Audi Promises RS Models Will Be Electrified 'In The Near Future'

Audi's 48-volt mild hybrid technology will 'proliferate' through the brand's model lines.

Nearly four years ago, Audi announced plans to bolster the electrical systems in its cars with newfangled 48-volt technology. One of the promised innovations from that development was an electrically-driven turbocharger that could virtually eliminate turbo lag. Unfortunately, all the benefits of Audi's 48-volt technology have not yet come to pass, but they could be on the horizon. Speaking with Anthony Garbis, Product Manager for RS 5, at the 2018 New York Auto Show, we learned RS models will get juiced sooner rather than later.

“You will see future Audi Sport models with electrification,” said Garbis as he was careful not to give specifics. “We will be thrilling you in the near future. Pretty soon. You’re going to be seeing some future RS models with electrification and 48-volt will proliferate through the model lines in the future.” While electrification could give RS models a performance boost, Audi could leverage the technology to hedge against future changes in global emissions regulations. Rumors of Audi applying its 48-volt technology to performance models have swirled since 2014, when then-head of Quattro GmbH, Heinz Hollerwerger, said the company was open to it.

“Really, to reduce below 100g, we have to add some kind of electrification,” Hollerwerger told CarAdvice at the time. “The question is, in which way? We could not exclude electrification and we would not exclude electrification. I think it’s a technology that gives some additional performance [as well as emission benefits].” As for which RS models could get electrified first, Garbis kept quiet. “We can’t really discuss much on that at the moment,” he said, though a logical application of the technology would likely be in the upper echelons of Audi's model range. Even so, don't expect it to happen on the R8 in conjunction with an engine smaller than a V10.

“R8 is a V10 car,” said Garbis. “You know, I love [the R8 turbo V6 rumor]. It always seems to come before an auto show, too. I don’t know why [...] Everyone says that and then I chuckle every time I read it, and then it goes away. So if that’s enough of an answer for you...”

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Audi Just Admitted It Sandbags Acceleration Times On RS Models

A smart move or a self-sacrificing act of stupidity?

It’s odd that exacting number lovers like the Germans have a tendency to lie about the performance numbers of the cars they build. Look towards the AMG, M, and Audi Sport divisions and you’ll see multiple examples of cars with horsepower ratings far off from what the dyno claims. Except instead of making their cars sound better than they really are, German automakers skew the opposite direction by sandbagging. Audi Sport head of technical development Stephan Reil just openly admitted that to Car Advice.

Speaking to the Australian motoring outlet about the new 2018 RS5, Reil mentioned that actual 0-62 mph times are expected to be lower than Audi’s claimed time of 3.9 seconds. “I’ve been in this job for nearly 20 years, and with all the cars I’ve worked on, the performance numbers we published were conservative. And it’s no different with the latest RS5,” said Reil. “So, if we say 3.9 seconds, you will measure, maybe, 3.7 if the conditions are fine, probably 3.8, but even under the worst conditions, you’ll do it in 3.9 seconds. But you will not find a 4.0.” That’s actually a good thing for drivers, but it could hurt Audi’s sales even if the effect is slight. So why do Audi and its German competitors undergo this practice?

“…The reason we are conservative with these numbers is simple. I simply don’t want to hear, when you guys write ‘well, they claim 3.9, but we got 4.0,” said Reil. “I don’t want to read that.” Fair enough, but what about the RS5’s peak power output of 450 horsepower, which matches the old 4.2-liter V8 despite the engine being swapped for a downsized twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6? According to Reil, output is accurate, but the new engine will still deliver improved performance. “Let me put it this way: The customer buys horsepower, but what he drives is torque,” he said. “And what’s important is how the engine delivers that torque. Does it come early, does it come with some lag, or does it come the moment you give it some throttle?”

Reil claims the only way we’ll see an improvement on that end is with new tech. “What we have done with the new RS5 is the best we can do right at this time, but of course technology gets old quickly, so we will be able to do better once new systems arrive, such as 48 Volt systems, which we will be able to fit into cars like this one – otherwise it’s more suited to SUVs like our SQ7 at the moment,” added Reil. The 48 Volt electrical system would make it easier for automakers to utilize electronically spooled turbochargers to better do away with lag. “For now, like with the RS5, we have placed the turbos inside the hot vee of the engine, and that reduces the pipework and increases gas flow and throttle response; therefore, minimal lag,” said Reil.

