Next-gen RS4 could get supercharged V6 in place of V8

Posted Thu Jul 17 2008 12:44 PM by Nelson Ireson

Downsizing engines and adding forced induction is the new wave in fuel economy engineering as companies strive to maintain performance levels and the latest reports indicate Audi is leaping into the ring with both feet, lopping two cylinders from its mighty RS4 sedan and replacing them with a supercharger. Enthusiasts may lament the loss of the extra pots, but purists will relish the return to six-cylinder forced induction.

The next-generation RS4 will feature a 3.0L supercharged V6. The same basic unit will also power the somewhat tamer S4, though it will no doubt be in higher tune in its RS application. The outgoing generation RS4 is powered by a 4.2L V8 rated at 414hp (309kW). Power figures for the new engine aren't yet known, but the new supercharged V6 is expected to be thoroughly sport.

Speculated figures place the S4's version of the powerplant at 350hp (261kW). Adding the requisite power bump to the RS4 model would place output back on par with the V8 model, and thanks to the supercharged induction, a very wide torque band would be available from an even lower RPM, reports Sweden's Auto Motor und Sport - all ingredients for very strong performance.

The original Audi RS4 was a forced-induction V6, though it was a twin-turbo unit generating 261hp (195kW) from its 2.6L displacement. Efficiency ratings of forced induction technologies have advanced somewhat since the first twin-turbo RS4 was built in late 1999 and the addition of twin-turbos or any dual-charging system to the current RS4 has been dismissed as prohibitively complex and expensive for the gains over a single supercharger design.

Whether Audi will actually follow through with the return to a forced-induction six-cylinder or not remains to be seen, but with impending fuel and emissions standards tightening around the world, even the high-performance luxury carmakers will have to change to keep fleet averages in line.

Reader Comments

Thu Jul 17 2008 1:20 PM
mike says

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Should have just supercharged the current V8 for more power;)
Thu Jul 17 2008 2:33 PM
Andrew says

But when you can get the same power with less fuel use, it's just as important of a step as adding more power.
Thu Jul 17 2008 3:07 PM
Gus says

True, but that V8 sure sounded good when it was being stepped on...
Thu Jul 17 2008 3:58 PM
brian says

it would be nice to get the same performance for less gas/petrol. My B7 S4 gets 18mpg...its fun to drive but its painfully at the pump.
Thu Jul 17 2008 4:36 PM
Matt says

Owners of the current RS4 (which I am) do not really care about mileage. Audi is stupid to go this way especially with the new rivals from Mercedes and BMW.
Thu Jul 17 2008 4:51 PM
Andrew says

Just because no one cares is not an excuse not to do it when you give up nothing in performance.
Thu Jul 17 2008 5:17 PM
Gus says

I think it will be a great car.
Audi seems to be the only ones capable of making a good looking car from Germany these days (besides Porsche).
The new S5 is really good looking.
Thu Jul 17 2008 5:51 PM
alilua says

What next? Inline 6-cylinder for F1?
Thu Jul 17 2008 9:14 PM
Andrew says

There's I-4s in some F1 cars.
Fri Jul 18 2008 5:16 AM
Tom Russell says

The engine of the first generation Audi RS4 was a 2.7 litre twin turbo V6 putting out 280kw/380hp as opposed to 195kw/261hp but apart from that error, good story.

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