---
title: "Audi May Roll Out RS-Badged Electric Cars And High-Performance Hybrids Soon: Report"
description: "Rumor has it that a plug-in hybrid RS4 is also in the works, along with a potentially electric R8."
date: "2020-01-08"
modified: "2020-01-08"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/31767/audi-sport-developing-potent-e-tron-gt-sportback-rs-models-for-2021-report"
categories:
  - "Audi News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Audi"
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "hybrid"
---

# Audi May Roll Out RS-Badged Electric Cars And High-Performance Hybrids Soon: Report

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/01/A1814539_medium-e1578488729776.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Audi's performance arm is going all-in on electrification, heading up its lineup with a battery-powered, RS-badged [E-Tron GT](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/28278/2020-audi-e-tron-gt-production-ready-exterior-design-leaked-via-patent-filing-report>) coming next year if an [*Autocar*](<https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/audi-sport-go-electric-rs-branded-e-tron-gt>) report is to be believed.

Audi Sport managing director Julius Seebach told the publication at November's L.A. Auto Show that the company's Tesla Model S fighter would eventually come with three different powertrain options—most likely christened base, S, and RS. Notably, the E-Tron GT's Porsche Taycan platform-mate is also currently offered in three grades: [the 522-horsepower 4S](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/31428/2020-porsche-taycan-4s-review-electric-ice-drifting-at-the-top-of-the-world>), 670-hp Turbo, and 750-hp Turbo S. The jury's still out on whether the three levels of E-Tron GT will use the exact same powertrains with the exact same outputs but it's a pretty strong possibility.

![message-editor%2F1578493507641-a1915276\_medium.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1578493507641-a1915276_medium.jpg>)
*Audi E-Tron Sportback, *Audi AG**

In addition to the RS-badged electric sedan, the automaker will also reportedly come out with an RS version of the E-Tron Sportback crossover. [That's the slopey-roofed, "coupe" version of the normal E-Tron.](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/31128/2020-audi-e-tron-sportback-the-original-electric-crossovers-more-fashionable-cousin>) "It's very similar to what you see with [the RS Q8](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/31523/2020-audi-rs-q8-review-an-mma-heavyweight-in-a-hugo-boss-suit>)," Audi exterior design head Andreas Mindt said. "You have to start with the standard car and build it up."

Electric high-performance won't just be reserved for family-sized sedans and crossovers, however, as a limited-run E-Tron version of the [current-gen R8 supercar](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/24420/2019-audi-r8-the-mid-engined-supercars-mid-life-crisis>) is reportedly slated for late next year. Rumors claim it could possibly be followed-up in a few years' time by an all-new, third-generation R8 powered by, you guessed it, electricity only.

![message-editor%2F1578493707409-a1813681\_medium.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1578493707409-a1813681_medium.jpg>)
*Audi AG*

![message-editor%2F1578493714666-a1913255\_medium.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1578493714666-a1913255_medium.jpg>)
*Audi AG*

As for electrified Audi RS cars that will still use *some* sort of internal combustion, Seebach confirmed that Audi Sport engineers are currently working on plug-in hybrids as well. *Autocar* says it's "understood" that the first one to be launched will be the next-gen RS4, a car that would mirror and compete directly with [Mercedes-AMG's rumored four-cylinder C63 plug-in hybrid](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/30478/2021-mercedes-amg-c63-could-trade-turbo-v-8-for-hybrid-four-cylinder-report>).

Audi returned *The Drive's* request for comment, saying that any news of an RS4 hybrid and electric R8 is speculation. Additionally, a company spokesperson lumped the possibility of RS-branded E-Tron models into the same category.

*Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)