Audi has confirmed it is working on a host of new plug-in hybrid models and one of them could take the form of an RS-badged vehicle.
In Germany, Audi sells plug-in versions of the Q5, Q7, A6, A7, and A8 and during a recent interview, Audi’s technical project manager for electrification, Bernhard Decker, said a new-generation plug-in A3, as well as a Q3 hybrid, are both in the pipeline.
“I’m actually quite happy to announce this year… we will see a number of cars coming – especially for the compact segment. That’s the A3 plug-in hybrid and our compact SUV, the Q3, will come as a plug-in hybrid to market,” he told Motoring. “And then, for this year we’ll round out the offer at the top end of the sporty SUV segment, because we will also bring the Q8 as a plug-in hybrid to market.”
Decker added that Audi does not view hybrids as a transitional technology and believes they are here to stay.
“For us, the plug-in hybrid is anything but a transitional technology. It is a technology here to stay, and it is a sensible addition to our powertrain line-up, because at the end of the day, for CO2-neutral mobility it is a key component,” he confirmed.
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As for a future Audi RS model with a plug-in hybrid, Decker indicated that it is in the works but failed to reveal anything more.
“These are really born and bred RS models… coming with a plug-in hybrid powertrain,” he said, before speaking about the advantages of combining an electric motor and a combustion engine.
It is unclear what Audi RS model could be the first to morph into a plug-in hybrid but it will likely be one of the automaker’s more premium models.
