- Audi will finish manufacturing of the RS3 for Europe by mid-2027.
- The high-performance compact automotive will proceed outdoors the continent.
- The RS3 Sedan and RS3 Sportback are the final Audi fashions with the inline-five.
Mercedes just lately mentioned goodbye to the V12 engine in Europe, and now its rival Audi is making ready to bid farewell to an iconic powertrain as nicely. Ingolstadt will finish manufacturing of the inline-five for European markets by mid-2027. Nevertheless, very similar to the twelve-cylinder engine from Stuttgart, the five-cylinder mill will proceed outdoors the continent.
In an announcement to Motor1, A3 mannequin collection spokesperson Julia Winkler confirmed the RS3 received’t disappear fully. Though the luxurious model should name time on the two.5 TFSI in Europe resulting from upcoming Euro 7 emissions rules, Audi will preserve the high-performance compact automotive on sale in non-European markets past mid-next 12 months.
The RS3 could have one foot within the grave, however European consumers nonetheless have a good window to buy the automotive earlier than it disappears utterly. Though technically potential, Audi received’t replace the engine to adjust to stricter laws as a result of the return on funding wouldn’t justify the trouble. The RS3 hatchback and sedan are the final automobiles to make use of this engine after the RS Q3, RS Q3 Sportback, TT RS Coupe, and TT RS Roadster had been discontinued years in the past.
Photograph by: Audi
The corporate’s five-cylinder lineage dates again half a century to the 1976 Audi 100. Whereas it’s unhappy to see it go, that’s how the cookie crumbles below Europe’s more and more stringent rules. One other current casualty within the luxurious section that involves thoughts is BMW’s V8, because the twin-turbo 4.4-liter engine needed to be detuned within the M5 and XM to adjust to Euro 7.
The mainstream section isn’t resistant to tighter guidelines both. Mazda dropped the two.0-liter engine from the Miata a couple of years in the past, whereas Honda phased out the Civic Type R altogether “in accordance with European laws.” The scenario will solely worsen with Euro 7 looming and the EU’s mandate for fleet emissions to fall by 90 p.c by 2035 in comparison with 2021 ranges.
I bemoaned the gradual demise of enjoyable automobiles in an op-ed final 12 months, noting that different Euro rules have compelled some automakers to discontinue them. For instance, the Porsche Cayman and Boxster left the continent in mid-2024 after failing to adjust to new cybersecurity rules. Within the mainstream section, the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ suffered the identical destiny.
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Supply: Audi
Motor1’s Take: The inline-five might be sorely missed, however wanting on the glass half full, it’s not gone simply but. Even after it’s retired from the European market in mid-2027, Audi will proceed constructing the RS3 in Győr, Hungary, for North America and different areas with extra relaxed emissions rules.
We’re hopeful the RS3 will final till the very finish of the present A3 technology. However as soon as it’s gone, it’s gone for good.
