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

By Jeremy Taylor & Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby

1 week 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’m just as equally enthused by the electrified A6 Avant. It isn’t as roomy inside as the BMW 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 high-tech 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 both 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 aluminum-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 – bang opposite the castle, in fact. In celebration, the family-run hotel group has purchased enough tartan to keep Scotland’s weavers in business for years. Walls, bedspreads, curtains – even the ‘welcome’ screen on the TV is tartan.

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

Incredible – and a refreshing change from the riot of tartan soft furnishings, gilt-edged paintings and black paintwork. I swear, after tucking up in a super-comfy bed, my dreams were fringed in tartan too.

And the food?

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

All sounds very yummy.

It was and I suggest making time for an epic afternoon tea. The very brave can also squeeze in a whisky tasting, or take a pre-dinner wander around Scotland’s capital, which is right on the doorstep.

Red Carnation boasts the blue ribband of hotel staff, be it Ashford Castel in Ireland, or The Milestone in London. Was it the same at 100 Princes Street?

Certainly was. Nothing could fluster them, nothing was too much trouble, nothing was left to chance. Brilliant.