2026 Audi RS6: V8 to live on alongside new EV

The 2026 Audi RS6 won't ditch its V8 engine but it will gain a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system and be sold alongside the electric RS6 e-tron, marking the first time the Audi Sport division has offered both electric and combustion-powered RS6s.
According to Autocar, the next RS6 is expected in European showrooms in 2026 with Australia following shortly after, and Audi has been testing a V8 PHEV powertrain – much like that employed by the rival BMW M5.
The move comes after a previous decision to make the next RS6 full-electric only was reversed after slower than anticipated sales for electric vehicles (EVs) saw the company ditch plans to sell only EVs by 2033.
The strategic rethink also saw Audi confirm it would develop a new line of internal combustion engines to play a role in expanding its lineup of hybrid vehicles.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Instead of ditching the electric RS6 e-tron in favour of a hybrid version, however, Audi will offer customers both.
The 2026 RS6 e-tron, like the A6 e-tron it's derived from, will sit on the Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Electric (PPE) underpinnings, with the 2026 RS6 hybrid using the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture like the new-generation Audi A6 it's based on.
The ability to produce both is helped by other brands within the Volkswagen Group, including Porsche, continuing to offer internal-combustion-engine hybrids alongside EVs, splitting development costs across more models.
While the RS6 is a rival to the BMW i5 M60 and BMW M5 PHEV, given its similar size and price, the move more closely resembles the decision by BMW's M division to introduce both EV and hybrid models of the next BMW M3 on different platforms.
Further hedging its bets, Audi will offer the RS6 in sedan and wagon body styles – reintroducing the sedan for the first time since 2010 – according to Autocar.
The next RS6 is set to be the most powerful RS6 yet with the hybrid version expected to use a further developed version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 – used by Porsche and Bentley – which makes 453kW/850Nm in the current RS6.
Teamed with plug-in hybrid tech including an electric motor integrated into the transmission and a lithium-ion battery, power will jump to as much as 575kW/100Nm – the output the powertrain makes in the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.
This endows the Panamera with a 2.9-second 0-100km/h time and 325km/h top speed.
Those sorts of figures, if achieved in the RS6, would outmuscle the latest G90 BMW M5's performance, which sees 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds and a 305km/h top speed from its 727kW V8 PHEV.
The RS6 e-tron is expected to build on the current Audi S6 e-tron – due in Australia this year with a 405kW/856Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain – by some margin and will be offered with the same 94.8kWh battery as the standard A6 e-tron.
Audi's current high-performance EV is the RS e-tron GT performance, which produces 680kW and does the 0-100km/h dash in 2.5 seconds. A source told Autocar, however, that the RS6 e-tron is unlikely to be as powerful though there will be a "solid increase" over the S6 e-tron.
Both petrol-hybrid and EV RS6s will look the part, with pumped-up body work, larger front air intakes as well as large alloy wheels housing high-performance brakes.
More details are expected ahead of the 2026 Audi RS6's official unveiling, expected sometime later this year.
MORE: Everything Audi
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The 2026 Audi RS6 won't ditch its V8 engine but it will gain a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system and be sold alongside the electric RS6 e-tron, marking the first time the Audi Sport division has offered both electric and combustion-powered RS6s.
According to Autocar, the next RS6 is expected in European showrooms in 2026 with Australia following shortly after, and Audi has been testing a V8 PHEV powertrain – much like that employed by the rival BMW M5.
The move comes after a previous decision to make the next RS6 full-electric only was reversed after slower than anticipated sales for electric vehicles (EVs) saw the company ditch plans to sell only EVs by 2033.
The strategic rethink also saw Audi confirm it would develop a new line of internal combustion engines to play a role in expanding its lineup of hybrid vehicles.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Instead of ditching the electric RS6 e-tron in favour of a hybrid version, however, Audi will offer customers both.
The 2026 RS6 e-tron, like the A6 e-tron it's derived from, will sit on the Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Electric (PPE) underpinnings, with the 2026 RS6 hybrid using the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture like the new-generation Audi A6 it's based on.
The ability to produce both is helped by other brands within the Volkswagen Group, including Porsche, continuing to offer internal-combustion-engine hybrids alongside EVs, splitting development costs across more models.
