Audi Sport will offer only one powertrain in each RS model in future, rather than giving buyers the option of pure combustion-engined or electrified powertrains.
While sibling brand Volkswagen will offer GTI petrol, GTD diesel and GTE plug-in hybrid performance versions of its new Volkswagen Golf, Audi Sport sales and marketing boss Rolf Michl has confirmed this won’t be the case for upcoming RS models.
Currently, the only electrified model in the line-up is the RS6 Avant, a 48V mild-hybrid, but plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles will arrive in the next couple of years and become a crucial part of Audi Sport’s overall range.
The first of these models to arrive will be a plug-in hybrid RS4 and the electric E-tron GT RS, both due before 2023.
Michl said: “We are well-known for precise portfolio planning, and we want to keep it easy for the customer. We will have one car with one engine. It doesn’t make sense to have different variants.
“Maybe there will be different variants for different concepts, whether they are electrified, internal combustion-engined or otherwise, but every model will have a single drivetrain.”
Michl described Audi Sport’s approach to electrification as “step-by-step”.
He said: “Audi AG is positioning itself as consistently electric. The first step of electrification is already done with the RS6 and there will be fully electric versions with the E-tron GT.
“Our main focus is performance and everyday usability. There are brilliant aspects [of electrification] for performance cars, such as torque vectoring and amazing cornering speeds. Electrified performance can absolutely be emotional.”
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Audi Sport to go electric with RS-branded E-tron GT
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The word Audi makes me wretch
The word Audi makes me wretch, as indeed do all of its products.
The phrase 'torque vectoring'
I would pay to have it removed.
Electrification building momentum
Lastly, it'll costs motorists 0,000's and 0,000's to keep up with the environment friendly Jones'. Not to mention being judged.
Just Saying wrote:
You ll be looking wrong then - electric cars pollute the environment LESS, which is a good thing, but they are not totally pollution free as your post implies.