As you probably know if you follow automotive news closely, starting in 2026, Audi will stop developing new models with internal combustion engines. So there are still three years to go before the final farewell, and the model that would mark that end should make a splash. A lot of noise.

Indeed, according to Mark Lichte, Audi’s head of design, in an interview with Top Gear UK, he claimed that the last Audi RS with an internal combustion engine should be “impressive”. But what does that really mean?

” I assure you, both versions, electric and thermal, will be impressive. Especially the latest generation of RS models with internal combustion engines. It will be unheard of”– said Mark Lichte, without going into details, leaving a slight bitter taste in our mouths.

However, it must be admitted that comments made a few months ago by Stefan Reil, former head of Audi Sport and current head of R&D, coincide with those of the head of design: “We have to go the hybrid route and the next generation RS 6 Avant will be even more hybrid than the current one. The path to 100% electricity is already planned. »

The latest Audi RS will be a hybrid

Therefore, there will be an additional stage of electrification before the electric one (the current Audi RS 6 is micro-hybridized) with much larger batteries and the ability to drive solely thanks to the electric motor, like the new Mercedes-AMG C63.

Now the question arises: what will be under the hood? Will it stick with the current 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 or, like the Mercedes, will we find a four-cylinder? The fans obviously hoped so V8 maintenance, although the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 would be a good alternative, as would the five-cylinder 2.5-liter TFSI. But for the latter, the chances are slim, as they should be limited to the RS 3.

However, this would not be the first time that an Audi hybrid powerplant was based on a five-cylinder engine: in 1989, the Audi Duo concept was presented. A five-cylinder engine drove the front wheels, and a small electric unit drove the rear wheels.

Curiosity aside, the term “spectacular” implies performance that has never been achieved before. Knowing that the current Audi RS 6 in the Performance version (630 hp and 850 Nm) accelerates from 0 to 100 in 3.6 seconds, who knows what will happen with the new one. When will she arrive? A presentation in 2024 cannot be ruled out, as marketing is expected in 2025.

Electric before battery hybrid

If the arrival of a plug-in hybrid version is not expected for another two years, the electric Audi RS 6 will have less to wait. Its arrival is indeed scheduled for 2024, possibly a few months after the presentation of the production version of the Audi A6 e-tron, based on the Audi Grandsphere concept car.

According to Mark Lichte, the battery-powered RS 6 will have a completely different style than the A6 e-tron, with wider tracks, bigger wheels and a body with new elements. Power? It should significantly exceed 598 hp. Audi RS e-tron GT and get closer to 800 hp.