Word spread fast through electrified car circles: Audi had axed the RS 6 e-tron. It was reported as dead, canceled just weeks ago by Car & Driver and Top Gear to name a few. The rumor mill churned — “too expensive, too niche, not enough demand.” – Road & Track. But the story, as I’m hearing it from my sources, is a lot more subtle.
Because technically, the RS 6 e-tron project was canceled. But the car itself hasn’t died as we can see by subsequent photos of test mules still making their rounds. Turns out, it’s just been rebadged. The high-performance electric wagon (and Sportback) that you thought was gone is now rumored to be coming as the S6 e-tron performance. My sources say the RS Q6 will also follow a similar move and become SQ6 performance. The “RS” badge is being preserved.
Why this move? It’s strategic.
THE BRAND LOGIC
- Power expectations vs. reality
In the EV power race, the benchmarks are pushing toward 1,000 hp in the near future. If Audi released an “RS 6 e-tron” at, say, ~750 hp, it would immediately look weak compared to rivals. The car wouldn’t live up to the “RS” halo… or the RS halo might become a bit tarnished. So instead of diluting the badge, they’re saving it for something that can truly dominate. The “S6 performance” gives them wiggle room to offer a high-output model without tarnishing the legend of RS. - Demand is uncertain
Internally, Audi is reportedly pessimistic about the projected volume — they believe a super EV sedan/wagon won’t attract enough buyers. The RS e-tron GT and other high-end EVs have had muted sales relative to expectations, and the RS 6 e-tron projection may not have passed internal viability thresholds. By branding it “S6 Performance,” they can treat it as a limited, halo-adjacent model — not core RS. The RS badge remains reserved for rarified, extreme performance. - Continuity of development, less risk
From what I’m told, all the engineering, the test mules, the aerodynamic tweaks — it’s all still happening. The bodywork, chassis, cooling, battery, and software work haven’t been scrapped. The car is very much alive under the skin. It’s just wearing a different label now — one less likely to spark as much skepticism or backlash if it doesn’t hit 1,000 hp. In effect, the “cancelation” acts as a cover story while the real project shifts strategy.
WATCH FOR
- Design cues carry over
The S6 Performance will reportedly still feature the same signature touches seen in the RS 6 e-tron prototypes: wide fenders, the flare vents behind the front wheels carried over from the RS e-tron GT lineage and aggressive aerodynamic details. In spy photos from @wilcoblok and @stephanbarral, the mules still look very RS-style despite heavy camouflage. - Power targets
It’s expected to land in the ~750 hp neighborhood — not puny by any means, but conservative relative to what’s coming. That delta is precisely why RS couldn’t bear to attach its name. - Spillover to Q6 / SUV segment
The same treatment is rumored for the RS Q6 test mules: converting them to SQ6 performance. This suggests a broader shift: the “RS” label may be reserved for only the highest-tiers in the future, with “performance” serving as an augmentation of the base model to which it is applied. For now, the only e-tron to carry the RS badge will remain the RS e-tron GT.
PHOTO GALLERY
