My tester sported the $2,000 Black Optic package, which gives it 21s with grippy Michelin summer tires — though there’s a good chance these knock a few miles off of its EPA-estimated range. Whether in the damper assemblies’ Comfort or Dynamic setting, ride quality was quite good over LA’s most brutal streets, and speed bumps were dealt with particularly well.

The even firmer Dynamic Plus was solid and surprisingly agreeable, too. Squeaks and rattles over such cursed surfaces were negligible, though the same can’t be said for driveway clearance scrapes — luckily, there’s some reassuringly substantial plastic on the underside of the front bumper.

But the real test came on LA’s freeway system, as that’s where any good fast German sedan should flourish — and the S6 did just that. Wind noise was virtually nonexistent, and it felt very well planted and confident.

) In town, steering was too light, albeit nicely direct in its response, and thankfully it became more weighted at highway speed. 4:1 steering ratio was well matched for its size and heft, and it never felt too darty while making split-second lane changes.

It may be down on power compared to its BMW rival, but its numbers were still more than ample and its progressive powerb and instilled confidence. Going way beyond the speed limit bolstered this confidence even further.

Then, on the winding roads of Angeles National Forest just north of Los Angeles, the S6 behaved particularly well. Due to its chassis balance and rear-biased power output, there was never any inkling of understeer, which is characteristic among many Audis of yore.

Its tires gripped up well and body roll was basically nonexistent in particularly lateral-G-heavy corners. With traction / stability control shut off, all signs pointed to the S6 being able to exhibit legitimately fun oversteer, which is a welcome trait.

If only I could revisit such enthusiasm on a local racetrack. Finally, its brakes don’t look like much compared to rest of this hefty sedan’s dimensions, but they capably shaved off speed, especially with B mode aiding in the effort.

Audi’s proven that the luxurious and fast German sports sedan formula applies to EVs, too, in the latest S6 Sportback E-tron. Over 300 miles of range (ideally) and good charging speed is a solid starting point, and its overall balance of comfort and athleticism makes it one of the best big fast sedans that I’ve ever driven.

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