Audi A6 370kW S6 100kWh Edition 1 5dr Auto

Ten Second Review

Someone wanting Audi's very fast, but very understated S6 e-tron luxury sports EV will come in search of speed and technology without extrovert drama. Some segment rivals will seem more dynamic, but this Ingolstadt model is a very complete all-round proposition. Don't opt for a faster Porsche Taycan or Mercedes EQE without considering it.

Background

Welcome to a very different kind of Audi S6. We seen a range of engines fitted within this executive sports saloon and estate model line over the years, V10s, V8s - even a diesel V6. But nothing quite like this S6 e-tron, which as the name suggests has gone full-electric. Audi is actually badging the more direct combustion replacement for the old C8-era S6 as 'S7'. Here though, we'll be focusing on the S6 e-tron EV. It's got a lot more power than its combustion predecessor and, as with the ordinary A6 e-tron, comes in five-door or Avant estate guises. An even faster RS 6 variant will sit above it in the range. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

The S6 e-tron, as you'd expect, comes only with the very largest of the batteries available in the A6 e-tron range - a pack 100kWh in size (94.9kWh of it usable). EV range is rated at 406 miles for the Sportback and 388 miles for the Avant. The battery pack energises motors on both axles that create a rear based four-wheel drive system. There's a permanent magnet motor at the back with 380PS; and an asynchronous motor at the front with up to 190PS. These together deliver a combined output of 503PS. Which rises to 551PS if you engage Launch mode, which provides for a 0-62mph time of 3.9s en route to 149mph. If you're driving like this, you'll need to make sure you've opted for the fieriest of the drive settings, 'Dynamic'. There's also a 'Sport' setting for the stability control. With a kerb weight of nearly 3.3-tonnes though, this isn't a sports saloon you'll want to be throwing around the lanes very often. There's an 'e-tron sport sound' that plays through the speakers under acceleration. More usefully, air suspension is standard - the S6 is the only A6 e-tron model to have it, which hasn't gone down well with some potential A6 e-tron customers. As with that standard model, there's a regenerative braking system controlled by steering wheel paddles, with a couple of fixed levels and a 'one-pedal' mode. Or you can choose an adaptive mode - or turn the regen system off completely. Unlike most EVs, this S6 is also quite comfortable towing, able to tug along up to 2.1-tonnes.

Design and Build

If you're hoping for an overtly unique look for this S6 e-tron, you might be disappointed because the visual updates that separate it from sportily-trimmed versions of the ordinary A6 e-tron are extremely subtle. Audi is saving the aesthetic fireworks for the RS 6 e-tron. Nevertheless, a closer look reveals a pleasingly purposeful S6 makeover, the most notable feature being the big black metallic 21-inch '5-arm Dynamic' Audi Sport gloss-turned wheels. There are both Sportback and Avant (estate) body styles available. And Audi's fancy digital OLED rear lights are standard. Inside, the S6 highlight lies with the special 'Sports Seats plus' performance front chairs. These are upholstered in a combination of fine Nappa and Milano leather and have integrated head restraints, side bolsters, a ventilated centre panel and an upper backrests with an S emblem. Otherwise, it's just as in any other A6 e-tron. Inside up-front, there's the expected screen fest, a curved fascia panel joining the two main monitors; an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, to the left of which further optional 10.9-inch display can be added for the benefit of the front passenger. There'll be a further little screen at each corner of the dash if the digital door mirrors have been specified. As with the A5, there's what Audi calls a 'softwrap' fabric panel flowing uninterrupted across the entire width of the dash that's supposed to give 'an enveloping feeling of space'. As you'd expect, the overall effect is very high end indeed. Helped by the lengthy wheelbase of the PPE platform, the rear is very spacious and the back seats are staggered like theatre chairs so those at the rear sit a little higher than those at the front. Headroom is better in the Avant version thanks to that variant's extra 40mm of rear roof height. Boot space is unexceptional - and it's disappointing that the Avant offers the same relatively modest 502-litre capacity as the Sportback (up to parcel shelf level). It's 1,330-litres with the rear bench folded. That bespoke platform also frees up further 27-litre under-bonnet 'frunk' space for the charging leads.

Market and Model

To start with, this S6 e-tron is only available in Audi's top 'Edition 1' level of spec, which means that prices are on the expensive side. From launch, Audi wanted around £98,000 for the S6 Sportback 'Edition 1' and around £100,000 for the S6 Avant e-tron 'Edition 1. You'd have a right to expect an awful lot of equipment for that and, sure enough, this S6 delivers that. Digital OLED rear lights, a panoramic glass roof with switchable transparency, a power-latching function for the doors and Adaptive S air suspension - all of it comes as standard. Together with 21-inch Audi Sport wheels, 'sports seats plus' front chairs trimmed in a fine Nappa leather and Milano leather combination, and an e-tron Sport sound system. Along with 3-zone automatic air conditioning, a heated sports steering wheel and a 3D Bang and Olufsen premium sound set-up. The S6 e-tron also gets Audi's 'Assist package Drive and Park plus' pack with a surround view camera. And the 'Adaptive Cruise assist plus' set-up, which helps accelerate, brake, maintain speed and maintain a set distance from the vehicle in front on the highway, as well as staying in lane. The 'Parking system plus' set-up will park the car for you and there's an augmented reality head-up display system.

Cost of Ownership

Audi reckons its electric motors are among the most efficient in the industry. In this car, the brand uses asynchronous motors in the front axle and permanent synchronous motors on the rear, these units featuring dry sump oil cooling for better efficiency and management of heat. The company reckons these motors offer 62% more power density and 33% greater performance than the earlier generation units fitted to the Q8 e-tron. This S6 e-tron's standard inclusion of a heat pump will preserve driving range in very cold conditions. Audi says in this case it adds around 19 miles of extra range in really cold temperatures. On to charging, for which, helpfully, the car provides ports on both sides, though only one port can accept the fastest DC charging rate. The main news here is the switch to an 800V architecture with the sophisticated PPE platform. This means that your S6 e-tron can be charged at up to 270kW if you can find the right ultra rapid charger. At a fast enough charger, a 10-80% charge can be completed in just 21 minutes; apparently, 197 miles of range can be added in as little as 10 minutes. The sophisticated electric infrastructure also means this S6 can benefit from so-called 'bank charging': that means that at feebler public chargers (of up to 135kW) that can't handle the PPE platform's 800V power, this Audi will split the battery in two and run each half at 400V, optimising battery replenishment speed and efficiency, so charging will still be super-quick.

Summary

We can't imagine many, if any, owners of previous generation Audi S6 models deciding they want an S6 e-tron. And that's fine because Ingolstadt isn't targeting those people with this car. The customers Audi wants instead are either currently buying or leasing faster versions of luxury EV saloons, like the Porsche Taycan or the Mercedes EQE. Or they're choosing fast sporting PHEVs, like the BMW 550e or the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. If you're in the market for any of the cars just mentioned, or models like them, then this S6 e-tron needs also to be somewhere on your potential wish list because it might satisfy you similarly, but in a very 'Audi' kind of way. That weighty battery has an impact on drive dynamics of course, but not by as much as you might think. And we believe the Avant version might be a perfect combination of saloon and SUV for many customers. Audi's e-tron GT has been moved upmarket to make space for this S6 e-tron. And if you're looking at an e-tron GT, try an S6 e-tron first; it might be all you really need.