2025 Audi A6 & S6 Sportback e-tron First Drive Review

Introduction

Audi’s all-new midsize sedan duo—the 2025 A6 Sportback e-tron and its high-performance S6 sibling—represent the first fully in-house EVs built on the brand’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE). We spent a week in Santa Barbara sampling both variants, and in this expanded report, we unpack their hardware, software, dynamics and what it means for Audi’s EV future.

Powertrain & Battery Architecture

At the core of both Sportbacks sits a 100 kWh (94.4 kWh usable) prismatic cell pack engineered for an energy density of ~260 Wh/kg. Individual cells use a NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) cathode and graphite anode, cooled via a dual-loop liquid system with cell-level thermal sensors.

• A6 Sportback e-tron: Available in single-motor RWD (280 kW peak/362 hp nominal) or dual-motor AWD (340 kW peak/422 hp nominal).
• S6 Sportback e-tron: Fixed dual-motor AWD, 405 kW peak/370 kW nominal (543 hp peak/496 hp nominal).

The rear motor uses a permanent magnet synchronous design for high efficiency, while the optional front asynchronous motor offers weight and thermal advantages at sustained high loads.

Charging Performance & Range

Both models leverage the PPE’s 800 V native architecture, delivering up to 270 kW DC fast-charge rates. Expect 10–80 percent SOC in just 21 minutes under ideal conditions. AC charging maxes at 9.6 kW via J1772 or CCS1 (driver’s side), with a second J1772 port on the passenger side.

• A6 RWD Ultra: EPA-rated 392 mi (630 km) with 20″ aero wheels.
• A6 AWD Ultra: 377 mi (607 km).
• S6 AWD: 324 mi (521 km).

Chassis, Suspension & Handling

With a curb weight north of 5,000 lbs (2,270 kg), the S6’s adaptive air suspension and optional rear-axle steering shine on twisting backroads. Audi offers four drive modes—Comfort, Balanced, Dynamic and Individual—each tuning damping, steering effort and powertrain response. Lift-off regen in mode B delivers 0.25 g decel, with paddle-selectable settings in D for precise one-pedal control.

“The steering initially felt numb, but as the road surface changed, feedback sharpened and grip limits became predictable,” said our test engineer.

Interior & Infotainment

The cabin mirrors Audi’s latest ICE models (A5, Q5) and the Q6 e-tron, with a stacked dual-touchscreen layout, haptic feedback and over-the-air (OTA) updates. The 12.3″ Virtual Cockpit can display AR navigation in its head-up display. Rear seat packaging yields 25.9 cu ft of cargo behind upright seats, expandable to 39.9 cu ft with a 40/20/40 split fold.

Voice recognition has improved but still struggles with natural language; Apple CarPlay runs wirelessly but cannot override the native nav for HUD AR cues.

Software-Defined Vehicle Architecture

Under PPE lies a consolidated domain controller strategy, reducing electronic control units (ECUs) from hundreds to a handful of high-performance servers. This unlocks:

1. Faster sensor fusion & ADAS processing (up to Level 2+ autonomous capability).
2. Scalable features via modular software updates (e.g., adaptive cruise refinements).
3. Enhanced cybersecurity through secure over-the-air key management.

Competitive Landscape Analysis

Against Mercedes-Benz’s EQE and BMW’s upcoming i5 on the CLAR platform, Audi’s PPE delivers competitive range and faster charging. Mercedes EQE maxes out at ~210 kW DC, while BMW i5 eDrive40 peaks near 195 kW. The A6’s 270 kW fast-charge headroom and 0.23 Cd aerodynamic efficiency (0.21 with camera mirrors) grant a real-world advantage on longer hauls.

Future Outlook & Roadmap

Audi confirmed an RS6 Avant e-tron is in late-stage development, targeting 600 hp+ outputs and sub-3.5 s 0–60 mph sprints. The PPE platform will underpin future sedans and SUVs through 2030, with planned cell chemistry upgrades (silicon-enriched anodes, solid-state pilot cells) aiming for +10 percent energy density by 2027.

Expert Opinions

Dr. Nina Keller, EV powertrain specialist: “Audi’s shift to a domain-central architecture is a watershed moment. It allows feature scaling far beyond form factor constraints of legacy ECUs.”

Tomás Martínez, automotive range consultant: “Achieving ~630 km EPA on a midsize liftback is impressive. Real-world, drivers should see 550–580 km mixed-cycle.”

Conclusion

The 2025 Audi A6 Sportback e-tron and S6 Sportback e-tron showcase Audi’s transition from Porsche-derived EVs to a fully proprietary 800 V platform. With rapid charging, software-defined capabilities and a competitive performance envelope, they mark a pivotal step for the brand. Whether opting for the long-range single motor or the adrenaline-charged S6, buyers gain a mature EV package ready to tackle modern driving demands.