While the RS6 is a rival to the BMW i5 M60 and BMW M5 PHEV, given its similar size and price, the move more closely resembles the decision by BMW's M division to introduce both EV and hybrid models of the next BMW M3 on different platforms.
Further hedging its bets, Audi will offer the RS6 in sedan and wagon body styles – reintroducing the sedan for the first time since 2010 – according to Autocar.
The next RS6 is set to be the most powerful RS6 yet with the hybrid version expected to use a further developed version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 – used by Porsche and Bentley – which makes 453kW/850Nm in the current RS6.
Teamed with plug-in hybrid tech including an electric motor integrated into the transmission and a lithium-ion battery, power will jump to as much as 575kW/100Nm – the output the powertrain makes in the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.
This endows the Panamera with a 2.9-second 0-100km/h time and 325km/h top speed.
Those sorts of figures, if achieved in the RS6, would outmuscle the latest G90 BMW M5's performance, which sees 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds and a 305km/h top speed from its 727kW V8 PHEV.
The RS6 e-tron is expected to build on the current Audi S6 e-tron – due in Australia this year with a 405kW/856Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain – by some margin and will be offered with the same 94.8kWh battery as the standard A6 e-tron.
Audi's current high-performance EV is the RS e-tron GT performance, which produces 680kW and does the 0-100km/h dash in 2.5 seconds. A source told Autocar, however, that the RS6 e-tron is unlikely to be as powerful though there will be a "solid increase" over the S6 e-tron.
Both petrol-hybrid and EV RS6s will look the part, with pumped-up body work, larger front air intakes as well as large alloy wheels housing high-performance brakes.
More details are expected ahead of the 2026 Audi RS6's official unveiling, expected sometime later this year.
MORE: Everything Audi
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The 2026 Audi RS6 won't ditch its V8 engine but it will gain a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system and be sold alongside the electric RS6 e-tron, marking the first time the Audi Sport division has offered both electric and combustion-powered RS6s.
According to Autocar, the next RS6 is expected in European showrooms in 2026 with Australia following shortly after, and Audi has been testing a V8 PHEV powertrain – much like that employed by the rival BMW M5.
The move comes after a previous decision to make the next RS6 full-electric only was reversed after slower than anticipated sales for electric vehicles (EVs) saw the company ditch plans to sell only EVs by 2033.
The strategic rethink also saw Audi confirm it would develop a new line of internal combustion engines to play a role in expanding its lineup of hybrid vehicles.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Instead of ditching the electric RS6 e-tron in favour of a hybrid version, however, Audi will offer customers both.
The 2026 RS6 e-tron, like the A6 e-tron it's derived from, will sit on the Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Electric (PPE) underpinnings, with the 2026 RS6 hybrid using the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture like the new-generation Audi A6 it's based on.
The ability to produce both is helped by other brands within the Volkswagen Group, including Porsche, continuing to offer internal-combustion-engine hybrids alongside EVs, splitting development costs across more models.
While the RS6 is a rival to the BMW i5 M60 and BMW M5 PHEV, given its similar size and price, the move more closely resembles the decision by BMW's M division to introduce both EV and hybrid models of the next BMW M3 on different platforms.
Further hedging its bets, Audi will offer the RS6 in sedan and wagon body styles – reintroducing the sedan for the first time since 2010 – according to Autocar.
The next RS6 is set to be the most powerful RS6 yet with the hybrid version expected to use a further developed version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 – used by Porsche and Bentley – which makes 453kW/850Nm in the current RS6.
Teamed with plug-in hybrid tech including an electric motor integrated into the transmission and a lithium-ion battery, power will jump to as much as 575kW/100Nm – the output the powertrain makes in the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.
This endows the Panamera with a 2.9-second 0-100km/h time and 325km/h top speed.
Those sorts of figures, if achieved in the RS6, would outmuscle the latest G90 BMW M5's performance, which sees 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds and a 305km/h top speed from its 727kW V8 PHEV.
