The 2026 Audi RS 6 Sportback e-tron puts its sporty design to the service of digital

Audi recently took another major step into the battery-electric game with the unveiling of the 2025 A6 and S6 e-tron. The completely silent models come in Sportback and Avant body styles, taking aim at BMW’s i5 and Mercedes’ EQE.

Looking like an evolution of concepts revealed in 2021 and 2022, the 2025 Audi A6 e-tron is said to be the most aerodynamic model ever made by the four-ringed brand. It looks instantly recognizable as an Audi, has a familiar cabin that's largely carried over from the Q6 e-tron, and packs in a ton of features, some of which won't make it across the Atlantic due to U.S. regulations.

That’s right; if you haven’t heard about it yet, you won’t be able to enjoy some of the stuff that comes with the car overseas. Gadgets that won’t make it to the US-spec car include the adaptive matrix LED headlights and active digital light signature. Things like virtual side mirrors and car-to-X communication haven’t gotten a US visa and won’t be available here.

Based on the PPE platform, just like the Q6 e-tron and the Porsche Macan Electric vehicleThe 2025 Audi A6 e-tron range is offered with rear-wheel drive and All-wheel drive configurations. The base one is RWD and uses a single 362-hp (260 kW) motor. The quattro adds a second motor and increases output to 422 hp (300 kW). The S6 e-tron is also part of the lineup, bringing 543 horsepower to the party and all-wheel drive, taking 3.7 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62 mph).

But is that where the Audi A6 e-tron family ends? Well, for now, yes, but in the near future the German automaker will also expand the offering with a full RS model. The RS 6 e-tron will be at the top of the family and will offer more power than the new S6 e-tron. As you might imagine, the magic numbers are still unknown, although some media reports claim it could have a whopping 805 horsepower, more than enough for exciting daily trips.

It will also stand out from the A6 e-tron and S6 e-tron with a dedicated chassis setup, uprated brakes, and a sporty body kit. The cabin will feature some unique touches, such as front bucket seats, RS logos, and possibly unique upholstery. We’ll find out more about the RS 6 Sportback e-tron and RS 6 Avant e-tron when they debut, likely in a few months or early 2025, with order books expected to open next summer.

In the meantime, we can take a look at a digital model that tries to imagine its design. The renderings come from AscarissDesign and were shared on YouTube a few days ago, and for what it's worth, we think the digital model is pretty cool. But do you like it too?