Audi Isn’t Ready to Give Up on Its Legendary Five-Cylinder Engine

[Source: Autocar]

Audi’s legendary five-cylinder engine may not be heading into retirement after all. Despite tightening emissions regulations and questions surrounding the business case for keeping the low-volume engine alive. Audi Sport boss Rolf Michl told Autocar recently that it is still evaluating ways to give the five-cylinder another generation. For Audi enthusiasts, that’s encouraging news.

The five-cylinder celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, having first appeared in the Audi 100 in 1976. Since then, five-cylinder engines have powered some of the most important performance cars in Audi history, including the legendary Quattro and RS2. Today, the turbocharged 2.5-liter EA855 continues that lineage in the RS 3, while Audi also supplies the engine to Cupra for the Formentor VZ5. Its future, however, has been anything but certain.

Upcoming EU7 emissions regulations would require significant changes to the five-cylinder’s filters, sensors, fuel-injection system and catalytic converters. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner previously questioned whether the company could justify the necessary investment given the relatively small number of cars using the engine. Michl now suggests the company hasn’t given up.

“We’re well aware about the historical meaning of the five-cylinder,” Michl told Autocar. “Evaluations are still running, and people who know me know that I also have a personal relationship to the five-cylinder engine.”

“It’s so characteristic and also deeply rooted in history—so let’s see.”

The RS 3 Could Help Save It

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.

After 50 years, Audi’s five-cylinder may still have another chapter left to write.