The RS6 e-tron is expected to build on the current Audi S6 e-tron – due in Australia this year with a 405kW/856Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain – by some margin and will be offered with the same 94.8kWh battery as the standard A6 e-tron.
Audi's current high-performance EV is the RS e-tron GT performance, which produces 680kW and does the 0-100km/h dash in 2.5 seconds. A source told Autocar, however, that the RS6 e-tron is unlikely to be as powerful though there will be a "solid increase" over the S6 e-tron.
Both petrol-hybrid and EV RS6s will look the part, with pumped-up body work, larger front air intakes as well as large alloy wheels housing high-performance brakes.
More details are expected ahead of the 2026 Audi RS6's official unveiling, expected sometime later this year.
MORE: Everything Audi
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The 2026 Audi RS6 won't ditch its V8 engine but it will gain a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system and be sold alongside the electric RS6 e-tron, marking the first time the Audi Sport division has offered both electric and combustion-powered RS6s.
According to Autocar, the next RS6 is expected in European showrooms in 2026 with Australia following shortly after, and Audi has been testing a V8 PHEV powertrain – much like that employed by the rival BMW M5.
The move comes after a previous decision to make the next RS6 full-electric only was reversed after slower than anticipated sales for electric vehicles (EVs) saw the company ditch plans to sell only EVs by 2033.
The strategic rethink also saw Audi confirm it would develop a new line of internal combustion engines to play a role in expanding its lineup of hybrid vehicles.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Instead of ditching the electric RS6 e-tron in favour of a hybrid version, however, Audi will offer customers both.
The 2026 RS6 e-tron, like the A6 e-tron it's derived from, will sit on the Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Electric (PPE) underpinnings, with the 2026 RS6 hybrid using the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture like the new-generation Audi A6 it's based on.
The ability to produce both is helped by other brands within the Volkswagen Group, including Porsche, continuing to offer internal-combustion-engine hybrids alongside EVs, splitting development costs across more models.
While the RS6 is a rival to the BMW i5 M60 and BMW M5 PHEV, given its similar size and price, the move more closely resembles the decision by BMW's M division to introduce both EV and hybrid models of the next BMW M3 on different platforms.
Further hedging its bets, Audi will offer the RS6 in sedan and wagon body styles – reintroducing the sedan for the first time since 2010 – according to Autocar.
The next RS6 is set to be the most powerful RS6 yet with the hybrid version expected to use a further developed version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 – used by Porsche and Bentley – which makes 453kW/850Nm in the current RS6.
Teamed with plug-in hybrid tech including an electric motor integrated into the transmission and a lithium-ion battery, power will jump to as much as 575kW/100Nm – the output the powertrain makes in the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.
This endows the Panamera with a 2.9-second 0-100km/h time and 325km/h top speed.
Those sorts of figures, if achieved in the RS6, would outmuscle the latest G90 BMW M5's performance, which sees 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds and a 305km/h top speed from its 727kW V8 PHEV.
The RS6 e-tron is expected to build on the current Audi S6 e-tron – due in Australia this year with a 405kW/856Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain – by some margin and will be offered with the same 94.8kWh battery as the standard A6 e-tron.
Audi's current high-performance EV is the RS e-tron GT performance, which produces 680kW and does the 0-100km/h dash in 2.5 seconds. A source told Autocar, however, that the RS6 e-tron is unlikely to be as powerful though there will be a "solid increase" over the S6 e-tron.
Both petrol-hybrid and EV RS6s will look the part, with pumped-up body work, larger front air intakes as well as large alloy wheels housing high-performance brakes.
More details are expected ahead of the 2026 Audi RS6's official unveiling, expected sometime later this year.
