Is there a future for performance EVs like the Audi S6 e-tron?

The Audi S6 e-tron - Is there a future for performance EVs

What electric cars will we be driving in 2025? 2030? 2040?

It’s actually quite a hard proposition to overcome with many manufacturers finding resounding success with one, or more, of their products. Whereas others have certainly encountered some difficulties with their various options.

The truth is not every manufacturer is grasping the opportunities in the same way; being direct, you do have to wonder what the design and marketing teams have been thinking in some cases.

We have witnessed vehicles which deviate from the traditional modicum of what we know works in the UK and fail to capture the public’s attention. We have also seen pricing models, and sales tactics, fail to meet the expectations of our personal or business contract hire market.

As reported in the BBC this week two brands are now looking to combine, as they look to compete in what seems to be a difficult and competitive segment. Nissan and Honda are now in exploratory talks to understand how better they can leverage one another’s strengths and secure a footing in the all-electric market.

While the two Japanese conglomerates have already been operating an alliance for their EV strategy, a more secure and embodied relationship looks to be on the cards. There are undertones of Chinese powerhouses dominating the EV sector (to the tune of 70%) but other companies also have inwards.

The Honda brand have failed to do very much in the UK, with the both the Honda e and E NY1 failing to capture the imagination of the UK. While Nissan did so much for the early days of electric driving with the iconic Leaf, very little development or progression happened until around 2022 / 2023 with their Nissan Ariya SUV.

As much as competition is pushing these products out of favour, there has be some more inward investment to address aesthetics, battery capabilities (range and charging speed) plus the price of the vehicles being sold.

In contrast, Audi is an EV brand which seems to have taken the bull by the horns. With a litany of great EVs including the Q4, Q6 and Q8 plus the e-tron GT sports car, the addition of the A6 Sportback and Avant is clear intention that the German brand is not taking a backstep with lithium-ion tech.

The new Audi S6 Sportback is advocating “Electric Sportiness”, which is a combination of thrilling performance coupled with aerodynamic design and digital innovations. Sporty proportions, wide wheelbase and a curved coupe style, the new electric S6 is purporting some incredible acceleration and torque.

Added to that is a competent array of specification including soft wrap architecture, virtual/foldable door mirrors, aeroacoustics, sports seats with fine nappa leather, Sound and Vision Pack (Bang & Olufsen 3D premium Sound, augmented HUD, ambient lighting package, USB interfaces and in-car office).

Advanced technology (curved panoramic display, virtual cockpit plus, AR tech on the driving systems), surround view camera, parking sensors, adaptive cruise, traffic sign recognition, remote parking, keyless entry, 21” 5 arm alloy wheels, adaptive air suspension, panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front seats and matrix LED headlights. Colour choices include Malepo Blue, Mythos Black, Typhoon Grey, Siam Beige and Daytona Grey.

But how do you know how quick the new Audi S6 e-tron will be?

The battle of semantics is very much at play with EVs. In the combustion world we are familiar with the CC for the engine size and the use of ps or bhp/hp for power. In contrast the world of electric uses the references of kWh and kW.

With regards to the former, this is the battery size of the vehicle and will help you to understand the cost of charging and the performance. Where you have to be careful is with the nominal capacity vs usable capacity. For example, you may see the S6 e-tron with a nominal capacity of 100kWh but, the usable battery is in fact 94.9 kWh.

This is because batteries usually have a 5% protection, to stop any issues which could arise if the batteries were over-charged. Discussions of explosions or fires are not the common occurrence some misleading articles would suggest. To supplement this, a vehicle will use the kW to help you understand the maximum power of the vehicle.

In the case of the S6 e-tron this is 405kW, which may not be overly familiar to some drivers. To help e-car customers understand this more acutely, we include a conversion; in the case of this performance Audi a total of 543hp is available i.e. this is a quick vehicle!

But how does the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron perform?

From £97,500 this EV will have a usable battery of 94.9 kWh. This AWD offers 405kW (543hp), top speeds of 149 mph and 0-62 times of 3.9 seconds. Real-world ranges suggest a combined 285 miles in colder weather with warmer temperatures to allow for 390 miles (on a full charge) - 340 miles combined .

The 11kW AC allows for 0-100% charging times of 10 hours with the 270 kW DC enabling 10-80% in 21 minutes. The S6 has no designated Bidirectional charging. It has a 145 mpg equivalent, 502L cargo volume and offers towing capacities of 750kg (unbraked) and 2100kg (braked). The heat pump is standard.

Is the new Audi A6 e-tron your electric vehicle of choice for 2025?

Either head to the Audi manufacturer to pre-order yours today or head to our designated Audi section and speak to the electric car lease experts.

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