Next-Gen Audi RS6 Spied With Massive Changes Under The Hood

New spy shots of the Audi RS6 e-tron have found their way into the CarBuzz inbox, giving us another look at what will surely be a blisteringly quick high-performance EV. Although most of the RS6 e-tron's body remains concealed by camo wrapping, we can see that it retains the Sportback-style proportions of the A6 e-tron concept.

The RS e-tron models will have a wider body and track. These changes won't only bring performance benefits but also serve to differentiate these models from the less powerful e-trons. In these spy shots, we can get a sense of the wider body of the RS6 e-tron, but our spies mentioned that the broader fenders seen here should be finessed for the production model.

Other telltale signs that this is an RS model include the large, wide wheels and enlarged brakes, including eight-piston front calipers and drilled discs front and rear.

This test mule has a different wheel design from our first sighting of the RS6 e-tron, and the yellow calipers differ from the red ones seen before. What hasn't changed is the split-headlight design with angled daytime running lights on top and main beams lower down. The roof slopes gracefully as it flows into the trunk area, but the taillights look more conventional than the slim, wraparound rear lighting of the A6 e-tron.

Of course, the RS6 nameplate is closely associated with the wagon body style - or Avant, in Audi speak - and we know that Audi wants to build an electric RS6 Avant. This will be another looker if the stunning A6 Avant e-tron is anything to go by.

Audi has yet to confirm the RS6 e-tron's outputs, but numbers north of 700-800 horsepower have been suggested. The older, gas-powered RS6 Avant already launches like a beast, with independent testing showing it can reach 60 mph in just over three seconds thanks to its 591-hp V8, so one can only imagine how quick the RS6 e-tron will be.

Based on the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) platform that Porsche had a hand in developing, the RS6 e-tron should be capable of charging at up to 270 kW thanks to its 800-volt architecture. However, the RS6 is expected to have a shorter range in light of its performance focus.

The production A6 e-tron should be revealed soon, but we may have to wait longer to see the final RS6 e-tron.