5 Minutes
Audi reportedly cancels the RS 6 e-tron
Audi has reportedly pulled the plug on the RS 6 e-tron project just as the car was entering its final development stages. According to insider reporting cited by TopGear, the four-ring brand decided to halt the electric high-performance Avant before launch. While Audi has not issued an official statement, sources indicate that the high-powered PPE-based wagon is no longer moving forward.
What was the RS 6 e-tron expected to be?
Platform and powertrain
The RS 6 e-tron was planned on Audi’s PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture and industry chatter suggested a combined output in the neighborhood of 800 horsepower — enough to put it squarely into the electric super-wagon category. The PPE platform is engineered for high-voltage, fast-charging EVs and had allowed Audi to target both extreme performance and usable range.
Design cues
Early spy photos and styling sketches suggested a muscular, BMW-esque rear haunch and a widened stance designed to differentiate the RS 6 e-tron from its S6 e-tron sibling. The Avant body was expected to combine practical luggage capacity with aggressive aerodynamic elements and RS-specific trim.
What remains in the A6 e-tron family?
Audi’s S6 e-tron will now stay as the flagship of the A6 e-tron series. Key specifications for the S6 e-tron include:
- Combined output: up to 543 hp (551 PS / 405 kW)
- Drivetrain: standard all-wheel drive
- 0–60 mph (0–97 kph): approximately 3.7 seconds
- Fast-charging capability: up to 270 kW DC
- EPA estimated range: 324 miles (521 km) on 20-inch wheels
- 10–80% public DC charge time: around 21 minutes
The S6 e-tron is offered in Sportback (liftback) and Avant (wagon) body styles; however, Audi currently sells only the S6 Sportback in some markets, where its MSRP is listed at $78,700. The A6 e-tron (regular) is also offered as a Sportback only in markets where it’s available, starting from $65,900 and claiming up to a 392-mile (631 km) range in optimal configurations.
Performance, charging and real-world usability
Even without the RS-badged EV, the S6 e-tron delivers strong performance for an executive electric car: rapid acceleration, standard AWD traction, and high-speed charging capability that makes it practical for long-distance travel. The PPE architecture’s ability to accept 270 kW DC charging remains a major selling point for buyers who demand both speed and range.
Market positioning and why Audi may have canceled the RS 6 e-tron
Several factors likely informed Audi’s decision: development costs for an ultra-high-power electric Avant; shifting EV demand patterns globally; price sensitivity in the high-performance EV segment; and internal product prioritization as Audi balances EV rollouts with profitable ICE and hybrid models.
Reports suggest Audi chose to concentrate resources on models with clearer demand curves and better profitability. The RS 6 e-tron, imagined as an 800-hp halo wagon, may have represented a niche too narrow to justify further investment amid a challenging EV market.
What about the internal-combustion and hybrid RS 6?
Not all is lost for fans of high-performance wagons. Testing has continued on the next internal-combustion and hybrid RS 6 variants. Early indications point to a plug-in hybrid V6 setup that could deliver in excess of 725 hp combined — potentially edging ahead of the BMW M5 Touring in combined system output. There are also rumors that Audi might retain a V8 option for the RS 6, preserving the traditional exhaust note and a clear performance gap between the RS 6 and the upcoming RS 5, which is expected to use a twin-turbo V6 PHEV.
Comparisons: RS 6 e-tron vs S6 e-tron vs BMW rivals
If the RS 6 e-tron had reached production, it would have aimed at electric performance rivals with similar horsepower figures, but its cancellation leaves the S6 e-tron as the top electric A6 derivative. On the ICE/PHEV side, the upcoming RS 6 PHEV or V8 variants will square off against the BMW M5 Touring and other performance wagons, competing on horsepower, torque delivery, handling dynamics, and practical luggage space.
Conclusion: A strategic pause or market-driven retreat?
Audi’s reported decision to kill the RS 6 e-tron reflects the complexities manufacturers face when balancing electrification, performance credibility, and commercial viability. While the all-electric RS idea may be shelved, the brand’s commitment to a high-performance RS 6 — whether PHEV or V8 — appears intact. For enthusiasts, that means the spirit of the RS 6 will likely survive, even if the purely electric Avant does not.
What do you think of Audi’s move to reportedly cancel the RS 6 e-tron given current EV market conditions? Share your view below.
Source: autoevolution
Leave a Comment