Earlier this year, Audi Sport’s chief, Sebastian Grams, hinted at a more potent RS3 with the turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. The current version produces 401 hp in the United States and 394 hp in Europe, but an upcoming facelift may bring even more power. It’s unclear whether this extra power will be applied to the RS3 hatchback and/or sedan. Additionally, the RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback models, sharing the MQB platform with the RS3, are still part of Audi’s sporty gasoline-powered lineup.
As exciting as the near future sounds for fans of gasoline-powered RS models, Audi has already set a timeline for transitioning to electric vehicles. The company plans to launch its final ICE-powered models in 2025, with all product launches from 2026 onwards being purely electric. Audi aims to cease the production of gasoline and diesel vehicles entirely by 2033 in favor of electric propulsion.
