Audi Firmly Rejects Four-Cylinder RS5, Sticking with V6 Plug-In Hybrid

The all-new Audi RS5 has recently been unveiled, confirming it will retain the 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, now paired with an electric motor to form a plug-in hybrid system delivering a combined output of 630 horsepower. In response to a trend among some brands—such as Mercedes-Benz—toward using four-cylinder engines in performance cars, Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport, stated unequivocally that the company had “never for a single second” considered switching the RS5 to a four-cylinder engine. Although a non-plug-in hybrid version was initially evaluated, development chief Steffen Bamberger ultimately deemed it impractical due to its limited all-electric range of only about 6 miles and a substantial system weight increase of 330 pounds. Additionally, Audi currently has no plans to offer a non-hybrid version specifically for the U.S. market, citing the development of a powertrain tailored exclusively to one market as “too challenging.” The new RS5 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and has a curb weight of 5,225 pounds—a significant increase over its predecessor.