Audi's Next RS6 May Drop V8 and Still Beat BMW's M5

Key Takeaways

• The next-generation Audi RS6 is widely expected to replace its current twin-turbo V8 with a twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain.
• Reports suggest system output could reach roughly 730 to 740 hp, potentially putting the RS6 ahead of the 717-hp BMW M5.
• The next RS6 is expected to be offered as both an Avant wagon and a fastback sedan.
• European debut and sales are expected around 2027, with the U.S. launch potentially following later.
• The new RS6 is expected to retain quattro all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
• Spy prototypes have already been testing, giving an early look at the car’s wider and more aggressive bodywork.
• Audi has not yet officially confirmed the final engine specifications, power output, pricing or launch schedule.

Why Is Audi Reportedly Switching the RS6 to a V6 Hybrid?

The next-generation Audi RS6 is shaping up to be one of the biggest changes in the model’s history. After years of relying on increasingly powerful twin-turbo V8 engines, Audi is reportedly preparing to move the RS6 to a smaller twin-turbo V6 combined with hybrid assistance.

The change reflects the broader shift toward electrification across Audi Sport and the Volkswagen Group. Audi’s current RS6 Avant performance uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 630 PS and 850 Nm of torque. The next-generation car is expected to take electrification much further. Audi’s official RS6 history details the current V8-powered generation and its mild-hybrid technology.

Recent reports point toward a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 related to the engine used in the new RS5, with additional electric motors providing a substantial boost in total system output.

How Much Power Could the New RS6 Make?

Current reports put the next RS6’s combined output somewhere around 730 to 740 hp. One recent estimate places the figure at approximately 730 hp, while other reports have suggested roughly 740 hp.

If the higher figure proves accurate, the RS6 could become more powerful than the current BMW M5. The M5’s plug-in hybrid powertrain combines a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with an electric motor for a total of 717 hp.

That would give Audi a straightforward answer to BMW’s latest high-performance sedan and wagon. However, peak horsepower is only one part of the equation. The additional weight of the hybrid system, battery and electric motors could have a significant effect on acceleration, braking and handling.

Will the RS6 Still Have a V8?

At this point, a V8-powered next-generation RS6 appears unlikely based on the latest reports and spy testing. Multiple reports have pointed toward a twin-turbo V6 hybrid rather than another version of Audi’s 4.0-liter V8.

That would mark the end of an important chapter for the RS6. The current C8-generation RS6 uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, while the previous C7 generation also relied on V8 power.

The change does not necessarily mean the new RS6 will be slower. Hybrid assistance can provide instant electric torque while allowing the combustion engine to concentrate on producing power at higher engine speeds.

How Will the New RS6 Compare With the BMW M5?

The BMW M5 is the obvious benchmark for the next RS6. Both cars combine large luxury-car dimensions with serious performance and hybrid assistance, and both are expected to be available in practical wagon forms.

The BMW uses a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with an electric motor and produces 717 hp. The rumored Audi setup could produce around 730 to 740 hp, giving the RS6 a small advantage in peak output.

The comparison will ultimately come down to more than horsepower. BMW’s larger V8 provides substantial torque, while Audi’s smaller V6 could benefit from a different weight distribution and a more extensive electric-assistance strategy.

Both manufacturers are therefore taking different approaches to the same problem: how to maintain supercar-level performance while meeting increasingly demanding efficiency and emissions requirements.

What Will the New RS6 Look Like?

Spy photographs indicate that the new RS6 will retain the aggressive proportions expected from an Audi Sport model while gaining a more angular appearance.

Prototype cars have been spotted with heavily camouflaged front and rear sections, wider fenders and large wheels. The RS6 is also expected to receive prominent aerodynamic detailing, including enlarged air intakes, vents around the front wheel arches and a substantial rear diffuser.

The RS6 Avant should remain instantly recognizable as a performance wagon, but the next-generation model is expected to have a more muscular stance than the standard A6-based models.

Will There Be an RS6 Sedan?

One of the most significant changes could be the return of a four-door fastback-style RS6 alongside the traditional Avant wagon.

Reports indicate that Audi is preparing both body styles for the new generation. The fastback sedan would give Audi a direct high-performance alternative to cars such as the BMW M5, while the Avant would continue the RS6’s long-running combination of supercar performance and everyday practicality.

The availability of both body styles would also expand the RS6’s appeal beyond buyers specifically looking for a performance wagon.

What Transmission and Drivetrain Will the RS6 Use?

The next RS6 is expected to continue using Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, maintaining one of the model’s defining characteristics.

An eight-speed automatic transmission is also expected. Audi has not indicated that the RS6 will return to a manual gearbox, and the combination of a hybrid powertrain and automatic transmission is consistent with the company’s current performance strategy.

