What Engine Is This Audi RS6 Avant Prototype Hiding?

It's hard to tell what engine this is on video, but there's no doubt the new RS6 Avant will be a plug-in hybrid.

Photo by: NCars

By: Jeff Perez

Jul 7, 2025 at 4:30pm ET

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There's a new Audi RS6 Avant on the horizon following the debut of the latest A6 and S6 models. It'll be a few months still before we see the newest performance wagon in production, but a spy video from Spain captured a prototype testing on the road. The question is: What's under the hood?

A video from NCars on YouTube captured the new RS6 Avant in what appears to be its final production form. Given the generous amount of camouflage, though, it's impossible to tell. That said, the front fascia does look very similar to the latest A6, and the light fixtures are virtually ripped straight from the sedan. Also, peep the "gas" caps on either side of the car, all but confirming the plug-in powertrain.

The video also shows the new RS6 Avant in action, testing on public roads alongside other camouflaged prototypes—one of which appears to be a Q5 or Q7. Unfortunately, the RS6 doesn't make a ton of noise. Could it be because of the low speeds? Or is the wagon down two cylinders from last year? It's impossible to say. The videographer also captures the performance car seemingly running in pure EV mode.

Some rumors suggest that the new RS6 Avant could downgrade from its current twin-turbo V-8 setup to a smaller V-6 PHEV. Other reports, though, indicate that the RS6 Avant will keep its V-8 with an added plug-in hybrid unit. Either way, it should be even more powerful than ever.

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The new RS6 Avant will well exceed the current model’s 621 horsepower with an estimated 730 horsepower, according to Autocar. Riding atop Volkswagen Group’s versatile Premium Platform Electric (PPE), the gas RS6 Avant could be sold alongside an even more powerful electric E-Tron version, as well.

There’s still plenty to learn about the next Audi RS6 Avant before it reaches production, which is expected sometime next year. For now, enjoy these early glimpses of the performance wagon on the road.