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Feann Torr24 Oct 2014
NEWS

Audi RS models to go hybrid

High performance Audi RS models to deliver electrifying performance by 2020
When stringent new European exhaust emission regulations ratchet up significantly in Europe by 2020, even high performance cars will need to adhere to the new legislation. That means companies like Audi's tuning partner quattro will have to adopt hybrid powertrains and other forms of electrification if its RS models are to maintain their extreme power levels.
By 2021, all new European cars must emit less than 95 grams of CO2 per kilometre, which equates to around 4.1L/100km in terms of fuel consumption, something that Heinz Hollerweger, Managing Director of Audi hotshop, quattro, says will force its hand.
Although he wouldn't be drawn on precisely what sort electrification the next-generation of Audi RS vehicles will adopt post 2020, he said RS models would have no trouble meeting the 95g/km CO2 limits.
"I don't think [it will be difficult]. But when we reduce below 100g/km, we have to add some kind of electrification," he observed.
The quattro chief agreed that by 2020 all RS models would have some form of electrification to improve fuel economy.
"The question is in which way," he posited.
"We could not exclude electrification, we would not exclude electrification. It is a technology that gives also some additional performance," he said, noting that everything from hybrids to electrically driven turbochargers and even the use of super capacitors could be adopted.
"There's no technical reasons why there couldn't be a five-cylinder hybrid," he said as an example, pointing out that the five-pot engine is a key part of the RS brand's character and heritage and will continue to be.
"Superconductors could be an interesting alternative because the weight is much lighter, but costs are much higher," he remarked.
Electrically-driven turbos, as shown in the Audi A6 TDI Concept earlier in the year, can also reduce fuel consumption and is also of great interest to the company, and could see production readiness before the end of 2016.
"This could be one form of electrification. You get high torque at low revs and blow up the mechanical turbo more. It's a logical development," explained Hollerweger.
There are also rumours of diesel-powered RS models, and the quattro MD noted that it was "an interesting field we are now dealing with" but said "no actual decision" had been made in regards to such a vehicle.
Whichever direction quattro chooses to take the Audi RS models in five years' time, it's clear that the high performance car landscape will be very different to what it is today.
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