AUDI

Audi still analyzing the future of the five-cylinder engine

The fate of Audi's five-cylinder engine has not been decided. Although it seemed to be going down in history, Audi is reconsidering the future of its regular five-cylinder engine. Hybridization is mentioned as an option to save the 2.5 TFSI engine, but small production series still pose an obstacle to such an investment.

For a while, it looked like Audi’s legendary five-cylinder engine was heading for the history books. Now, the Four Rings are having second thoughts. Audi Sport boss Rolf Michl has revealed that the company is still evaluating the future of the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, suggesting the inline-five could survive into another generation.

One factor working in the engine’s favor is the RS 3 itself. Michl has been involved with all three generations of the five-cylinder-powered model and views it as an important entry point into Audi’s RS lineup. “The entrance into the RS world is important because having a brand statement like that is amazing,” Michl said. “Emotion starts in the compact segment.”

Keeping the engine alive won’t be easy. Hybridization could help Audi meet tougher emissions standards, similar to the approach taken with the new RS 5, although that would introduce additional cost, complexity and weight.

Another possibility would be spreading the development costs across more Volkswagen Group products. The RS 3 and Cupra Formentor VZ5 already share the MQB architecture used by numerous Volkswagen Group vehicles, and reports have suggested an extreme Golf R could eventually receive five-cylinder power.

Nothing has been decided yet. Michl stressed that Audi is still evaluating its options with Audi AG.

But the fact that Audi is trying to find a business case for the engine should give enthusiasts some hope. At a time when Audi is emphasizing its heritage and attempting to inject more emotion back into its products, killing one of the most distinctive engines in the company’s history would be unfortunate timing.

That is a pretty significant plot twist considering Audi had previously indicated that the investment needed to make the engine comply with tougher emissions regulations wasn't worth it. 'We're well aware about the historical meaning of the five-cylinder,” Michl told Autocar. “Evaluations are still running,” he added, pointing out that he also has “a personal relationship” with the engine after working on all three generations of the RS3. He described the five-cylinder as “so characteristic” and “deeply rooted in history.”

That sounds considerably more optimistic than what Audi was saying less than a year ago. Back in September 2025, we noted how CEO Gernot Döllner had effectively signaled the end was near for the 2.5 TFSI. The engine could technically be modified to satisfy Euro 7, but Audi didn't want to spend the money because the RS3 doesn't sell in sufficient numbers to justify the investment.

At the time, the writing appeared to be on the wall. The TT RS and RS Q3 were already gone, leaving the RS3 as the sole Audi model using the five-cylinder. The engine was expected to disappear from Europe when the next stage of Euro 7 takes effect in November.

Things became slightly less gloomy earlier this year when Audi confirmed to Motor1 that the RS3 itself would continue outside Europe. As we wrote in early April, the 2.5-liter engine will remain in production for markets with less restrictive emissions rules, while European production is scheduled to end by mid-2027.

Now Audi Sport is apparently considering whether the five-cylinder deserves an even longer lease on life. And honestly, it would be a shame to let it go. The problem, as with almost everything in life, is money. Euro 7 compliance isn't technically impossible. Audi has already acknowledged as much. But updating an engine used in only a couple of relatively low-volume models requires spending a lot of money for a comparatively small return.

The head of the Audi Sport department, Rolf Mihl, confirmed that the company is still analyzing the future of the 2.5-liter turbo engine, which signals that this unit could survive in the next generation of the model. This is a significant turn from previous announcements that investing in adapting the engine to stricter environmental standards is not worth it.

"We are fully aware of the historical significance of this engine concept," Mihl told Autocar. He confirmed that "the analysis is still ongoing" and added that he is personally connected to the engine, having worked on all three generations of the RS3. For him, the five-cylinder is an "extremely characteristic" engine "deeply rooted in history".

This tone is significantly more optimistic than the messages coming from Audi less than a year ago. In September 2025, CEO Gernot Delner effectively announced the end of the 2.5 TFSI. He explained that the engine could technically be adapted to the Euro 7 standard, but Audi was not ready to invest the money because the RS3 was not selling enough units to justify the cost.

At that point, the decision seemed final. The TT RS and RS Q3 models have already been withdrawn from production, leaving the RS3 as Audi’s only five-cylinder model. The engine was expected to disappear from the European market in November this year, when the new phase of the Euro 7 standard comes into force. The situation changed at the beginning of the year, when Audi confirmed that the RS3 would continue to be sold outside Europe. Production of the 2.5-liter engine for markets with more lenient environmental regulations will continue, while the end for Europe was scheduled for mid-2027.

Audi Sport is now looking for a way to give the five-cylinder a new lease of life. The main problem is finances. Adapting the engine to Euro 7 standards is technically feasible, as Audi itself has previously admitted, but upgrading an engine that is installed in a small number of models requires large investments with questionable returns.

Hybridization is one option, but it brings with it a higher price and additional vehicle weight. Therefore, increasing production volumes could be key. For some time now, there has been unofficial talk of Volkswagen's desire to install this engine in the Golf R, which Audi allegedly blocked in 2020. Although Ingolstadt did not want to share its recognizable engine at the time, it eventually ended up in the Cupra Formentor.

Of course, all this does not mean that the RS3 will definitely keep five cylinders. Mihl emphasized that negotiations are ongoing and that a final decision has not yet been made. The company could still conclude that the investment is not worth it, especially in the European market. Despite this, the news is significantly more positive than last year. There are still rumors that the five-cylinder could finally arrive in the Golf R next year, which would coincide with the 25th anniversary of the R brand in 2027.

If Audi wants to justify further development of the engine, installing it in more models within the group would help spread the costs. It is known that the sporty targa model Concept C is not a candidate because it will be available exclusively as an electric vehicle.

With the Volkswagen Group planning to reduce costs and capacity, the 2.5 TFSI could be considered too specific a product for such a small series. However, there is still hope for the survival of the legendary engine, provided that the engineers and the finance department in Ingolstadt find common ground.

Autonews