The Audi RS6 E-Tron is an electric performance saloon that pushes the brand in an exciting new direction. Recently revealed in spy shots, the car boasts some stunning features that could herald the future of electric performance at Audi.
Design features
Recent photos show the RS6 E-Tron being tested with cameras on the sides, suggesting that the brand could offer this technology on the production version of the car. The design of the RS6 E-Tron resembles previous models, with a trapezoidal opening in the lower fairing and vertical air curtains on the outer edges. The split headlights place the running lights on the end of the bonnet and overall, the front of the car is quite sleek.The car is fitted with dark five-spoke wheels with Y-shaped sections between each. The brake callipers are red. The roofline flows smoothly from the windscreen to the rear, continuing the theme of simple, sleek styling with a subtle spoiler. The horizontally oriented rear lights are partially visible in these images.
Performance and propulsion
Although specific details of the RS6 E-Tron’s powertrain have yet to be revealed, we can use the A6 E-Tron as a guide to what to expect. The A6 E-Tron has a total of 470bhp and 800Nm of torque, and can accelerate to 100kph in under four seconds. However, as RS models are generally more powerful and faster than the base vehicle, we can expect the RS6 E-Tron to perform even better. Indeed, there are even suggestions that the RS6 E-Tron could achieve around 600bhp.
Range and platform
The A6 E-Tron concept has a 100-kilowatt-hour battery and Audi estimates that it can travel 700 kilometres on a single charge. However, more powerful engines could reduce this range if Audi does not adapt to a higher-capacity version. It should be noted that the RS6 E-Tron will share the same platform as the A6 E-Tron, the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture.
Release date and price
The standard version of the A6 E-Tron is expected to arrive in 2024, with a possible presentation of the production version before the end of this year. RS versions, such as the RS6 E-Tron, usually arrive after the mainstream models, so we can expect the RS6 E-Tron to be unveiled a little later, perhaps in 2023. As for the price, there are no official figures yet, but given that the current RS6 Avant model already costs $116,500 before options, it’s likely that the RS6 E-Tron’s price will be even higher.