2019 Audi RS7 to be available with plug-in hybrid option

The next-generation Audi RS7 will be available with the choice of two drivetrains, with one featuring electric assistance.

Marc Lichte, Audi’s chief designer, told Evo the base version of the new RS7 will be powered by a version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 currently powering the latest Porsche Panamera and Bentley Continental GT.

According to the design boss, this motor will have around 485kW of power and 815Nm of torque. It will deliver power to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. A sub-four second 0-100km/h time is on the cards, as is a top speed around 305km/h.

For comparison’s sake, today’s RS7 Performance model has 445kW of power and 700Nm of torque (or 750Nm on overboost), and is capable of brushing aside the 0-100km/h metric in 3.7 seconds.

Above: The next-generation Audi S7.

One step up from this, Lichte says, will be a plug-in hybrid version of the RS7 with over 520kW of power.

Parts of the RS7 hybrid’s drivetrain will be shared with the 500kW/850Nm Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, which uses a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 paired with an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery pack and an all-wheel drive setup.

Australia

According to the magazine, the new RS7 will go on sale in Europe from late 2018. If true, Australian sales aren’t likely to start until 2019.

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