In the world of reporting car rumors, you tend to learn how to listen – who to listen to (i.e. reliable sources) and what to listen for (i.e. details that make sense). Today it’s the latter that came in the form of a random Instagram post by an account with virtually no followers and it centered on the upcoming RS 6 (C9).
So, let’s dig in.
A couple weeks ago, I saw a comment come in on an RS 6 test mule post. The account ad an alphanumerically gibberish name, the no-profile uploaded profile image and precisely no followers. And while that could be a red flag as a fake account, instinct also suggests it could have been a burner account for someone not wanting to share what they were about to share with their real account.
So, @23ta34hygae35hsy shared on a mid-April post the following:
“No V8, same engine as the RS5. Compared to the RS5: More powerful P2 electric motor; An additional P3 electric motor; Larger battery; More powerful E-TV system (the one on the RS5 is incomplete; Louder exhaust system; Wider tires; And more.”
“E-TV system” likely means electric torque-vectoring system, which is the element that gives the new RS 5 its throttle-on-oversteer drift-ability.
WHAT TO MAKE OF IT
Watching rumors around the RS 6, just which engine it receives is a point of contention. One camp suggests an updated version of the 4.0 TFSI biturbo from the outgoing RS 6 Avant – effectively the same setup already available in the Bentley Continental GT or the flagship Porsche Continental Turbo E-Hybrid. Another places it as the same 2.9-liter biturbo found in the RS 5.
One contact within the Audi development space has told me they’ve seen mules running both engine configurations. If true, that suggests Audi was seriously weighing both options – as well they should since the BMW M5 Touring has a V8 hybrid while the Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid utilizes a V6 Hybrid. Either choice will be heavy, and we also know the obvious cost implications.
If this rumor is to be believed, and I have reason to suspect it is, then it appears Audi’s approach will be the lighter engine with greater electric assistance… at least greater than that of the RS 5.
