Audi has been making quick wagons for 30 years, beginning with the 1994 RS2 Avant constructed along with Porsche. That will not cease anytime quickly because the 4 Rings have expressed their long-term dedication to efficiency Avant fashions. When requested by journalists whether or not there’s a future for quick estates, RS 6 GT technical mission supervisor Nils Fischer stated: “I might undoubtedly say sure, for certain.”
The limited-run RS6 Avant GT particular version is described by Audi as a “mannequin that reaches its most.” Nevertheless, the corporate is strictly speaking concerning the outgoing C8 era. A follow-up to the present tremendous wagon is coming earlier than 2026, at which level the German luxurious model goes to launch solely EVs. It means there’s nonetheless time for a remaining RS6 era with a combustion engine.
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Audi Head of Analysis & Improvement Stephan Reil has already confirmed the following RS6 will preserve the gasoline engine however with an electrical motor thrown into the combination. Even the outgoing mannequin has a small dose of electrification contemplating the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 includes a mild-hybrid setup. Its successor is predicted to make use of a plug-in hybrid system, and hopefully, constructed round a V8.
When the next-gen mannequin arrives, it’s going to go by one other identify. The Ingolstadt marque has introduced the A6 fashions with a combustion engine will transition to the A7 household. It successfully means an RS7 Avant is coming, as bizarre as that may sound. That may allow Audi to launch purely electrical A6 fashions, together with an RS6 as a wagon model of the already spied RS6 sedan.
Automobile paparazzi have already caught on digicam prototypes of an A6 Avant E-Tron testing with the total manufacturing physique. That electrical wagon will journey on the Premium Platform Electrical (PPE) structure Audi has developed with Porsche. The primary mannequin to make the most of the {hardware} is the lately launched second-generation Macan. The brand new crossover has as much as 630 hp and 833 lb-ft (1,130 Nm) for the Turbo mannequin, so anticipate some wholesome numbers from a future RS6 Avant E-Tron.
Lest we neglect the smaller RS4 Avant, a forbidden fruit in america. It too will stay to see one other era with a unique identify. The longer term RS5 Avant can also be going to make use of a plug-in hybrid association, per an announcement made by former Audi Sport Head of Improvement Oliver Hoffmann in 2019.
On the RS6 GT’s world debut, an organization spokesperson stated we must always “keep tuned” for performance-oriented Avant fashions. Audi Product Advertising and marketing Supervisor Kenneth Dose assured fanatics quick wagons are right here to remain: “I believe the previous has confirmed that there was a previous for the wagons, and after we take a look at the vehicles and the way lovely vehicles like that also may be developed, we predict there’s undoubtedly a future.
The competitors isn’t abandoning potent wagons both. BMW lastly has an M3 Touring in its ever-growing M portfolio and is about to carry again the M5 Touring. The previous isn’t bought in america, however a number of stories state the latter may simply get a US visa. Bavaria’s massive property goes to debut later in 2024 with a plug-in hybrid V8 rumored to make over 700 horsepower. Come 2025, a beefier M3 CS Touring will hit the market.
At Mercedes, the AMG C63 shouldn’t be what it was once. It has misplaced the brawny V8 in favor of an intricate plug-in hybrid powertrain primarily based round a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter engine. The long-roof mannequin is not destined for the US market both.
Though the German luxurious trio has been obsessive about launching SUVs of all sizes, it isn’t giving up on good ol’ estates. The thrilling ones will all be electrified to fulfill more and more stringent emissions rules, albeit the M3 Touring will not get a charging port in its present era. Nevertheless, BMW M has confirmed an electrical M3 sedan is deliberate on the Neue Klasse platform, so an equal wagon looks as if an informed guess.
The 2020s are seemingly going to symbolize the final full decade of quick wagons with a combustion engine at the start turns into electrical. A number of the vehicles may survive into the early 2030s, however the clock is already ticking for ICE energy in a efficiency property.
