The new Mercedes-AMG C63 is a powerhouse beast, but many enthusiasts will likely miss the old days with naturally aspirated V8s. Those days are now over for the Stuttgart-based automaker, as the new C63 family relies on a turbocharged, hybrid four-cylinder engine. Competition from Ingolstadt will also switch to electrified powertrains for the RS division, although that won’t come at the expense of larger V6 and V8 combustion engines.
The good news comes from Constantin Dressler, Head of Product Marketing at Audi Sport, who recently spoke to media representatives at an event in Spain. CNet was there and asked Dressler about Audi’s plans for the future of its performance division. The answer they got was pretty self-explanatory. “Of course we will also electrify our cars. But we will not do four cylinders.”
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We don’t speak the marketing language well, although it looks like Dessler is addressing concerns directly about Audi possibly going the same route as Mercedes. As a reminder, the new C63 comes with a 2.0-liter inline-four equipped with an electric turbocharger and supported by a two-speed electric motor on the rear axle. The result of this complex powertrain is a peak output of 671 horsepower (484 kilowatts) and a staggering 752 pound-feet (1,020 Newton-meters) of almost instantaneous torque.
In contrast, the 2023 RS5 uses a slightly older 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 without any form of electrification. Just like the previous model year, the performance coupe has 444 horsepower (331 kilowatts) and 442 pound-feet (600 Newton-meters) of torque. A new Competition Pack increases top speed to 180 mph (289 km/h) from the standard 155 mph (250 km/h).
Taking a look at Audi’s agenda for the RS family, the German company is currently working on the new RS Q5, which could become the first Audi Sport model to feature an electrified powertrain. Reportedly, this performance crossover could use a hybrid version of the same 2.9-liter V6 with an emphasis on performance over efficiency.
The new Mercedes-AMG C63 is a powerhouse beast, but many enthusiasts will likely miss the old days with naturally aspirated V8s. Those days are now over for the Stuttgart-based automaker, as the new C63 family relies on a turbocharged, hybrid four-cylinder engine. Competition from Ingolstadt will also switch to electrified powertrains for the RS division, although that won’t come at the expense of larger V6 and V8 combustion engines.
The good news comes from Constantin Dressler, Head of Product Marketing at Audi Sport, who recently spoke to media representatives at an event in Spain. CNet was there and asked Dressler about Audi’s plans for the future of its performance division. The answer they got was pretty self-explanatory. “Of course we will also electrify our cars. But we will not do four cylinders.”
24 Pictures
We don’t speak the marketing language well, although it looks like Dessler is addressing concerns directly about Audi possibly going the same route as Mercedes. As a reminder, the new C63 comes with a 2.0-liter inline-four equipped with an electric turbocharger and supported by a two-speed electric motor on the rear axle. The result of this complex powertrain is a peak output of 671 horsepower (484 kilowatts) and a staggering 752 pound-feet (1,020 Newton-meters) of almost instantaneous torque.
In contrast, the 2023 RS5 uses a slightly older 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 without any form of electrification. Just like the previous model year, the performance coupe has 444 horsepower (331 kilowatts) and 442 pound-feet (600 Newton-meters) of torque. A new Competition Pack increases top speed to 180 mph (289 km/h) from the standard 155 mph (250 km/h).
Taking a look at Audi’s agenda for the RS family, the German company is currently working on the new RS Q5, which could become the first Audi Sport model to feature an electrified powertrain. Reportedly, this performance crossover could use a hybrid version of the same 2.9-liter V6 with an emphasis on performance over efficiency.