Driving the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron showed me why it’s worth paying more for laid-back luxury

Introduction

Driving some electric cars can be something of a sterile experience, but Audi still knows how to inject excitement into proceedings, especially with the new S6 Sportback e-tron. I’ve just spent some time with this stylish executive machine, which is based on the same PPE platform as the Audi Q6 e-tron and it’s a real driver’s car. Sure, there are other premium rival options that include the like of the BMW i5 M60 or the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53, but I think the Audi is my current favourite.

Why? Well, the S6 Sportback e-tron is such a fun car to drive. It certainly isn’t cheap, but what does these days? Chinese and Korean luxury performance options, perhaps, but there’s something about the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron that still feels decidedly Germanic and a little bit special. There’s a big battery meaning plenty of range, 800V architecture that offers rapid charging and a twin motor, four-wheel drive powertrain that loves being pushed when the roads get interesting. I was instantly smitten.

The styling

While the Audi badge is a very common sight on our roads, the chances of spotting a Audi S6 Sportback e-tron seems less likely given the nigh-on £100,000 price. It’ll stand out should one eventually pass you, though, with Audi’s designers having nailed the proportions from almost any angle. There’s a low, purposeful stance that starts off with the dramatic nose, followed by sweeping design lines that take you on a seamless journey towards the back end, which is topped with sleek wraparound taillights and an illuminated Audi logo.

I’ve heard a few moans from folks who think newer Audis have lost something when it comes to the quality of their interiors. However, the inside of the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron looked great to me, with the dark trim contrasting perfectly with the brooding exterior colour. There are some neat trim embellishments that lift the overall look still further and, thanks to the premium specification, I never felt like there was anything missing.

Considering the sleek exterior body design, the interior feels generously proportioned in the front part of the cockpit, although headroom gets squeezed a little bit in the back due to that sloping roofline. Nevertheless, I thought the seats felt great, with enough side support when the car was being pushed through the turns, but enough general padding making them perfect for high-mileage motorway jaunts. Boot space isn’t as good as rivals, but it would work for me.

The drive

The S designation is usually Audi speak for “has plenty of power”, and that’s definitely true of the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron. It’s got a 0-62 mph time of just 3.9 seconds, which is rapid for a car so long and heavy, while the quattro setup ensured the car always felt dependable rather than unpredictable when pushed. Regen was easily managed thanks to steering wheel paddles too, which was a bonus in my book.

I liked the low-ish, road-hugging persona of the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron. It was easy to just sit back in my hunkered-down driver’s seat and enjoy the road ahead. It was great on longer runs, offering an effortless motoring experience. That being said, my car came with digital door mirrors and my thinking on these remains unchanged, particularly when it comes to Audi’s version – they’re really not very good. In wintry weather and during nighttime driving, the digital mirrors are far from ideal and definitely detract from the driving experience.

Aside from that moan though, the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron is wonderfully comfortable, something helped by the air suspension. Anyone fancying some fun on top of the comfort can also exploit the Audi’s Dynamic driving mode, which offers another level of excitement on top of the already impressive handling.

That big battery did give me some good runs without needing to top up, but when it was being pushed, it was also worryingly easy to munch through the generous quota. Fast charging up to 270 kWh makes amends for that somewhat.

The technology

Aside from the annoying digital mirrors, the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron comes with everything the modern motorist needs, all presented within the context of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. I loved the steering wheel in this car, although some of the touch controls weren’t as easy to master as I’d hoped for.

In front of that, the screen areas were generous and comprehensive with their detail. The 11.9in digital guages in front of the wheel pack great graphics, cool fonts and customisable viewing options that can be tweaked on the go. Next to that, the main 14.5in touchscreen had a lot packed inside, some of which was easy to tackle, some not so much.

Mercifully, there was at least a climate control bar directly underneath that could be managed with relative ease during miserable mornings when steaming up at this time of year seems to be par for the course.

My car also boasted goodies that took the tech level up a notch, like a Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System bundle that packed a sonic punch. An augmented reality head-up display adds another level of convenience to direction controls. Another cool touch was the ambient lighting, especially during dark and dank winter evenings when my spirits needed a lift.

Audi S6 Sportback e-tron verdict

I found the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron a really easy car to live with and it was excellent whenever I used it for longer runs. It would get up and down the motorway effortlessly and I never got tired of those fabulous seats.

There are some minor quibbles, like those digital door mirrors that could be very irritating in poor weather conditions and after dark. The infotainment screen, too, with its comprehensive options buried in menus, tended to make life unnecessarily tricky on the road.

Nevertheless, the pros of this car certainly outweigh the cons even if the price will, perhaps, be one of the biggest obstacles to ownership. It’s got those other German rivals to beat as well. Overall, though, I didn’t want to see it go.

Audi S6 Sportback e-tron technical specifications