The 2025 Audi A6 and S6 e-tron mark Audi's definitive entry into the all-electric luxury sedan segment, showcasing a fusion of advanced technology, refined performance, and elegant design. Developed on the innovative Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, these models set new benchmarks for electric vehicle capabilities, including extended range, remarkably fast charging, and an unparalleled level of cabin serenity. While both the A6 and the sportier S6 variants deliver substantial power and confident road dynamics, the A6 e-tron particularly shines for its harmonious blend of attributes, making it an exceptionally livable and practical choice for daily commutes and long-distance travel. Audi has successfully engineered vehicles that prioritize a smooth, quiet ride and a premium user experience, appealing to discerning drivers seeking comfort and cutting-edge electric mobility.
Audi's commitment to electrification is evident in the A6 and S6 e-tron's foundation: the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture. This dedicated EV platform, co-developed with Porsche, features an 800-volt electrical system, a technology also found in high-performance EVs like the Taycan and e-tron GT. This high-voltage system allows for the use of lighter wiring, reducing overall vehicle weight and minimizing energy loss. Crucially, it enables ultra-fast DC charging at up to 270 kW, significantly reducing charging times and enhancing convenience for owners. Both models are equipped with a substantial 100-kWh battery pack (94.4 kWh usable), providing impressive energy storage for extended journeys.
The A6 e-tron Quattro utilizes a dual-motor configuration, delivering a combined output of 456 horsepower. This setup ingeniously combines a Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor (PSM) on the rear axle, known for its efficiency, with an Asynchronous Induction Motor (ASM) on the front. The ASM's ability to decouple when not needed allows the A6 Quattro to operate primarily as a rear-wheel-drive vehicle during cruising, thereby optimizing range. Stepping up to the S6 e-tron, the dual-motor concept is further enhanced with a more potent rear PSM, boosting total system output to 496 hp in normal operation and a temporary 543 hp with launch control or the "BOOST" button engaged. The chassis design is equally sophisticated, featuring a five-link front axle and a multi-link rear suspension, meticulously tuned to manage the weight distribution of the floor-mounted battery. This results in a low center of gravity and near-perfect weight balance, contributing to the vehicles' stable and confident handling. Braking performance is robust, with the S6 e-tron featuring larger calipers, distinguished by their red color, to accommodate its elevated performance capabilities.
The driving experience within the A6 and S6 e-tron is primarily defined by an extraordinary sense of tranquility. The cabins are exceptionally quiet, a testament to both the inherent silence of electric powertrains and Audi's meticulous attention to sound deadening. This isolation, combined with a remarkably low drag coefficient of 0.21, contributes to a serene and comfortable ride. Both models exhibit composed handling and refined road manners. The optional adaptive air suspension, standard on the S6, further enhances comfort by prioritizing a softer ride quality over aggressive feedback, aligning with the vehicles' grand touring character. While acceleration is instantaneous and powerful—the A6 Quattro reaches 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, and the S6 in a sportscar-rivalling 3.7 seconds—the delivery is so seamless and devoid of drama that it can feel somewhat detached for those seeking a more visceral driving engagement. The A6 Quattro, in particular, offers a driving personality that feels more authentically aligned with its design, providing immense performance without sacrificing its core identity as a refined, high-speed cruiser.
Aesthetically, Audi's designers have skillfully blended modern EV sensibilities with the brand's iconic design language. The sleek Sportback silhouette is a defining feature, contributing significantly to the vehicles' class-leading aerodynamics. The inverted, largely closed-off single-frame grille serves as an intelligent housing for various sensors, while the ultra-slim Digital Matrix LED headlights offer customizable daytime running light signatures, adding a touch of personalized flair. The S6 e-tron subtly asserts its performance credentials with larger 20-inch wheels, a more assertive rear diffuser, and distinctive red brake calipers. Inside, the "Digital Stage" dashboard integrates three screens: an 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit, a 14.5-inch MMI touchscreen, and a 10.9-inch passenger display with a privacy filter. Running on an Android Automotive-based OS, the infotainment system is intuitive and responsive. Material quality is superlative, featuring soft-touch surfaces, premium trim options, and Audi's characteristic impeccable fit and finish. The driving position is ergonomically optimized, with supportive seats and excellent visibility, creating a tech-forward yet inviting cabin ambiance.
