Audi’s midsize sedan goes electric: The 2025 A6 and S6 Sportback, driven

The automotive landscape has long been shaped by German manufacturers, with their engineers setting the standard for luxury and performance. However, as the industry shifts towards electric vehicles, these brands find themselves racing to adapt. Hyundai has already made significant strides with its 800 V platform, offering unparalleled charging speeds and efficiency, earning widespread acclaim in the process. As competitors gear up, BMW is readying its Neue Klasse platform with the iX3, while Mercedes-Benz's upcoming CLA shows promising advancements. Audi, however, was the first among its German counterparts to develop a dedicated 800 V electric vehicle platform. Following the launch of the Q6 e-tron SUV, Audi now introduces its electric fastback sedans: the A6 Sportback e-tron and its performance-oriented sibling, the S6 Sportback e-tron. Previously, Audi offered an 800 V electric vehicle in the form of the Porsche Taycan, which remains a powerful contender in the market. The new A6 is built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), a design influenced by the Taycan that integrates cutting-edge software technology. This architecture utilizes a few powerful computers to manage the vehicle's functions, replacing the need for numerous individual controllers. Both the A6 and S6 Sportbacks feature a sleek, aerodynamically efficient design that maintains the classic Audi aesthetic. European buyers can also opt for a station wagon variant, known as the Avant, with potential future plans for an RS6 Avant e-tron. Equipped with a 100 kWh (94.4 kWh usable) battery composed of prismatic cells, both models offer rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options. The rear-wheel drive A6 delivers a robust 375 hp (280 kW), while the all-wheel drive version boasts a combined output of 456 hp (340 kW), thanks to an additional asynchronous motor on the front axle. These figures represent peak power achievable with launch control, while the nominal outputs stand at 362 hp (270 kW) and 422 hp (315 kW) respectively.