Mercedes uses the same tactic with a high degree of success, so as long as the RS5 works as advertised or better, we’ll go along without complaint.

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Audi Will Let You Drive These Models For $1,395 A Month

The monthly fee will provide access to the A5 convertible, S5 coupe or Q5 or Q7 crossover.

Audi is the latest automaker to join the car subscription service bandwagon in the US, following the likes of BMW, Volvo, Porsche and Cadillac. Dubbed Audi Select, the new subscription service lets customers swap a selected range of vehicles and provides access to Audi rentals in two dozen domestic markets. There is a catch, though – the service is currently only being trialled at five dealerships in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

For a fee of $1,395 a month, customers will have access to an A4 sedan, A5 convertible, S5 coupe or Q5 or Q7 crossover. According to Automotive News, subscribers can swap vehicles up to twice a month and hold any vehicle for up to six months.

Like other similar subscription services, the monthly fee includes taxes, maintenance and insurance, but does not cover fuel costs. You also have to be at least 25 years old and hold a valid driver's license free of major moving violations to be eligible.

Audi’s first US subscription service also entitles customers to up to 25 days of Audi rentals annually through Silvercar in 24 markets including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Denver. Reservations can be booked through the Silvercar app before the car is delivered to you.

While the service is currently only being trialled in Texas, the automaker plans to roll out Audi Select in other markets in the future if the trial is successful. “We do want to do this in other markets, but we need to learn what we need to learn before we move to other markets,” said Audi of America CFO Matt Carpenter. He went on to describe the program as a "new interaction" and said he expects the expansion to be announced by the end of the year.

Audi Wants To Double Range Of Hardcore RS Models

Hopefully some of these models will make it to the US.

The Audi Sport division has confirmed that it wants to double the number of available RS models from seven to 14. Division boss, and former Lamborghini CEO, Stephan Winkelmann told Autocar that “There is more to come,” and that “We have one company, one name and we have a brand. But we will remain exclusive.” As of right now, Audi's RS lineup is limited to the RS3, RSQ3, TT RS Coupe and Convertible, RS6, RS7 and R8. Within the next 18 months, Audi wants to expand this lineup to include more models.

The brand didn't say which models will get the RS treatment. We would assume that an RS4 and RS5 will come along to challenge the BMW M3 and M4, and a RSQ5 could compete against the rumored X3M. Audi is being mum with its plans, saying that it doesn't want to be like AMG. Winkelmann said “We are not going to do what they do. We have a lot of plans but are not revealing them yet. It is better to under-promise and over-deliver.” AMG has been hard at work giving almost every Mercedes model a hardcore variant and coming out with standalone models like the AMG GT. Audi currently builds the R8, but is noncommittal about adding more standalone models.

We don't think that Audi needs to match AMG, but it does need more RS models. In the US especially, Audi's RS models can't compete with M and AMG models. BMW currently offers the M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, X5M and X6M. Mercedes currently offers AMG versions of the C-Class, CLA-Class, E-Class, CLS-Class, S-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, and G-Class. In the US, Audi only currently offers the RS7, and the upcoming RS3 and TT RS, so there's plenty of room for expansion.

Audi Will Let You Drive These Models For $1,395 A Month

The monthly fee will provide access to the A5 convertible, S5 coupe or Q5 or Q7 crossover.

Audi is the latest automaker to join the car subscription service bandwagon in the US, following the likes of BMW, Volvo, Porsche and Cadillac. Dubbed Audi Select, the new subscription service lets customers swap a selected range of vehicles and provides access to Audi rentals in two dozen domestic markets. There is a catch, though – the service is currently only being trialled at five dealerships in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

For a fee of $1,395 a month, customers will have access to an A4 sedan, A5 convertible, S5 coupe or Q5 or Q7 crossover. According to Automotive News, subscribers can swap vehicles up to twice a month and hold any vehicle for up to six months.

