The Audi RS 6 e-tron recently became the focus of our spy photographer's camera lens, as a prototype was snapped in action at the Nurburgring in Germany and on the roads surrounding the infamous racetrack.
You do know what an RS 6 e-tron is, don't you? Think of it as a battery-electric alternative to the upcoming RS 7, offered in two body styles: sedan and station wagon, with the latter being known as the Avant. Audi's new naming scheme uses even numbers for its EVs and odd numbers for its ICE-powered machines.
To our untrained eye, this tester looks ready for production. These are the most revealing spy shots of the car, which features dual headlamps at the front, a sizeable air intake in the front bumper, intricate side vents, flush-mounted door handles, a trunk-lid spoiler, a sporty rear diffuser, vents behind the front fenders, and chunky side skirts.
Zooming in on certain pictures will reveal that the upcoming Audi RS 6 e-tron features two charging ports, one on each rear quarter panel. The car also gets large alloys wrapped in sticky tires, uprated brakes compared to the non-RS flavors, and a sporty suspension setup that appears to have shaved a couple of inches (or maybe less) from the ground clearance.
Photo: SH Proshots
The interior has yet to reveal its secrets, though reports speak about a layout similar to that of the Q6 e-tron. If that's the case, we may be looking at the same 14.5-inch infotainment, 11.9-inch digital gauges, and maybe a 10.9-inch display in front of the person riding shotgun. Customers should also look forward to a pair of bucket seats up front, exclusive upholstery and trim, and a few other gizmos that will set it apart from the lesser flavors.
As you are already aware, the Audi RS 6 e-tron utilizes the PPE architecture shared with the Q6 e-tron and Porsche's Macan Electric. The former packs a dual-motor setup with all-wheel drive in the SQ6 derivative, enjoying 510 horsepower (517 ps/380 kW) combined for 0-60 mph (0-97 kph) in 4.2 seconds. The latter is good for 630 hp (639 ps/470 kW) in the Turbo variant and is 1.1 seconds faster than its cousin from the four-ring brand.
But how much power does the RS 6 e-tron have? That's a question that we cannot answer yet, but in all likelihood, it will boast over 700 electric horses. Certain outlets speak of over 800 horsepower combined, which may sound very impressive, yet it wouldn't pose a threat to Tesla's Model S Plaid. A Performance variant could be in the making, and it is this one that might take a swing at the range-topping Model S. We will probably find out more about it this summer, which is when the RS 6 e-tron is expected to premiere.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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