Be it by the customer preference or the pressure from regulators, key sales regions of Audi Sport, namely Europe, North America, and China, are quickly transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. In response, Audi Sport plans to adopt electrification technologies and convert models into PHEVs or EVs in the next generation.
The Audi RS 6 Avant, the Audi RS 7 Sportback, and the Audi RS Q8, which are the bread and butter of Audi Sport, are mild hybrids. The next-gen models would graduate to have a plug-in hybrid powertrain or a pure electric powertrain. Sure, one reason customers take the RS models, besides enjoying their thrilling acceleration, is the pure aural pleasure that comes with flooring the pedal, especially in a tunnel. Like it or not, as Rolf Michl, Head of Sales and Marketing, Audi Sport, says, “Quiet is the new loud!”
Michl was talking about the future of Audi Sport in an internal interview. Audi Sport adopted mild-hybrid technology with the three models in 2019, as its first step. “Future model generations will take the RS range one step further, with high-performance plug-in hybrids and all-electric powertrains,” Michl said. In fact, since February 2021, the company already has a pure electric model in the line-up – the Audi RS e-tron GT.
A new-generation Audi RS 6 arrives anywhere between a year and two after the new-generation Audi A6. For example, in the fifth-generation A6’s case, Audi revealed the standard car in February 2018 (A6 Avant in April 2018), and then Audi Sport introduced its RS variant in August 2019.
The Audi RS 6 e-tron Avant may break the tradition and go on sale along with the A6 e-tron Avant in 2023/2024. The fact that the RS e-tron GT arrived together with the e-tron GT suggests that Audi Sport is considering to accelerate its new product introductions while switching to electric power. Then again, in the electric world, performance is silent and understated. Audi Sport might not need to make as many ‘loud’ changes for making the A6 e-tron’s RS variant as the A6’s RS variant. The revisions would be rather subtle, but with the standard car itself looking so sporty and aggressive, there’s no chance the RS 6 e-tron Avant would be a disappointment, not by a long shot.
More than 50% of RS electrified by 2024
As early as 2024, Audi Sport wants to offer more than half the high-performance models in partially or fully electrified form. Like how the company introduced mild-hybrid technology, it may follow a top-down approach for further electrification. Core models like the Audi RS 6 Avant and Audi RS 7 Sportback will likely get Audi Sport’s plug-in hybrid or electric powertrains before the smaller models.
The current-gen RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback arrived less than two years ago in summer 2019. They may receive plug-in hybrid technology with their mid-cycle refresh.
Future model generations will take the RS range one step further, with high-performance plug-in hybrids and all-electric powertrains.
Rolf Michl, Head of Sales and Marketing of Audi Sport
Audi Sport may launch the next-gen Audi RS 6 Avant and Audi RS 7 Sportback with an electric powertrain around 2025. The company may offer an electrified internal combustion engine option for markets that are still not ready for EVs only if there’s enough demand. With the presentation of the PPE-based A6 e-tron concept at Auto Shanghai 2021, the basis for an all-electric RS 6 Avant already exists. Check out the render Audi A6 Avant e-tron electric estate to get a taste of what Audi Sport has in store!
Featured image: Audi
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