A new Audi S6 is being developed and it’ll feature the model’s biggest change yet – the swap to pure-electric power. An RS 6 version of Audi’s upcoming EV saloon is on the cards but for a short while at least, the S6 e-tron will spearhead Audi’s executive EV line up.
We’ve spotted what looks to be Audi’s performance saloon testing on the Nurburgring, sporting a number of cosmetic tweaks over the A6 e-tron. Like the regular A6 e-tron, we expect the S6 version to continue to be offered in the practical ‘Avant’ estate bodystyle.
The car’s design looks set to shun the aggressive styling of cars like the current petrol-powered RS 6 Avant with the all-electric S6 e-tron model taking on a more subtle appearance similar to the current Audi S6 model. There’s no bespoke front bumper or wide body kit here, the lower front air intake is the same as the regular A6 e-tron’s and the split headlights look unchanged too. Beneath the camouflage there may be a revised grille, however.
A new set of larger alloys has appeared on this test car, sitting over a set of red painted brake calipers. To the rear we see the same light bar as on the standard cars, but a more prominent rear diffuser has been added.
The S6 e-tron will use Audi’s new PPE architecture, which the firm claims can offer a range of over 434 miles. The 100kWh battery will be focused slightly more on performance than outright range with the S6 version and we expect the range to suffer as a result. The current V6 diesel powered S6 Avant develops 338bhp and with a touted 469bhp being offered in the regular Audi A6 e-tron, a huge power jump is in store for the S6.
With a dual-motor set up on board and instantaneous torque available, we certainly expect the Audi S6 e-tron to best the current S6’s 5.1-second 0-62mph time.
The Audi will have plenty of performance executive EV rivals to contend with when it launches in 2024, such as BMW’s i5 M60 and the Lotus Envya.
Now read our full in-depth review of the Audi Q8 e-tron…
