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The Audi RS6 e-tron wagon is no more. Maybe. That's what the CarBuzz spies are telling us, at least. Our latest spy photos have captured the EV that had been previously referred to as the RS6 in both sedan and Avant wagon forms, but that may not be the case. This could be a new version of the S6 e-tron. Whatever it is, it's going to be quick. And the latest round of photos suggest it will be a looker.
RennSport, Performance? Either Way, This Will Be A Quick Midsizer
Audi's A6-based faster e-tron models have been spotted testing on the road for what feels like forever. The first time we saw one of them was in 2023, and the prototypes of Audi's fast electric wagon have been wearing production bodywork under their thick suits since early 2024.
The standard version of the A6 e-tron was revealed in July 2024 and has been on sale for more than a year. The S6 went on sale at around the same time, but if this one isn't the S6, what is it? Our spies say it could be a new Performance grade, a model to fill the space between S6 and RS6.
Audi has used the name to mean a little bit extra in the past, on the RS e-tron GT Performance and on the gas RS6 Avant Performance. Both times it meant some extra horsepower, sharper handling, and more sound. But, it's worth noting that the name was applied to RS models. This would be the first time it's affixed to a lower trim.
Whatever the name, Audi hasn't changed the basics. The A6's slim cat whisker lights are vaguely reminiscent of a Genesis, but after more than a decade of Audi design being as bold as cream of wheat, it's a very pleasant change.
We can see the new fascia for the model under the covers. It changes up the look compared to the standard car by inverting the lower opening and enlarging the side inlet openings. There's also a slightly more aggressive lip and likely some more changes lurking underneath.
New side skirts poke out along the side of the car. They're there to put dirt on your pant legs add to the sporty look of the car. At the rear, the lower trim is reshaped to look more like a diffuser than the standard car's garnish.
Big Wheels, Big Brakes, Big Speed?
Larger wheels and tires with big brakes guarantee improvements in cornering grip and stopping performance. You can't see it, but the suspension is certainly firmer for sharper responses.
We don't know how much performance this Performance model might deliver, but we can make some guesses. The standard S6 e-tron makes 496 horsepower in most situations and 543 hp in launch control mode. This one, then, would likely bump that to at least 550 hp in standard mode and 600 hp in Launch Control, but is unlikely to go above 650 hp.
That should take some time off of the zero to 60 run. The S6 e-tron can do it in 3.7 seconds, so 3.6 or 3.5 is likely. At that point, more power and more acceleration are splitting hairs, but the difference should be more obvious on the move. And don't be fooled by the double charge doors on this car; this isn't a PHEV. Audi is adding a second charge door to some of its EVs for greater convenience, especially for on-street charging in Europe.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Expansion of a new performance grade from Audi is unusual, especially if it's being used in a new way. It could be a sign that Audi has decided its RS models need to be MORE than what they are now, especially in electric form. Then again, it might just be a sign that Audi has found new ways to extract cash from customers through more variety.
