With a trajectory that began in the rallies of the 1980s, the configuration survives in the RS3 before the brand's definitive transition to electrification
Audi has confirmed the schedule to end production of one of its most iconic components: the five-cylinder engine. The German manufacturer plans to discontinue the engine by the end of 2026, ending a five-decade cycle that helped define the brand’s high-performance identity and engineering.
Currently, the configuration survives only in the Audi RS3, which has become the last guardian of this legacy. In the Performance Edition version, the set delivers 407 hp and 51,0 kgfm, allowing the model to be among the fastest compacts in the world. Over the years, the engine has also given life to vehicles such as the TT RS and RS Q3, as well as being supplied to niche manufacturers such as Donkervoort.
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The decision was anticipated by the sector in view of the strict emission targets and the implementation of the Euro 7 standard in Europe. Although the engine has won the “International Engine of the Year” award for nine consecutive years, its adaptation to the new environmental limits would require investments that Audi prefers to direct towards the full electrification of its lineup by the beginning of the next decade.
From a technical point of view, the five-cylinder engine is celebrated for its unique firing order (1-2-4-5-3), which generates a characteristic rumble and a mass balance superior to traditional four-cylinder engines. The set achieved iconic status in the 1980s, when it equipped the Audi Quattro and dominated the rally scene in the extinct Group B.
With the end of production in 2026, Audi closes a chapter of mechanical innovation to focus on a new era of instant torque and zero emissions, consolidating the transition of its racing DNA to the sustainable luxury market.
