RAY MASSEY: Audi’s new electrical A6 e-tron is charged with pleasure

It’s the most aerodynamic Audi ever, claims the manufacturer. Which makes the sporty five-door Audi A6 e-tron a sharp customer – speeding along effortlessly like a hot knife through butter.

And after clocking up hundreds of miles in the new model, I should know.

The all-electric A6 e-tron has been launched in two versions: a coupe-like Sportback and the Avant estate, carrying a £1,800 premium.

I’ve been piloting the estate for a week, ahead of the petrol and diesel alternatives to be launched at the beginning of March.

Fully charged, my car’s on-screen system predicted a range of 280 miles – enough to get from London to Durham – but less than the officially claimed 402 miles which would get me onwards to Edinburgh.

The A6 e-tron is not cheap. There are four performance levels, e-tron, performance, quattro and S6 e-tron, and three trim grades, Sport, S-line and the top-spec Edition 1.

Effortless drive: The handsome A6 e-tron is the most aerodynamic Audi ever, claims the manufacturer

The least expensive model to buy, from £62,500, is the entry-level A6 e-tron Sportback Sport, which has the smaller 83kWh battery and a range of 383 miles, accelerating from 0 to 62mph in 6 seconds. Prices then rise all the way up to the range-topping S6 e-tron, which is all-wheel drive, packs 551hp and does 0 to 62mph in a super-car chasing 3.9 seconds. It costs from £75,500.

If you’re feeling really flush, the most expensive fully-specced S6 Avant estate in Edition 1 trim starts from £99,300.

My car was the A6 e-tron performance with top Edition 1 spec, plus extras, which took the final price, as driven, up to £87,350.

These included a vast panoramic glass roof, big 21in Audi Sport wheels, electronic rear-view cameras in lieu of mirrors, a great augmented reality sat-nav and head-up display, and a super Bang & Olufsen stereo teamed with headrest speakers.

My handsome Audi exhibited dark and brooding looks – like a 21st century automotive Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. There are four drive modes – balanced, dynamic, comfort and efficient – and comfortable sports seats in the spacious and well thought out cabin.

I found ‘balanced’ a well-tuned and engaging mode, and stuck with it mostly. It’s great for cruising through the countryside and mile-munching on motorways.

But on twisting lanes, the ‘dynamic’ option tightened the sinews and offered a more aggressive mode.

Over a few hundred miles of travel, I found the A6 e-tron an impressive and sophisticated car to drive.

All that with plenty of room for passengers in the back and a 502-litre boot.

Citroen campervan to be unveiled 

Citroen’s Holidays campervan, will be unveiled at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show (ccmshow.co.uk) next week.

Sleeping up to four and with a kitchen, pop-up, retractable roof, and swivelling front seats, the new Holidays is based on Citroen’s updated SpaceTourer.

Stylish: The new Holidays is based on Citroen’s updated SpaceTourer

The kitchen has two gas burners, sink, and 16-litre refrigerator. There’s also the option of a rear-mounted shower with a 25-litre tank and removable toilet.

The diesel Citroen Holidays on-the-road price is £55,285.

The show will be held at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre from February 18 to 23 and will be spread over five halls.