Audi is set to release its last car powered by an internal combustion engine in 2026. The majority of models the automaker will offer in the future will switch to electric power.
Audi Sport manages the S- and RS-badged Audis, as well the R8 supercar. There are also electric models that carry both badges with the E-Tron S or RS E-Tron GT.
AutocarOn Tuesday, Audi Sport announced that it will produce an additional electric vehicle called the RS 6 Avant E-Tron.
2021 Audi RS 6 Avant
American has just had its first glimpse of the RS 6 Avant’s twin-turbocharged V-8 of 591 horsepower and 590 lb.ft. of torque. Audi is planning to launch an electric A6 replacement in 2023. The concept was shown off in April and it has been in production since then. Autocar reports that a wagon-body style will be used for the Audi E-Tron. This is an Avant, in Audi-speak. It stands to reason then, that Audi Sport would want to RS-up the electric longroof.
All RS versions of the A6 E-Tron will be able to ride on Volkswagen Group’s PPE modular EV platform, which is debuting next year with the Audi Q6 E-Tron crossover. Autocar claimed that the A6 E-Tron Concept featured a 100-kilowatt-hour-battery and a dual-motor powertrain capable of 469 hp, and 590 lb-ft. However, it is not clear if the peak power output of any RS 6 Avant E-Tron will match that of the current RS 6 avant.
Lucid and Tesla have demonstrated that electric powertrains can deliver a lot of performance, as their Model S Plaid Performance and Air Dream Edition Performance models offer over 1,000 horsepower. The established automakers may soon join this race. GMC, which is about to start deliveries of the 1,000-hp Hummer EV Edition 1 within weeks, and Audi Sport competitors BMW M and Mercedes-Benz AMG both have EVs in development. Porsche could also be working on an electric 718 Cayman sportscar that is closely related to earlier this year’s Mission R concept.
