General Motors has no vehicle model that directly challenges the freshly debuted Audi A6 e-tron, an all-electric luxury sports sedan occupying a space in the market where Cadillac no longer offers any models.
The Audi A6 is unchallenged by GM’s premium brand because Cadillac has no station wagons or liftback sedans aside from the Cadillac Celestiq, which is too expensive to be a direct competitor for the premium, but still accessible A6.
According to the press release, the Audi A6 will be offered in the U.S. in three different versions, namely the “A6 e-tron, A6 e-tron quattro, and S6 e-tron Sportback variants.” However, there will be no A6 Avant e-tron in the United States, with the wagon configuration of the sedan sold in other global markets instead. All American models will have the Sportback body style.
The exterior features aggressive and highly aerodynamic sculpting, which both provides eye-catching aesthetics and a drag coefficient of 0.21 Cd. The extremely aerodynamic shape will help to reduce energy use for propulsion and thus increases range significantly. The two A6 variants boast seven available exterior colors, while the range-topping S6 offers eight.
The interior features a panoramic display consisting of an 11.9-inch “virtual cockpit,” a 14.5-inch touchscreen, and a 10.9-inch screen for the passenger. A digital head-up display (HUD) is also part of the Audi A6 tech suite, though it’s unknown at this point if it will be offered on the U.S. model. The interior also features premium materials, dynamic lighting, and a four-zone A/C system with “aroma” dispensers.
As for motivation, electric motors and a 100 kWh electric battery provide 362 horsepower for the base e-tron with RWD, 422 horsepower for the AWD quattro, and 496 horsepower for the S6. Output for the S6 jumps to 543 horses when launch control is activated. U.S. ranges are not yet available, but the vehicle’s aerodynamics (likely to be reduced by American mirror requirements) provide a 447-mile range (750 km) on a single charge to Europe-configured vehicles.
Audi’s challenge to Cadillac continues to expand, with the 2025 Audi Q6 was unveiled earlier this year as a competitor to the Cadillac Lyriq and Cadillac Lyriq-V. The Cadillac CT5 and the Cadillac CT5-V will be challenged respectively by the next-generation Audi A5 and S5, while the Audi Q9 will rival the Cadillac Escalade in the full-size luxury SUV category. Finally, the refreshed 2025 Audi Q7 is a luxury three-row crossover going head-to-head versus the Cadillac XT6.
It’s unclear at this point if the Audi A6 and S6 will debut as 2025 or 2026 model-year vehicles in the United States. However, a 2026 model year launch seems likely given that the European variant won’t debut until September 2024, probably leaving too little time for a 2025 U.S. model-year launch.
Pricing for the vehicle ranges from 75,600 euros to 101,150 euros in the European market, or approximately $81,600 to $109,170. Pricing for the USA has not yet been announced.
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It looks like a really bad customized Ford Fusion….
Why do no cars actually look good anymore? Audi has been one of the few bright spots stylistically in recent years eschewing the overwrought looks of competitors in favor of clean tasteful looks. Now comes this ugly lump with a clunky heavy rocker panel made even worse by cheap-looking black plastic. I don’t understand what has happened to good taste.
If Audi prices this close to the current A6, they have a hit on their hands.
Nicely done.
BEV's will hopefully be the reason that will allow Cadillac to finally offer properly sized Model 3/5/7 competitors.
I think Cadillac should follow Audi and offer 5 Door vehicles instead of traditional Four Door sedans with Trunks.
Gives me slight Malibu vibes, but thicc.
Uglier, bloated ford fusion. Pretty sad that's the best they could come up with
I like it. I will buy one as soon as it becomes available in the US.
Audi's hideous take on the weird looking Toyota Crown even cribbing the odd oversized black side rocker molding.