Audi - Repair and Service Redwood City - 2025 Audi A6 Sportback E-Tron complements gas-powered A6 for $67,195 - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

 

 

 

Audi in July took the covers off the new A6 Sportback E-Tron and its S6 Sportback E-Tron performance variants.

Available as a Sportback hatchback or Avant wagon, depending on the market, the A6 E-Tron was planned to take over for the current A6 range as part of Audi's goal to phase out all internal-combustion vehicles by the early 2030s. The automaker's last vehicle launched with a gas or diesel engine was originally set for as soon as 2026. Plans have since shifted, as the automaker has walked back its naming strategy to split EV and gas-powered nameplates and will add plug-in hybrids to its lineup.

On Wednesday, Audi said the 2025 A6 E-Tron Sportback will cost $67,195 including a $1,295 destination charge when it arrives this summer with up to 392 miles of range.

The A6 E-Tron is the second vehicle from Audi to ride on Volkswagen Group's PPE (Premium Platform Electric) dedicated EV platform which debuted earlier in 2024 in the Audi Q6 E-Tron and Porsche Macan EV siblings. The 800-volt platform enables DC fast-charging at rates of up to 270 kw, which allows the standard 100-kwh battery to charge from 10-80% in as little as 21 minutes.

New Audi S6 E-Tron Sportback

Concept car good looks

The A6 E-Tron was previewed in 2021 by a concept car of the same name, and the production version closely resemble the striking show car. There are split headlights up front, which flank a sealed-off grille and sit atop a blacked out front fascia that gives the car a wide-mouth look. At the rear, the Audi logo is illuminated and forms part of a LED light strip for the taillights.

The A6 E-Tron measures 194 inches long, or a few inches shorter than the Tesla Model S. It has a long 116-inch wheelbase, which should result in a roomy cabin. Audi says there's plenty of space for four adults. Rear storage space is 26 cubic feet as standard or 40 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

The interior design is the same as what Audi uses in the Q6 E-Tron, meaning a curved panel angled toward the driver and integrating an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the Android-based infotainment system.

For buyers who can't imagine an empty space not filled by a screen, Audi offers a 10.9-inch touchscreen for use by the front passenger. This third screen can be used to control some vehicle functions as well as display video. A so-called digital blind means the driver won't be distracted. Additional controls are located on the driver's door and on the center console, and a head-up display with augmented reality can be added.

New Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback

 Three powertrains for U.S. at launch

In the U.S., the A6 E-Tron will be offered with the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. The S6 E-Tron will come exclusively with the latter.

With rear-wheel drive for $67,195, a single motor delivering a maximum 362 hp will spin the rear axle, and Audi estimates a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds. Upgrading to all-wheel drive for $69,195 will add a dual-motor setup rated at a maximum of 422 hp, or enough for 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.3 seconds. Top speed will be limited to 130 mph for both configurations.

The S6 E-Tron will come with a dual-motor powertrain delivering 496 hp, extendable to 543 hp briefly when using launch control; it will cost $79,995. With launch control activated, Audi estimates the S6 E-Tron will hustle to 60 mph from rest in 3.7 seconds. The top speed for this model is limited to 149 mph.

The S6 E-Tron isn't likely to be the end of the performance road for the A6 E-Tron family. Though it's yet to be confirmed, a high-performance RS 6 E-Tron model is thought to be in the works.

New Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback

 

Audi A6 Sportback E-Tron range

Audi hasn't detailed the full A6 Sportback E-Tron lineup's range ratings, but said with the Ultra package (Audi speak for efficiency package) the EV will have an EPA-estimated 392 miles of range.

Due to current regulations, the U.S. will miss out on technologies like matrix LED headlights, car-to-X communication, and light signatures that can be customized. The U.S. will also miss out on the A6 E-Tron's camera-based side mirrors, Audi has confirmed.

source:https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1143980_audi-a6-e-tron-sportback-revealed

 

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com

Mercedes - Repair and Service Redwood City - 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class EV - Bosch European (650) 368-3000

 

 

A redesigned GLB-Class compact crossover is shaping up to be the second member of Mercedes-Benz's next-generation compact family, following the redesigned CLA-Class, which debuted in March as a 2026 model for the U.S.

A prototype for the new GLB-Class has been spotted again, with production details like the lights and wheels. The prototype is for an electric model to replace the current EQB (Mercedes is moving away from the EQ naming practice), but a hybrid version is also planned. Both versions are expected to arrive on the market in 2026, likely reaching the U.S. as 2027 models.

The GLB-Class prototype is heavily camouflaged, but the overall shape appears to be an evolution of the current generation, with a slightly rounder front end. The new headlights can be partially seen and feature a Mercedes star logo for the daytime running lights and turn signals. The rear section has more extensive camouflage, but it appears boomerang-style taillights are used, possibly joined by a light strip.

Part of the digital gauge cluster is visible in some of the images. As seen in the new CLA-Class, the new compact family features a dashboard with a wide panel integrating screens for the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system, along with circular vents for climate control.

The vehicle rides on Mercedes' new MMA platform, which is designed primarily for EVs but also accommodates hybrid powertrains. For MMA-based EVs, which will use the with EQ Technology designation, Mercedes will offer a choice of single-motor rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrains. Once again looking to the new CLA-Class, the rear-wheel-drive GLB-Class should be a GLB 250+ with EQ Technology powered by a 268-hp motor at the rear, while the all-wheel-drive model should be a GLB 350 4Matic with EQ Technology, adding a 107-hp front motor to the 268-hp rear motor. The front motor is designed to activate during high loads or when slip is detected. More powerful AMG-tuned variants likely coming with axial-flux electric motors and close to 500 hp are also planned.

An 800-volt electrical system will enable high-speed charging with a DC fast charger. The battery should be the same 85.5-kwh (usable) lithium-ion unit that features in the new CLA-Class, and should offer up close to 300 miles of range on the EPA test cycle.

For hybrids, which will be designated as with EQ Hybrid Technology, expect a newly developed 1.5-liter turbo-4 paired with a 27-hp electric motor sandwiched between the gas engine and an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The total system output should be about 187 hp. The battery will be a 1.3-kwh lithium-ion unit mounted under the driver’s seat. Front-wheel drive will be standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option.

 

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1145337_2027-mercedes-benz-glb-class-ev-spy-shots

 

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com