MORE: Everything Audi
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au

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2025 Skoda Superb: Large liftback, wagon slide under $70,000

The Advertiser

8 hours ago

The Advertiser

2025 Skoda Superb: Large liftback, wagon slide under $70,000

Skoda's fourth-generation Superb has arrived in Australia, bringing revised styling, a different engine, and slightly increased prices over its predecessor. Available in a sole Sportline variant in either sedan (liftback) or wagon body styles, the Superb now starts at $67,990 before on-road costs for the former – up from the previous model's list price of $65,590 before on-roads. The wagon, meanwhile, is priced at $69,690 before on-roads, while the outgoing wagon was listed for $71,990 drive-away. Per industry classification, the Superb is Australia's only remaining mass-market large car. However, even if you compare it to what are classified as medium passenger cars, there aren't many of those to choose from anymore – petrol and hybrid alternatives include the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Changes with the new generation of Superb include a revised tune for its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which now makes 195kW of power – down from 206kW – and 400Nm of torque, up from 350Nm for the previous generation. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic has been swapped out for a seven-speed alternative, resulting in a 0-100km/h sprint time that's 0.3 seconds faster – as little as 5.6 seconds for the liftback. Fuel consumption is also down 0.3L/100km, now quoted at 7.7L/100km for the liftback. Only all-wheel drive is offered in the Superb locally. Outside, the Superb now sports 19-inch 'Torcular' alloy wheels and "second-generation" matrix LED headlights. Sports seats upholstered in perforated leather are standard inside, while there's a new 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 10-inch digital instrument cluster. There's also a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel, and the gear selector has been moved to the steering column. Standard features include power-adjustable front seats, which both have heating, ventilation and massage functions as standard. Additionally, Skoda's smart dials, which debuted in Australia with the new Kodiaq SUV, have now made their way to the Superb. These dials are configurable, and are capable of managing several functions including climate, drive modes, and infotainment. Several safety items have been added too, including traffic sign recognition, a surround-view camera and intelligent park assist, while the autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control systems have been updated. The Volkswagen Group's Dynamic Chassis Control Plus (DCC) is now also standard, with up to 15 levels of suspension damping available. All up, Skoda Australia says the additions equate to more than $10,900 in extra equipment, despite the relatively friendly price increase of $2400. 2025 Skoda Superb pricing: MORE: Everything Skoda Superb Content originally sourced from: Skoda's fourth-generation Superb has arrived in Australia, bringing revised styling, a different engine, and slightly increased prices over its predecessor. Available in a sole Sportline variant in either sedan (liftback) or wagon body styles, the Superb now starts at $67,990 before on-road costs for the former – up from the previous model's list price of $65,590 before on-roads. The wagon, meanwhile, is priced at $69,690 before on-roads, while the outgoing wagon was listed for $71,990 drive-away. Per industry classification, the Superb is Australia's only remaining mass-market large car. However, even if you compare it to what are classified as medium passenger cars, there aren't many of those to choose from anymore – petrol and hybrid alternatives include the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Changes with the new generation of Superb include a revised tune for its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which now makes 195kW of power – down from 206kW – and 400Nm of torque, up from 350Nm for the previous generation. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic has been swapped out for a seven-speed alternative, resulting in a 0-100km/h sprint time that's 0.3 seconds faster – as little as 5.6 seconds for the liftback. Fuel consumption is also down 0.3L/100km, now quoted at 7.7L/100km for the liftback. Only all-wheel drive is offered in the Superb locally. Outside, the Superb now sports 19-inch 'Torcular' alloy wheels and "second-generation" matrix LED headlights. Sports seats upholstered in perforated leather are standard inside, while there's a new 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 10-inch digital instrument cluster. There's also a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel, and the gear selector has been moved to the steering column. Standard features include power-adjustable front seats, which both have heating, ventilation and massage functions as standard. Additionally, Skoda's smart dials, which debuted in Australia with the new Kodiaq SUV, have now made their way to the Superb. These dials are configurable, and are capable of managing several functions including climate, drive modes, and infotainment. Several safety items have been added too, including traffic sign recognition, a surround-view camera and intelligent park assist, while the autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control systems have been updated. The Volkswagen Group's Dynamic Chassis Control Plus (DCC) is now also standard, with up to 15 levels of suspension damping available. All up, Skoda Australia says the additions equate to more than $10,900 in extra equipment, despite the relatively friendly price increase of $2400. 