Audi has recently reaffirmed its long-term commitment to combustion engines, extending beyond the previously announced 2032 cutoff date. However, not all ICEs will make it that far. We’ve already said goodbye to the A8 flagship’s W12 and the R8 supercar’s V-10, and now another signature engine is heading for retirement. The inline-five is already confined to a single model, the RS3, following the demise of the TT RS and RS Q3. Before Audi sunsets the iconic 2.5-liter TFSI, it’s giving the RS3 the “GT” treatment. New footage shot at the Nürburgring by CarSpyMedia shows a prototype of the hot hatch struggling to hide its aerodynamic body kit. Front canards suggest we’re looking at a track-focused version, but make no mistake: this will remain road legal. A more pronounced front spoiler lip is clearly visible, as are extra air intakes below the license plate. At the 0:15 mark, you can see the glowing front brakes as the test driver pushes the RS3 to its limits. The prototype appears to ride lower on a stiffer suspension setup, while the roll cage inside certainly won’t make it to production. Other plausible “GT” upgrades include beefier brakes, sharper steering, new wheels and tires, and a carbon fiber diet. The biggest mystery is whether Audi is making any changes under the hood. In its current form, the RS3’s five-cylinder heart produces 394 horsepower and 369 pound-feet (500 Newton-meters) of torque. A couple of years ago, former Audi Sport CEO Sebastian Grams hinted that more power was possible: “We will increase the five-cylinder for the next step. We will improve that. There's still a way to go.” Either way, the engine’s days are numbered. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner recently confirmed: “The five-cylinder will probably end with Euro 7.” While engineers could adapt the powertrain to meet stricter emissions standards, it won’t happen. Ingolstadt has crunched the numbers, and the projected sales wouldn’t justify the investment needed to make the inline-five compliant. Euro 7 takes full effect in November 2027. Still, the legendary engine isn’t gone just yet. Although the prototype seen here is the five-door Sportback, we’re hoping the RS3 Sedan will also receive the GT treatment. It should, given that the hot hatch remains forbidden fruit in the United States. Meanwhile, Audi has allowed Cupra to use the engine for the returning Formentor VZ5, another five-cylinder model without a U.S. visa. If the rumors are true, one more VW Group model might also get the “EA855.” Reports suggest that an ultimate Golf R could finally adopt the bigger powertrain, but we’ll believe it when we see it. In the meantime, Audi is clearly cooking up a spicier RS3, and with Euro 7 closing in, we likely won’t have to wait long for its debut. Audi has already confirmed it will launch new RS models next year, and there’s a strong chance this inline-five swan song will be among them. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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