Audi S6 Sportback e-tron First Drive Review

At the international media drive of the new A6 e-tron family, a total of two models and four variants were introduced - the new A6 e-tron performance in both Sportback and Avant bodystyles, as well as this higher-performance S6 e-tron model, again offered in both Sportback and Avant bodystyles. (You can read about the A6 e-tron Sportback here.)

As this S6 e-tron Sportback will be launched in Singapore, possibly either concurrently or just after the A6 e-tron Sportback, I took the opportunity to also put it through its paces.

With 370kW on tap, the S6 e-tron demolishes tarmac with shocking ease

What’s different

Now, let's quickly highlight what sets this S6 e-tron apart from the A6 e-tron.

The most obvious one is the drivetrain. The S6 utilises two electric motors, so it's an all-wheel drive setup. And of course, there's more power on tap, too. System output stands at 370kW (going up to 405kW in Launch Control mode), with 275Nm and 580Nm of torque delivered by the front and rear motor respectively. Because the electric quattro system has dynamic torque distribution, those figures cannot be simply added up, but I can tell you that its feels very much like 700-800Nm of torque. 

0-100km/h is a claimed 3.9 seconds, and I don't for a moment doubt that. The first time I put my foot to the floor, I was jolted into the back of the seat and the car rockets forward. It is viciously fast in a way that I'm not necessarily sure a supposedly 'family saloon' needs to be, but it's a hoot. Access to power is so easy. 

Driven lightly, the S6 e-tron is comfortable and refined - it very much still serves as an executive cruiser

The S6 e-tron is also a heavier car by 225kg, and you do feel that when braking hard or attacking corners. Also, compared to the rear-wheel drive A6 e-tron, the nose of the car is marginally less pointy, but traction and grip are never lacking. The all-wheel drive system lets you get early on the power out of corners, and allows for hilariously-easy hustling of the car even with slightly careless driving.

The car also has what Audi calls the “e-tron Sport sound with S tuning”. Not for me.

With both models equipped with the optional air suspension, I found the overall ride quality pretty much indistinguishable. Not a bad thing, as it is very comfortable and well-controlled. 

Besides some subtle S-specific touches, the cabin remains largely familiar - premium, high on tech, and easy to use

What’s the same

Beyond that, the rest of the package is pretty much the same as you’d get on the standard A6 (especially as our A6 tester has the S-Line trim package). Some identifying features of this S model include trim elements like the matt silver chrome wing mirrors and aluminium inlays on the bumpers. I do think they add a nice bit of visual pop to the Sportback package. 

Inside, again it feels highly similar, with the exception of some S-specific bits like the red ring around the start/stop button, and S-specific displays in the MMI. Functionally, it's also unchanged, as it effectively shares the same bodyshell. Boot space is still a very usable 502-litres, rear legroom is good, and sat inside you would struggle to tell it apart from an A6 e-tron Sportback. 

Who is it for? 

I’ll be honest, I’ve always been sceptical of these go-faster variants of already not-slow EVs, like the AMG/M Performance variants of the EQC/EQE and i4/i5 and etc. Nothing wrong with them, but I typically find that they struggle to set themselves apart enough from their ‘base’ models. 

This S6 e-tron pretty much falls in that category. It's a well-executed car with undeniable capability, but again it feels too similar to the A6 e-tron performance. Obviously, there’s a lot more performance on tap, but that kind of rabid performance isn’t something that's going to be used daily. Couple that with the added weight (so less efficient and thus less range), and the value proposition doesn't seem so clear. 

With Singapore only getting the 210kW A6 e-tron Sportback, the S6 e-tron Sportback represents a significant step up in terms of performance (and likely equipment as well)

However, because Singapore is only getting the entry level A6 e-tron with 210kW, the gap in performance (and likely equipment as well) will be much bigger. And perhaps, then, one can justify making the jump up from an A6 e-tron to this car. 

The S6 e-tron Sportback is expected to be launched in Singapore in the middle of 2025.