Audi reverses 2033 ICE phase out plan

Audi has officially cancelled its plan to end the development and sale of internal combustion engines (ICEs) by 2033. The German luxury carmaker had previously planned to end ICE production in 2026, but it recently hinted at ditching the plan due to slower-than-anticipated EV adoption. Speaking to our sister publication, Autocar UK, Audi CEO Gernot Dollner confirmed that he reversed the phase-out plan, set by the previous management, because of his belief in “[powertrain] flexibility”.

Work on developing new ICE and hybrid models is underway
Audi RS6 V8 may add plug-in hybrid system and EV powertrain
The reversal extends to Audi’s RS models too

New Audi ICE and hybrid models incoming

New ICE and PHEV models by 2026

Audi CEO Gernot Dollner face Audi CEO Gernot Dollner.

Dollner added that Audi has a whole suite of ICE and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) chalked out up until 2026, which it plans to manufacture for nearly 10 years, depending on how the markets develop. The new A5, Q5 and, more recently, the third-generation Audi Q3 have emerged from this set, offering powertrain options like petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid.

Q3, A3 to be range starters

New Audi Q3 exterior headlights
New Audi Q3.

With no plans to bring in new versions of the Q2 and A1, the Audi Q3 and A3 models will be the entry points to the brand’s line-up. Dollner also made it clear that an all-electric A3-sized model, essentially Audi’s version of the Volkswagen ID.2/Skoda Epiq, is not on the cards.

Audi RS6 to retain V8 with new hybrid alongside EV

To use PPE and PPC bases

Audi A6 Avant e-hybrid (used for representation).

The Audi chief went on to state that the new strategy also extends to the high-performance RS line-up. The announcement was followed by the news of the fifth-generation RS6 getting a plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain as well as a fully electric one for the first time. This will be made possible by using a twin-platform strategy, with the RS6 E-tron EV being underpinned by Volkswagen’s Premium Platform Electric base, and the combustion-powered RS6 adopting the Premium Platform Combustion, an evolved version of its current MLB base.

Porsche’s plug-in hybrid setup most likely

Porsche Cayenne Turbo E (used for representation).

To be compatible with the upcoming Euro 7 norms, the ICE RS6 may wed a plug-in hybrid setup to its 630hp 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine. It’ll most likely borrow the hybrid powertrain from either the 740hp-Porsche Cayenne Turbo E or the 782hp-Panamera Turbo S E. The latter boasts a 0-100kph time of 2.9 seconds, topping out at 325kph. As for the RS6 E-tron, it will be equipped with a dual-motor arrangement similar to the S6 E-tron, which develops 551hp. While the 94.8kWh battery will be shared with the A6 E-tron, Audi will reportedly tune the RS6 E-tron for higher outputs.

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