Audi is inching closer to the launch of its new Q6 e-tron electric SUV, which will be available in both standard and more athletic Sportback body styles. But the real athlete of the Q6 lineup will be the RS Q6 e-tron, seen here busting some moves on Germany’s Nurburgring.
We’ve spotted the regular versions of Audi’s Q6 e-tron testing multiple times over the summer, but this is our first sighting of its hot RS sister since March. Like the more humble cars in the range, the RS will also be available with a practical square-back SUV body, as seen in these photos, or a sexier Sportback shell.
Both share the same hardware, of course, which means they run on the same PPE electric platform that you’ll find under Porsche’s upcoming electric Macan and the production version of the Audi A6 e-tron wagon the folks from Ingolstadt showed last year.
While entry-level Q6s will be offered with a choice of different power outputs, potentially including the A6 concept’s 469 hp (476 PS) dual-motor setup, the RS Q6 e-tron is going to need substantially more firepower to take on rivals like the Maserati Grecale Folgore, BMW iX M60, and its own Porsche Macan EV cousin. Given that the BMW makes 610 hp (620 PS), it’s possible Audi will drop in the RS e-tron GT coupe’s powertrain, which develops 590 hp (598 hp), but can be boosted to 637 hp (646 PS) for 2.5 seconds at a time.
Related: 2024 Audi Q6 e-tron Front End Completely Uncovered In Latest Spy Shots
The RS will also get some subtle styling tweaks to mark it out from more prosaic Q6s. This being an EV, those tweaks sadly won’t include the usual RS quad tailpipe setup, but bigger wheels, and bigger intakes seen in this car’s front bumper, plus multiple RS badges, will make it stand out. All Q6s will feature on-trend split-level headlights, however.
The Q6 e-tron – no relation to the Chinese-market ICE-powered Q6 – was originally slated for launch before the end of 2022, but we’ve heard rumors that the reveal might be pushed into 2023. Porsche has said separately that the Macan EV won’t now be launched until 2024. Either way, it seems likely that Audi will give us some time to digest the standard SUV before letting loose on the RS variant sometime towards the middle of 2023.
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