From a practical standpoint, the 2025 Audi A6 and S6 e-tron offer compelling value and functionality. The A6 e-tron RWD starts at $67,195, while the A6 e-tron Premium Plus Quattro, a popular choice, is priced at $73,095, including features like Bang & Olufsen audio and advanced driver assists. The high-performance S6 e-tron begins at $79,995. These models deliver remarkable EPA-estimated ranges: 392 miles for the RWD A6, 377 miles for the A6 Quattro, and a very practical 324 miles for the S6 e-tron. These figures position Audi competitively against industry leaders like Tesla. The Sportback design further enhances practicality, providing a voluminous 39.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, offering SUV-like versatility in a sleek sedan form factor.
Ultimately, the 2025 Audi A6 and S6 e-tron successfully achieve their objective: delivering highly advanced, long-range, and exceptionally comfortable electric luxury sedans. Their primary strengths lie in their remarkable quietness, leading-edge charging speeds and range, and the meticulous fit and finish that defines the Audi brand. These vehicles are engineering marvels, serving as an effortless mode of daily transport and a serene companion for extended journeys. However, for drivers seeking a raw, emotionally engaging driving experience, the A6 and S6 e-tron's polished and isolated nature might leave something to be desired. They are designed for those who prioritize comfort, quality, and a seamless transition to electric mobility, offering a refined and mature interpretation of the electric luxury sedan that truly stands apart in the competitive EV landscape.
Enduring Automotive Legends: Vehicles That Refuse to Retire
The Surprising Durability of Automotive Models: Overcoming the Odds of Discontinuation
The automotive landscape is constantly evolving, with new models emerging and older ones fading into history. While some vehicles are mourned upon their departure, others are barely missed. Yet, a fascinating phenomenon occurs when a model, seemingly destined for obsolescence, miraculously clings to life. This resilience can be attributed to various factors, including strategic overhauls, shifts in market dynamics, or powerful customer advocacy. Three prime examples of such automotive survivors are highlighted, each having defied widespread speculation and even official announcements of their impending discontinuation.
Hyundai Sonata: A Sedan's Unforeseen Resurgence in an SUV-Dominated Market
When the Hyundai Sonata first appeared on the scene in the late 1980s, it carved out a niche as an accessible mid-size family sedan. Over subsequent decades, it cemented its place as a cornerstone of Hyundai's lineup, known for its stylistic transformations and its fierce competition in the sedan segment. However, as the automotive market increasingly favored SUVs and crossovers, the sedan's appeal diminished. Despite this, and persistent whispers of its discontinuation, particularly around 2022 due to declining sales, Hyundai made a decisive move. They refreshed the Sonata for 2024, endowing it with sharper aesthetics, enhanced driver-assist technologies, and an updated interior. Far from being phased out, the Sonata is now expected to enter its ninth generation for the 2027 model year, embracing a new design philosophy and advanced user interface, a testament to its unexpected persistence.
Dodge Durango: The Muscle SUV That Refused to Be Replaced
Since its debut in 1998, the Dodge Durango has transformed from a robust body-on-frame SUV into a modern unibody three-row crossover, imbued with the spirit of a muscle car. Despite its enduring presence, the Durango often felt like an anachronism in a market dominated by newer, more technologically advanced competitors. Its interior, in particular, began to show its age. Speculation about the Durango's end intensified with the introduction of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L in 2021, a direct competitor from within the Stellantis family. Further rumors in 2023 suggested the 2024 model year would be its last. Yet, the Durango persevered, largely due to its unique offering: a three-row SUV with muscle car performance, exemplified by its high-horsepower variants. Its adaptability, offering both V6 and V8 engines, and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, appeals to a broad spectrum of buyers. Despite an aging design, recent interior technology upgrades signal Dodge's commitment to this segment, ensuring the current generation's survival until a new model arrives.
Lexus IS: A Sport Sedan's Continued Reign in a Crossover World
The Lexus IS has been a foundational model in the entry-level luxury sector since the late 1990s, renowned for its agile handling, reliability, and youthful allure, positioning itself as a challenger to the BMW 3 Series. However, in recent times, with luxury compact crossovers like the Lexus NX gaining traction and German rivals intensifying competition, the IS appeared to be on borrowed time. Industry observers widely believed that Lexus would retire the IS, much like its coupe counterparts, to concentrate solely on the booming SUV market. Countering these expectations, Lexus refreshed the IS platform in 2021, introducing sharper styling, refined suspension, and, to the delight of enthusiasts, a potent 5.0-liter V8 in the IS 500 F Sport. This move signaled Lexus's continued dedication to the sport sedan. More recently, Lexus unveiled an updated IS 350 for the upcoming model year, featuring exterior refinements, an enhanced interior with a larger touchscreen, and improved controls. While not a volume seller, the IS remains a crucial emblem of Lexus's identity, symbolizing the brand's commitment to performance, comfort, and driving pleasure.
