Audi RS 4 Switching To V6 Turbo Power: Report

Audi could follow its German counterpart BMW by switching its midsized performance model from eight- to six-cylinder power, according to reports out of the US.

Car And Driver reports Audi’s next RS 4 performer will feature a turbocharged V6 engine in place of the current model’s 4.2 litre V8, but power will still get a bump over current outputs (the fans expect nothing less).

It’s not the first time a six-pot powerplant has been suggested for the next RS 4, but Audi’s Heinz Hollerweger has now indirectly confirmed the plans with comments suggesting that the V8’s run is nearing an end.

“I think that power has increased more than enough, and of course other performance is improved too,” Hollerweger said.

The current RS 4 Avant’s 4.2 litre V8 is good for 331kW/430Nm, with the wagon hitting 100km/h from rest in 4.7 seconds. 

The power output pips the previous V8-powered M3 at 309kW/400Nm, and compares favourably with the new M3 and M4’s twin-turbo 3.0 litre six-cylinder engine making 317kW.