Audi Sport your way: new RS6 e-Tron EV will sit alongside plug-in hybrid RS7

Published: 22 January 2025

► All-electric Audi RS6 saloon and Avant testing
► RS6 e-Tron models incoming from 2025
► PPE platform capable of super-powered EVs

Audi Sport’s ultimate performance car will return in 2025 with a split personality, launching as an RS6 e-Tron available as a Sportback and Avant estate as well as an RS7 that uses combustion power.

As Audi’s play-it-safe powertrain strategy rolls out, the brand will use both the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture as well as the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) platform. Like the rest of the future Audi range, the even-numbered RS6 will be an EV badged with e-Tron tagging, while the RS7 will be a plug-in hybrid.

Our image above, illustrated by Andrei Avarvarii, imagines how the next-generation RS6 e-Tron Avant will look. It’ll use the latest-generation A6 design and structure and will be Audi Sport-ified; a more aggressive face, blistered arches, huge wheels and much more besides. The only design differences? An open grille and exposed exhaust tailpipes on the RS7.

An electric RS6 and hybrid RS7? Tell me more…

Let’s start with the e-Tron model. PPE enables an 800-volt electrical architecture for fast charging, and CAR’s sources predict a power output of 630bhp and around 830lb ft from the twin-motor setup. Expect a sizeable range, given the standard A6 e-Tron‘s max range pushing north of 400 miles.

‘The PPE platform offers us plenty of performance to realise such an [electric] RS6,’ A6 marketing boss Niko Martens told us way back in 2022. ‘Sportiness is independent of the powertrain concept,’ adds Martens. ‘On the contrary, with electric cars you can have an even sportier possibility.’

Naturally, though, not everyone wants an EV – which is why we’ll also see this plug-in hybrid RS7 to match. Sadly, the V8 is out, as Audi replaces it with a V6 plug-in hybrid powertrain that it intends to work for a living by spanning across this and the smaller RS5 range. Our sources indicate that power will differ between the RS5 and RS7 via scalable electric motors; the smaller Audi Sport exec is likely to be good for around 600bhp, while the RS7 is earmarked for around 725bhp.

The V6 plug-in powertrain also includes a Boost function, kicking in around 50bhp for limited-time bursts, and you can expect carefully choreographed and fully customisable drive modes. Not enough power? Don’t worry, uprated Performance versions pushing around 800bhp will be waiting in the wings after the initial launch.

Any other clever tech expected?

As well as the boost function, Audi could also use technology already in service elsewhere. It’s not confirmed for being used here, but the most interesting is the Group’s active suspension that’s available on the brand’s own e-Tron GT (which, in turn, was evolved from the S8 limo), and something that Porsche has pilfered for its latest Panamera and Taycan models. This could give the new RS6 e-Tron some real dynamism to take on BMW’s heavyweight M5. And trust us, that suspension works – perhaps a little too well.

We’re expecting Audi Sport’s new super-powered execs to be revealed in 2025.

By Jake Groves

CAR's deputy news editor; gamer, trainer freak and serial Lego-ist

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