The Unyielding Spirit of Select Automotive Models: Lessons in Longevity
While many automotive models disappear from showrooms prematurely, the stories of the Hyundai Sonata, Dodge Durango, and Lexus IS offer compelling examples of resilience. Whether it is Hyundai's renewed investment in sedans, Dodge's unique blend of muscle and utility, or Lexus's dedication to its sporty heritage, these vehicles underscore that mere sales figures do not always dictate survival. Instead, factors such as brand identity, enthusiast passion, and a commitment to tradition can empower models to defy the odds, ensuring their presence for future generations of drivers.
A unique opportunity has emerged for automotive enthusiasts and racing fans alike, as a 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport, previously owned by the four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen, is headed to auction. This highly exclusive track-only machine, a limited edition of just 200 units, represents the pinnacle of Porsche’s motorsport engineering. Its provenance, directly linked to one of racing's most celebrated figures, elevates its status beyond that of a mere collectible to a significant piece of motorsport history. The vehicle boasts a low odometer reading and a suite of factory-fitted racing modifications, making it a dream acquisition for serious collectors and those passionate about high-performance track driving.
Porsche's 911 series is renowned for its diverse range, catering to various driving preferences, from daily commuting to extreme track performance. While models like the Carrera and Turbo offer a blend of everyday usability and exhilarating drives, the GT3 RS blurs the lines, delivering a race-car-like experience on public roads. However, for an uncompromised track experience, Porsche's dedicated factory race cars, such as the GT2 RS Clubsport, stand in a league of their own. These machines are purpose-built with robust chassis, advanced aerodynamics, and specialized interiors to provide an unparalleled racing sensation, attracting top-tier drivers to their cockpits.
This particular 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport, available through RM Sotheby's Sealed Drop platform, is a rare gem. It's a hardcore racing iteration of the 991-generation Porsche 911, with minimal mileage. Unveiled at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, this model was proclaimed by Porsche's motorsport division as their "most powerful, non-street legal, GT customer sports car ever built." It features significant upgrades over its road-legal counterpart, firmly restricting its use to the confines of a racetrack.
The Clubsport version, built upon the lightweight and stripped-down GT2 RS chassis, incorporates numerous race-specific enhancements. These include aerodynamic improvements such as a larger rear wing, a carbon fiber roof, engine cover, and hood, alongside an FIA-compliant roll cage and a high-performance, free-flowing race-spec exhaust system. The meticulous assembly of these vehicles takes place at Porsche's specialized motorsport facility in Flacht, the same location where other legendary race cars like the 911 GT3 Cup, 911 RSR, and the Le Mans-conquering 919 Hybrid LMP1 cars are crafted.
This specific car is unit number 65 of the 200 produced. The original sales invoice confirms it was sold to Max Verstappen in August 2019, complete with an additional set of wheels and a spares package. Verstappen, in conjunction with the Dutch racing team GP Elite, a prominent Porsche racing entity in the region, utilized the car for track day events. Documentation from the auctioneers highlights an instance in January 2020 where Max and his father, Jos Verstappen, were filmed driving the car during a test day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a Dutch miniseries titled 'Max Verstappen: Whatever It Takes,' which chronicles the young driver's journey to Formula 1.
Adding to its allure, Max Verstappen's signature adorns three distinct parts of the car: the passenger side of the dashboard, the engine bay, and the front carbon hood. His name, along with his manager Raymond Vermeulen's, and his former car number 33, is also displayed on the digital dash. The auction listing includes a photograph of Verstappen signing the vehicle and the original bill of sale, verifying his ownership. RM Sotheby's estimates the value of this Max Verstappen GT2 RS Clubsport to be between $550,000 and $650,000. It is part of their September 2025 Sealed Drop offerings, with bidding concluding on September 25. The odometer indicates approximately 2,190 kilometers from new, having remained largely in static storage since its import from Belgium to the U.S. in late 2022. For any Formula 1 devotee with the means, this Porsche represents more than just a car; it's a tangible link to a racing legend, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of his personal racing journey.