New RS3 previewed as Audi Sport announces future hybrid, EV offerings

As Sebastian Grams and Rolf Michl of Audi Sport stood beside camouflaged prototypes of the RS3 sedan and hatch, they explained the electric direction Audi's performance arm will take in the near future. 

The compact RS3 will reportedly use its predecessor's 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five engine, but will bump the hp and torque to 394 and 480Nm. Those numbers will be managed by a dual-clutch transmission and sent to all four wheels. 

"Our goal in the high-performance segment is to redefine the future of personal transportation and make it an even more emotional experience," Audi Sport Managing Director Sebastian Grams (below) said. 

That redefining came in the form of the RS e-tron GT, the first all-electric performance RS model, which "unveiled a completely new, highly emotional side of the RS family," he added. 

With 637hp and 830Nm of torque, the RS e-tron GT's  "acceleration is incredible and is sure to wow even the most skeptical critics," Audi Sport Head of Sales and Marketing Rolf Michl (below) described.

 

 

"This is another milestone for us as we enter a new era of all-electric high performance that appeals to both our loyal long-time customers and new customers," he added.

Aside from the e-tron GT, the RS 6 Avant, RS 7 Sportback, and RS Q8 currently offer part electrification. These cars are powered by four-liter V8 biturbo TFSI engines with 48-volt mild hybrid systems, and cylinder-on-demand technology.

With the mild-hybrid system, it can let the vehicle coast for up to 40 seconds with the engine switched off. Additionally, the engine’s cylinder-on-demand system can deactivate some of the cylinders to reduce fuel consumption.

"Future model generations will take the RS range one step further, with high-performance plug-in hybrids and all-electric powertrains," Grams said. It's likely that the upcoming RS3 cars will pack a mild hybrid system, too. 

"We expect to offer more than half of our high-performance models in partially or fully electrified form as early as 2024. And by 2026, this figure will likely even be as high as 80 percent. We want to offer our customers the right products and services for their specific markets and segments,” Michl said.

Michl added that the company also sees a “significant potential” in the high-performance SUV segment. By 2030, all Audi Sport models will come as plug-in hybrids or fully electric vehicles. 

Audi Sport said it delivered more than 29,300 vehicles to customers in 2020. With more than 15 R and RS models currently available, it also said has its largest product range ever. 

Sales in regions such as Europe, North America, China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, all contributed to the figure, the German marque said. 

As for the RS e-tron GT and its base car, the e-tron GT,  they will allow 800 volts of fast charging via direct current (DC). That means a true fast charging time of 30 minutes from five percent to 80 percent batter capacity. 

On standard alternating current (AC), an empty battery can be fully charged overnight to cover a maximum range of 488 kilometers.

Photos from Audi

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