When Audi revealed the A6 E-Tron Concept back in April 2021, there was a very big elephant in the room: The A6 name. Despite the fact that it featured A7-like proportions, like the four-door coupe body, for example, Audi chose the A6 name instead, and there’s actually a logical reason.

The A6 E-Tron Represents Audi’s New EV Direction

Audi’s first production vehicle to ride on the Premium Electric Platform (PPE) is expected to arrive in 2022, and there’s a good chance that it’ll be the Q6 E-Tron SUV. But, after that, Audi needs to strengthen its EV lineup and it needs to do it quick. The A6 E-Tron will likely be the next to follow, but that name is throwing people off a bit given it’s A7-like characteristics. Now, we understand Audi’s reasoning and it’s probably because there will be other derivatives of the A6 EV coming, and that comes from none other than Audi’s Chief of Development, Johannes Arneth, in an interview with Autocar:

So, what derivatives could the A6 E-Tron turn into? Well, there could be a coupe and\or shooting brake, but more than likely it’ll be an A6 E-Tron Avant. How can we draw this conclusion? It falls back to Audi’s decision to use the A6 name instead of A7. If you haven’t noticed the A7 has never been offered as a wagon or Avant, as Audi calls them. The A6, however, has been successfully sold as an Avant for years, and it only makes sense that the brand offers an electric wagon sooner rather than later – especially in markets like Europe where wagons are major market contenders.

It’s Not Quite So Easy for an Electric A6 Wagon To Happen

As of now, neither the A6 or RS6 Avant ride on the PPE platform and it’s not even a for-sure thing that Audi would even be able to retrofit an electric powertrain into the A6 as we know it today. It probably wouldn’t even be a good idea. But, as the next generation rolls around, and Audi gets itself elbow deep into the PPE architecture, slapping a next-gen body on the PPE structure to create an A^ or RS6 Avant is definitely doable. Plus. Audi will be able to immediately fill the hole that is left by the retirement of the current RS6. Naturally, the fastback sedan will hit the production line first, but as is the usual case, the Avant probably won’t be that far behind.