2025 Skoda Superb pricing: MORE: Everything Skoda Superb Content originally sourced from: Skoda's fourth-generation Superb has arrived in Australia, bringing revised styling, a different engine, and slightly increased prices over its predecessor. Available in a sole Sportline variant in either sedan (liftback) or wagon body styles, the Superb now starts at $67,990 before on-road costs for the former – up from the previous model's list price of $65,590 before on-roads. The wagon, meanwhile, is priced at $69,690 before on-roads, while the outgoing wagon was listed for $71,990 drive-away. Per industry classification, the Superb is Australia's only remaining mass-market large car. However, even if you compare it to what are classified as medium passenger cars, there aren't many of those to choose from anymore – petrol and hybrid alternatives include the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Changes with the new generation of Superb include a revised tune for its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which now makes 195kW of power – down from 206kW – and 400Nm of torque, up from 350Nm for the previous generation. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic has been swapped out for a seven-speed alternative, resulting in a 0-100km/h sprint time that's 0.3 seconds faster – as little as 5.6 seconds for the liftback. Fuel consumption is also down 0.3L/100km, now quoted at 7.7L/100km for the liftback. Only all-wheel drive is offered in the Superb locally. Outside, the Superb now sports 19-inch 'Torcular' alloy wheels and "second-generation" matrix LED headlights. Sports seats upholstered in perforated leather are standard inside, while there's a new 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 10-inch digital instrument cluster. There's also a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel, and the gear selector has been moved to the steering column. Standard features include power-adjustable front seats, which both have heating, ventilation and massage functions as standard. Additionally, Skoda's smart dials, which debuted in Australia with the new Kodiaq SUV, have now made their way to the Superb. These dials are configurable, and are capable of managing several functions including climate, drive modes, and infotainment. Several safety items have been added too, including traffic sign recognition, a surround-view camera and intelligent park assist, while the autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control systems have been updated. The Volkswagen Group's Dynamic Chassis Control Plus (DCC) is now also standard, with up to 15 levels of suspension damping available. All up, Skoda Australia says the additions equate to more than $10,900 in extra equipment, despite the relatively friendly price increase of $2400. 2025 Skoda Superb pricing: MORE: Everything Skoda Superb Content originally sourced from: Skoda's fourth-generation Superb has arrived in Australia, bringing revised styling, a different engine, and slightly increased prices over its predecessor. Available in a sole Sportline variant in either sedan (liftback) or wagon body styles, the Superb now starts at $67,990 before on-road costs for the former – up from the previous model's list price of $65,590 before on-roads. The wagon, meanwhile, is priced at $69,690 before on-roads, while the outgoing wagon was listed for $71,990 drive-away. Per industry classification, the Superb is Australia's only remaining mass-market large car. However, even if you compare it to what are classified as medium passenger cars, there aren't many of those to choose from anymore – petrol and hybrid alternatives include the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Changes with the new generation of Superb include a revised tune for its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which now makes 195kW of power – down from 206kW – and 400Nm of torque, up from 350Nm for the previous generation. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic has been swapped out for a seven-speed alternative, resulting in a 0-100km/h sprint time that's 0.3 seconds faster – as little as 5.6 seconds for the liftback. Fuel consumption is also down 0.3L/100km, now quoted at 7.7L/100km for the liftback. Only all-wheel drive is offered in the Superb locally. Outside, the Superb now sports 19-inch 'Torcular' alloy wheels and "second-generation" matrix LED headlights. Sports seats upholstered in perforated leather are standard inside, while there's a new 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 10-inch digital instrument cluster. There's also a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel, and the gear selector has been moved to the steering column. Standard features include power-adjustable front seats, which both have heating, ventilation and massage functions as standard. Additionally, Skoda's smart dials, which debuted in Australia with the new Kodiaq SUV, have now made their way to the Superb. These dials are configurable, and are capable of managing several functions including climate, drive modes, and infotainment. Several safety items have been added too, including traffic sign recognition, a surround-view camera and intelligent park assist, while the autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control systems have been updated. The Volkswagen Group's Dynamic Chassis Control Plus (DCC) is now also standard, with up to 15 levels of suspension damping available. All up, Skoda Australia says the additions equate to more than $10,900 in extra equipment, despite the relatively friendly price increase of $2400. 2025 Skoda Superb pricing: MORE: Everything Skoda Superb Content originally sourced from: