4 Minutes
A familiar name makes a comeback
Audi Sport is reviving a legend. After more than a decade without a proper RS6 sedan — the model last appeared in the C6 generation around 2011 — the Ingolstadt-based brand has been spotted testing a new four-door RS6. Spy shots and digital renderings have reignited interest in a car that could squarely target the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid.
What we saw on the road (and online)
Prototype images from test sessions show a package that largely retains the RS DNA up front and inside the cabin while rethinking the rear end and cargo space. That aligns with reports that Audi will offer both an RS6 Avant and the newly revived RS6 sedan, broadening Audi Sport's halo lineup as it adopts the PPC and PPE platforms for combustion and electrified models.
Digital artist Nikita Chuicko, known online as 'kelsonik', has already produced striking CGI comparisons that place the RS6 sedan in a winter setting and alongside the BMW M5. These unofficial visuals give a first impression of what an aggressive sedan silhouette could look like — wide haunches, pronounced wheel arches, and a planted stance that hints at quattro all-wheel drive performance.
Highlights from the test mules
- Retained cockpit layout and front fascia styling reminiscent of recent RS models
- Completely revised rear and trunk area to fit sedan proportions
- Likely continuation of Audi's performance-focused interior cues
Powertrain and performance expectations
Audi has stayed tight-lipped about exact specifications, but electrification appears certain. To compete with rivals like the BMW M5, which pairs a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with a plug-in hybrid system for roughly 717 hp in current form, Audi will likely offer a high-output hybrid powertrain — a mix of turbocharged combustion and electric assistance that favors instant torque and refined performance.
Quattro all-wheel drive will be standard on performance variants, reinforcing traction in low-grip situations and enhancing launch capability. Expect adaptive suspension, carbon-ceramic brake options on higher-spec variants, and drive modes tuned for both track and comfortable grand touring.
Market position and competitors
The RS6 sedan — alongside the Avant — will help Audi Sport directly challenge Mercedes-AMG's E-class performance models and BMW's M5 range, including Touring versions. For buyers who want four-door practicality without sacrificing extreme performance, the RS6 sedan could be a compelling alternative, particularly if Audi balances hybrid efficiency with strong horsepower figures.
Quote: 'Bringing back the RS6 sedan is a strategic move — a statement that Audi still wants to fight on both style and performance,' says a market analyst following European performance brands.
What to watch for next
- Official Audi confirmation of powertrain specs and launch timing
- Further spy shots revealing final design details
- Price positioning versus BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid
Whether rendered in pixels or seen in camo on public roads, the 2027 RS6 sedan already feels like a deliberate reply to its German rivals. Audi's challenge will be to deliver an RS6 that blends modern hybrid performance with the emotive character enthusiasts expect from a true high-performance sedan.
Stay tuned: more concrete specs and an official reveal are likely to follow as Audi tightens development and prepares to reintroduce this storied nameplate to the performance sedan segment.
Source: autoevolution
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