by Audi is preparing a more powerful version of the S6 e-tron
Last year, rumors emerged that Audi had decided to discontinue the development of the RS6 e-tron. This caused surprise, as prototypes of the car were spotted shortly afterward.
Since September last year, there has been almost no news about the model, but prototypes were recently spotted again near the Nürburgring. According to reports, this is not a full RS version, but a Performance variant, which may explain the rumors about the development being halted.
More: RS6 E-Tron Spotted Testing Despite Rumors of Project Closure
More aggressive design and sporty elements
The car looks significantly more aggressive than the S6 Sportback e-tron. It features a unique front bumper with redesigned air intakes that have horizontal slats on the edges. These are complemented by vertical air curtains and a familiar honeycomb mesh structure.
The sporty style continues further: the prototype has new ventilation openings on the front fenders and sporty-looking side skirts. Large wheels are also noticeable, complemented by a high-performance braking system with red calipers.
Changes at the rear are less noticeable, but upon closer inspection, a new bumper and a sportier diffuser can be seen. They are complemented by a familiar spoiler, which appears to have been carried over from the standard S6.
Two body types and interior
The model will be offered in Sportback and Avant body styles. The Avant version prototype has different wheels, but otherwise, it is almost identical to its sibling.
Spy photographers did not manage to get a good look at the interior, but it is likely to have a familiar layout: an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch infotainment system, and an optional 10.9-inch display for the front passenger. These will be complemented by a sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel and sport seats.
Specifications and power
Technical specifications remain a mystery, but the S6 e-tron has a 100 kWh battery pack that powers an all-wheel-drive system with two motors producing up to 543 hp (405 kW / 550 PS). This allows the model to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.7 seconds, reaching a top speed of 149 mph (240 km/h). The car also supports fast DC charging at 270 kW, allowing the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in approximately 20 minutes.
The S6 e-tron Performance version will undoubtedly be more powerful. Rumors previously suggested that the RS6 e-tron could have around 805 hp (600 kW / 816 PS). However, this figure seems overly optimistic if the model does not receive full RS equipment.
Interestingly, the appearance of a “hot” version of the S6 e-tron instead of the expected RS6 may indicate a shift in Audi’s strategy. Instead of launching a separate flagship RS model, the company seems to be betting on strengthening the existing S lineup. This allows it to maintain a sporty image without spending resources on developing an entirely new car. At the same time, power exceeding 600 hp makes this version very close to the RS level, which could confuse buyers but also allows Audi to position the model more flexibly in the electric vehicle market.
