Audi has been spotted testing its next-gen 2025 A6 and S6 e-tron sedan on the Nurburgring, with fully electric powertrains. It’ll be Audi’s first electric sedan.
Although sedans are dropping in popularity, it seems Audi is keen to keep them alive. We spotted a few prototype examples of the next-gen model on the Nurburgring recently, with lots of disorienting camouflage concealing the design.
The 2025 A6 will be based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform, shared with the upcoming Q6 e-tron and the next-gen electric Porsche Macan. This platform supports battery packs of up to around 100kWh, as suggested by the A6 E-Tron concept car unveiled in 2021 (above).
Speaking of which, the new A6’s design will no doubt be inspired by the concept. The very thin headlights are a dead giveaway on these prototypes, with a large front grille area that’s completely filled in.
In terms of specifications, it’s understood the A6 e-tron could produce around 350kW in flagship form, as indicated by the concept car. However, a ‘S6’ performance version could see power turned up to 450kW, like in the upcoming fully electric Macan.
Will there by an ‘RS 6 e-tron’? It’s unknown at this stage. Audi could overlap the existing V8 RS 6 as it winds down combustion engine production. But the V8 could be living on borrowed time.
The S6, or something similar (perhaps with a different name) is basically confirmed through this prototype. It’s seen wearing uprated brakes with red calipers, lowered suspension, and there’s even evidence of a flat-bottom steering wheel inside.
Expect a unique but neat aero package for the body as well, as per Audi ’S’ model tradition, as well as sports seats inside and various supporting trimmings.
Audi has suggested the new model will offer an extremely low drag coefficient of just 0.22, which will help it achieve very impressive range figures.
There’s speak of around 700km from a full battery, at least on the regular A6. It’ll also feature an 800V electric system that supports fast charging. In a statement from 2021, Audi said:
” …depending on the selected drive system and model version, an Audi A6 e-tron is expected to boast a range of more than 700 kilometers (based on the WLTP standard) in the future – and the most powerful members of the family will sprint from 0-100 km/h in less than four seconds.”
When will the new A6 e-tron arrive? A debut is expected to take place during the first half of next year, with market entry in some regions potentially starting late in 2024. The S6 performance model might be a few months apart.
