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The Next Audi RS6 And RS7 Are Getting Another New Set Of Drivetrains, This Time Hybrid V6 And Full EV

Image for article titled The Next Audi RS6 And RS7 Are Getting Another New Set Of Drivetrains, This Time Hybrid V6 And Full EV

Screenshot: NCars on YouTube

Audi’s lineup is going through a bit of a revamp right now, and the most exciting Audi Sport–developed RS versions of the mid-sized A6 and A7 are going through final testing right now, both likely to bow later this year. In previous generations the RS6 and RS7 shared the same drivetrains with slightly different shaped bodies, the former sedans and wagons and the latter a four-door Sportback. The first RS6, new for the C5 generation, uses a twin-turbo V8, the C6 gen got a naturally aspirated V10, and the model returned to a twin-turbo V8 for the C7 and C8 generations, which also introduced the sleeker RS7. This time around, the two cars will diverge in both shape and propulsion as the RS7 gets a twin-turbo plug-in-hybrid V6 and the RS6 goes EV only.

Audi has committed to a future where odd-numbered cars are powered by gas engines, while the even numbered cars are all-electric, which explains that bit. Regardless of how you want your future Audi, they’ll both be fast as all heck and have more power than you’ll know what to do with. The outgoing four-liter twin-turbo engine packs 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, so you can bet that both upcoming super sedans will see increases over that.

As reported by the UK’s CAR Magazine, sources indicate the new RS6 E-Tron will be based on the fully electric A6 E-Tron, which is built on Volkswagen Group’s PPE platform used by the Q6 E-Tron and Porsche Macan EV. This 800-volt architecture has super fast charging, and the RS6 will have motors front and rear good for an estimated 630 horsepower and 830 lb-ft of torque. Allegedly the car will have enough battery to enable 400 miles of range. Yeah, that should do it.

The A6 E-Tron Avant

The A6 E-Tron Avant
Image: Audi (modified by Bradley Brownell)

Similarly, the next RS7 will have electric propulsion, but only as an aide to the gasoline combustion powertrain as a speedy plug-in hybrid. The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 is gone, and in its place is a twin-turbo V6, likely three liters in displacement, shared with the next RS5. CAR’s sources say the RS5 will make about 600 ponies while the RS7 is going to have around 725, with the delta made up by more powerful electric motors and a bigger battery pack. The RS7 will be sold as either an Avant wagon or as a Sportback.

If you’re looking for your next Autobahn burner sport luxury sedan (or wagon?) the next-gen RS products seem to be bringing the speed forward into the future of propulsion. As the owner of a plug-in hybrid Audi wagon, I, for one, am looking forward to the RS7 Avant. What about you? EV or PHEV?

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