Like other similar subscription services, the monthly fee includes taxes, maintenance and insurance, but does not cover fuel costs. You also have to be at least 25 years old and hold a valid driver's license free of major moving violations to be eligible.

Audi’s first US subscription service also entitles customers to up to 25 days of Audi rentals annually through Silvercar in 24 markets including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Denver. Reservations can be booked through the Silvercar app before the car is delivered to you.

While the service is currently only being trialled in Texas, the automaker plans to roll out Audi Select in other markets in the future if the trial is successful. “We do want to do this in other markets, but we need to learn what we need to learn before we move to other markets,” said Audi of America CFO Matt Carpenter. He went on to describe the program as a "new interaction" and said he expects the expansion to be announced by the end of the year.

Audi Sends Off A4 Manual Models With Special Ultra Sport Model

What a lovely way to celebrate the manual transmission's death.

Earlier this month, we got a sad bit of news when Audi announced that the 2019 A4 sedan and A5 coupe would no longer be offered with a manual transmission, making 2018 the last year you can buy an Audi with a manual in the United States. The lone transmission option will now be a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Audi understands that enthusiasts will likely be upset by this decision, but the company has decided to reward them with a limited edition model before the manual transmission is killed off for good.

This limited edition will be called the A4 Ultra sport, a name that was used on the B6 generation car to make the base A4 look as aggressive as an S4. The current B9 generation S4 isn't even available with a manual transmission, only an eight-speed automatic, so this new A4 Ultra sport will truly be unique. Audi says the last 40 manual 2018 A4 models to roll off the assembly line will be this new Ultra sport, equipped with some unique touches.

Each of the 40 cars was built identically from Premium Plus trim levels, which includes an advanced key, SiriusXM, driver memory, parking sensors, Bang & Olufsen stereo, LED headlights, power folding and auto-dimming side mirrors, and Audi virtual cockpit with navigation.

Beyond that, the Ultra sport package costs an additional $6,800 and adds stainless steel pedals, leatherette covered center console and door armrests, a flat bottom perforated steering wheel, dynamic steering, sport adaptive damping suspension, sport front seats, S line leather/Alcantara interior, Audi Sport RS carbon inlays, carbon fiber mirror caps, carbon fiber rear lip spoiler, 19-inch 5-arm-rotor design wheels, summer tires, Titanium Black exterior package, badge deletion, and Quantum Gray paint.

All of these parts can be found on other B9 models including the S4 and RS4, but are special when equipped on an A4. According to Audi Club North America, all 40 cars are currently sitting at port and Audi recommends placing an order now before they are all gone.

Audi Will Let You Drive These Models For $1,395 A Month

The monthly fee will provide access to the A5 convertible, S5 coupe or Q5 or Q7 crossover.

Audi is the latest automaker to join the car subscription service bandwagon in the US, following the likes of BMW, Volvo, Porsche and Cadillac. Dubbed Audi Select, the new subscription service lets customers swap a selected range of vehicles and provides access to Audi rentals in two dozen domestic markets. There is a catch, though – the service is currently only being trialled at five dealerships in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

For a fee of $1,395 a month, customers will have access to an A4 sedan, A5 convertible, S5 coupe or Q5 or Q7 crossover. According to Automotive News, subscribers can swap vehicles up to twice a month and hold any vehicle for up to six months.

Like other similar subscription services, the monthly fee includes taxes, maintenance and insurance, but does not cover fuel costs. You also have to be at least 25 years old and hold a valid driver's license free of major moving violations to be eligible.

Audi’s first US subscription service also entitles customers to up to 25 days of Audi rentals annually through Silvercar in 24 markets including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Denver. Reservations can be booked through the Silvercar app before the car is delivered to you.

While the service is currently only being trialled in Texas, the automaker plans to roll out Audi Select in other markets in the future if the trial is successful. “We do want to do this in other markets, but we need to learn what we need to learn before we move to other markets,” said Audi of America CFO Matt Carpenter. He went on to describe the program as a "new interaction" and said he expects the expansion to be announced by the end of the year.