Hybrid assistance could also allow Audi to use electric torque vectoring or additional electric drive hardware to improve traction and corner-exit performance.

How Much Will the New Audi RS6 Cost?

Pricing has not been officially announced, but reports have suggested a starting price around $130,000 in the United States.

The final figure could be considerably higher depending on equipment and the exact powertrain specification. Audi has not yet confirmed U.S. pricing, so the $130,000 figure should be treated as an estimate rather than an official MSRP.

The existing RS6 is already positioned well above conventional A6 models, and the added complexity of the new hybrid powertrain could push the next generation further upmarket.

When Will the New Audi RS6 Arrive?

The next-generation RS6 is expected to debut sometime in 2027, with reports pointing to a spring reveal. European sales are expected to follow later in the year.

U.S. customers may have to wait longer. Audi has not published an official American launch date, and the timing of certification and market-specific production could push U.S. deliveries beyond the European launch.

Because the vehicle is still undergoing development testing, the final timing could change.

What Happened to the RS6 Prototype at the Nürburgring?

A prototype of the next-generation RS6 was reportedly involved in a crash at the Nürburgring during testing. While the incident attracted attention because of the model’s importance, a prototype accident does not by itself indicate that the finished car has a fundamental handling problem.

High-performance development vehicles are routinely subjected to extreme testing conditions, particularly at the Nürburgring. Engineers use the circuit to evaluate braking, suspension, cooling, powertrain durability and high-speed handling under demanding conditions.

The more important question will be how the production RS6 performs once Audi has completed its development program.

Will the New RS6 Be Faster Than the Current Model?

It is too early to give the production car’s acceleration or top-speed figures. However, the reported increase in system power suggests Audi is targeting a significant performance improvement.

The current RS6 Avant performance produces 630 PS and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds according to Audi’s technical data. The new hybrid system could improve launch performance through the immediate torque supplied by the electric motors.

Additional electric assistance could also improve response at lower engine speeds, potentially offsetting the loss of two cylinders.

Why the New RS6 Could Be Heavier

The biggest potential drawback of the V6 hybrid strategy is weight. Batteries, electric motors, power electronics and additional cooling hardware all add mass.

The current RS6 is already a substantial performance wagon, and adding a larger hybrid system could push the next generation significantly higher.

That means Audi’s engineers will have to balance the additional weight against the benefits of electric torque. Suspension tuning, brake performance, steering calibration and torque distribution will become increasingly important as the RS6 evolves.

What We Know About the Next Audi RS6

Specification	Expected Details
Generation	Next-generation Audi RS6
Engine	Twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid
Displacement	Reportedly around 2.9 liters
Expected system output	Approximately 730-740 hp
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Drive system	Quattro all-wheel drive
Body styles	Avant wagon and fastback sedan
Expected debut	2027
Expected U.S. arrival	After European launch
Estimated U.S. price	Approximately $130,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What engine will the new Audi RS6 have?

The next-generation Audi RS6 is widely expected to use a twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid powertrain instead of the current model’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8.

How much horsepower will the new RS6 have?

Reports suggest the next RS6 could produce approximately 730 to 740 hp, although Audi has not officially confirmed the final output.

Will the new RS6 beat the BMW M5 in horsepower?

It could. The current BMW M5 produces 717 hp, while reports suggest the next RS6 could make roughly 730 to 740 hp.

Will the new Audi RS6 still have quattro all-wheel drive?

Yes, the next RS6 is expected to retain Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Will there be an Audi RS6 Avant?

Yes. The Avant wagon is expected to continue into the next generation, alongside a fastback-style sedan.

When will the next Audi RS6 debut?

The next-generation RS6 is expected to debut in 2027, with reports pointing toward a spring reveal. Audi has not yet announced an official debut date.

How much will the new Audi RS6 cost?

Reports suggest a U.S. starting price of around $130,000, but Audi has not announced official pricing.

Will the next RS6 be available in the United States?

The RS6 is expected to reach the United States, although U.S. deliveries could begin after the European launch.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Potentially more than 730 hp
• Instant electric torque from the hybrid system
• Quattro all-wheel drive
• Expected Avant wagon body style
• Expected fastback sedan alternative to the BMW M5
• Potentially quicker acceleration than the current RS6
• Advanced hybrid performance technology

Cons

• Likely heavier than the current RS6
• Loss of the traditional V8 would disappoint some enthusiasts
• Complex hybrid powertrain
• U.S. launch timing remains uncertain
• Pricing has not been confirmed
• Performance specifications remain unofficial

Official Sources

Audi MediaCenter – RS 6 history | Audi MediaCenter – RS 6 Avant