 10% to 80% top up that can take as little as 21 minutes, according to Audi, so who exactly is going to take a nap in these cars?
I can only imagine a focus group where just one person raised their hand and said: “Me!”
Anyway, getting back to the cars. There’s no range increase, no battery size increase and no power increase. Instead, the German automaker focused its attention on software enhancements and some minor hardware changes.
Both the A6 Sportback e-tron and the Q6 e-tron now feature a new graphical user interface that’s easier to use and has more deeply integrated smartphone interface functions, including mirroring the navigation, media and phone functions directly into the car’s virtual cockpit.
Photo by: Audi
What’s more, a pair of scroll wheels have taken the place of some capacitive buttons, making it easier to change the volume and access other functions. The steering wheel design itself was inspired by the Audi Concept C coupe.
An integrated 4K dashcam is also available across the lineup, either as standard equipment or as an optional extra. Integrated at the base of the interior rear-view mirror, the camera can record HDR video and high-definition photos directly onto an SD card. The recordings can be played back on the central infotainment screen, and the car includes navigation data, speed and time in the mix.
The 2027 S6 Sportback e-tron gets a new drive mode called Dynamic Plus, which was engineered to allow for a little bit of controller oversteer when the driver is on the edge, or their talent runs out mid-corner.
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Source: Audi
The slightly updated Audi A6 Sportback e-tron liftback and Q6 e-tron crossover will go on sale in the United States in the second quarter. The base 2027 A6 Sportback e-tron starts from $67,995 (including destination) and offers a maximum EPA-estimated range of 395 miles with the Ultra Package. It’s powered by a 94.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack that sends electricity to a single, 375-horsepower rear-mounted motor.
Going for the Quattro all-wheel drive model costs an additional $2,000 and ups the power figure to 456 hp, while the sporty S6 Sportback e-tron delivers 543 hp and starts from $80,895.
Meanwhile, the 2027 Q6 e-tron crossover is only available with dual-motor all-wheel drive. The base spec delivers 456 hp and up to 325 miles of range, all for a starting price of $65,795. There’s also a sporty SQ6 e-tron with 509 hp that starts form $74,495, as well as a coupe-like Q6 e-tron Sportback. The crossovers have the same 94.4 kWh battery as the A6 sedan.
