Test Drive: Audi’s All-Electric A6 Avant e-tron

By Jeremy Taylor & Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby

3 hours ago

This German load-lugger is one of the few all-electric estates

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Test Drive: Audi's All-Electric A6 Avant e-tron

Motoring editor Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby discuss the Audi A6 Avant e-tron at one of Scotland’s newest luxury hotels.

Car Review: Audi A6 Avant e-tron

JT-P – Hang on, that’s two electric estate cars in a couple of months – are the days of the ubiquitous SUV finally numbered?

JT – After driving the rather brilliant BMW i5 Touring, I didn’t expect Audi’s electrified A6 Avant e-tron to be anywhere near as good. It isn’t as roomy inside, but the Audi is decked out with the most delightful cabin.

Better than the BMW – it must be special!

Just different and very futuristic. Expect a large head-up display, a new 14.5-inch centre screen and a tech-heavy ‘virtual cockpit’ for the driver. The instrumentation could prove daunting at first, especially if this is your first dalliance with EVs.

I bet you didn’t like the camera mirrors on the doors of our Launch Edition test car?

Correct! Hated it. They project an image onto the ends of the dashboard and simply don’t work as well as a mirror. I did like the huge sunroof with a switchable transparency control and the aluminium-look trim. Very slick.

So, a rather different vibe to 100 Princes Street?

You could say that! This is Red Carnation’s first property in Scotland and boasts a prime position in the heart of the capital. In celebration, the luxury hotel group has purchased enough tartan to keep Scotland’s weavers in business for years. Walls, bedspreads, curtains – even the toilet roll is tied up in tartan ribbon.

Crickey! Epic view though, across Princes Street Gardens and up to Edinburgh Castle?

Incredible – and terrific from The Wallace, which is more of a lounge eatery than a restaurant – cosy and bijous. The menu targets traditional Scottish fare – lobster roll, salmon – skilfully mixed with international favourites, such as Tuna Nicoise and Classic Caesar. The neighbouring Ghillie’s Pantry houses over 100 different whiskies. A dark aesthetic continues throughout the public areas.