The upcoming Audi A6 e-tron electric liftback, which will compete against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQE, is coming together ahead of its expected launch in 2023 as a 2024 model.
The German carmaker first showed off its near-production concept in 2021 and has now been spied testing a prototype version of the A6 e-tron with a set of production-ready headlights and tail lights in the snow.
These production-ready headlights feature an on-trend split design. The upper section appears to house LED daytime running lights and indicators, whereas the lower houses the low- and high-beam units.
The tail lights have a slim design and appear to potentially connect, although it’s hard to tell as camouflage is obscuring this.
Other notable changes from the concept includes traditional wing mirrors instead of camera pods, lift-up door handles, and a shorter rear deck with a liftback-style opening.
Along with the liftback version pictured here, the Audi A6 e-tron range will potentially grow to include a wagon, as previewed by the A6 Avant e-tron concept.
Under the skin, the Audi A6 e-tron will use the Platform Premium Electric (PPE) architecture being jointly developed by Audi and Porsche.
Both the Audi A6 e-tron and the Q6 e-tron SUV are set to be the first vehicles to launch on this platform.
A6 e-tron concept 
A6 Avant e-tron concept 
An all-electric Porsche Macan will also be based on the PPE architecture, though its launch was recently delayed until 2024.
The 2021 Audi A6 e-tron concept featured a 100kWh battery pack, and was said to have support for fast-charging at up to 270kW plus 700km of range under the WLTP test cycle.
At the time of the concept’s launch, Audi said the production A6 e-tron will be available in both rear- and all-wheel drive formats, with one variant said to have 350kW of power and 800Nm of torque at its disposal.
A high-performance RS6 e-tron version is reportedly in the works as well, according to Autocar late last year.
Given the A6 e-tron concept looked almost production-ready, and measured 4.96m long, 1.96m wide and 1.44m tall, we expect this prototype and the showroom-ready car to be around the same size.
Audi has committed to becoming an all-electric brand by 2033 in every market except China, with the European Union locking in new regulations that will ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars, SUVs, and light commercial vehicles from 2035.
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MORE: Audi A6 e-tron spied
