New entry-level Audi A6 e-tron undercuts BMW i5 rival on price

• Rear-motor model starts at £62,500
• £7,000 cheaper than the A6 e-tron Performance
• 382-mile range beats the BMW i5 eDrive40

Audi has countered the high price of its new all-electric A6 e-tron range compared to the much cheaper combustion model it replaces by introducing a new entry-level model more than £7,000 cheaper than the Performance, and a full £12,500 below the A6 e-tron quattro.

Dropping ‘quattro’ from the badge means the range now starts at £62,500, and uses a single, rear-mounted electric motor rather than the pair of motors (and all-wheel drive) of the quattro. Some of the cost saving also comes from the battery, since the new models get a smaller 83kWh pack (of which 76kWh is usable) compared to the quattro’s 100kWh battery.

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With a single motor, you do get a drop in power compared to the 456bhp A6 e-tron quattro, with the new car coming in at 322bhp and 435Nm of torque. At the same time, the entry-level car still offers 382 miles of range (361 miles in Avant estate form) – a drop compared to the 463 miles of the e-tron Performance, but still competitive for the segment, being greater than the 356 miles offered by a BMW i5 eDrive40.

Performance too takes a small dip, with the rear-drive A6 now getting from 0-62mph in 6.0 seconds, compared to the 5.4 seconds of the Performance and 4.5 seconds of the e-tron quattro, though once again the A6 is competitive, matching the basic i5’s acceleration time. That figure is with the car’s launch control function, though it’s difficult to imagine many owners using that – ordinarily, 0-62mph takes a still-brisk 7.0 seconds. Top speed of both the Sportback and Avant variants is 130mph.

What else do I need to know about the Audi A6 e-tron?

Charging isn’t quite as quick as the larger-battery cars at 225kW compared to 270kW – another place Audi has economised to pass on the savings. But since the battery is smaller to begin with, the brand claims the same 21-minute figure for a 10-80% top-up, provided the public rapid charger you’re using can deliver enough power. An 11kW home charger can fully charge the car from flat in eight hours.

The range on A6 e-tron, Performance, and quattro models steps up from Sport, to S Line and Edition 1, each adding more equipment as it goes. Sport gets 20-inch alloy wheels, an 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit display and 14.5-inch MMI infotainment screen, S Line adds sportier body styling and privacy glass, and Edition 1 steps up to 21-inch wheels, matrix LED headlights, and microfibre interior trim. The A6 range still tops out with the 542bhp S6 Sportback e-tron, with a 3.9-second 0-62mph time and 405-mile range.

How much does the entry-level Audi A6 e-tron cost and when can I buy one?

A6 e-tron pricing now starts at £62,500 for a Sport model in Sportback form and around £2,000 more for an Avant. S Line trim adds £3,500, and Edition 1 is another £5,000 on top of that. The S6 sits atop the range with a £97,500 starting price. The new entry-level car is available to order from October 31.

Read our in-depth review of the closely-related Audi Q6 e-tron or check out our list of the best electric cars