Throughout the late 1970s and the ’80s, Audi’s enthusiast reputation was largely shaped by its fantastic five-cylinder engines. Powerful, torquey, and possessed of an unmistakable sound, they were a unique and defining feature for the brand. In the ’90s, they made way for a generation of rather dull V-6 units, but a new five-banger was launched with the last-generation TT RS and RS3. Based on the Mexico-built EA113 four-cylinder “Iron Gustav” engine, it proved to be a highly efficient and powerful unit with a character of its own.
As VW is phasing out the EA113 engine, there was concern among aficionados that the formidable straight-five might be on its way out as well. But we have learned from our sources that the engine will instead receive a major upgrade and move to an aluminum block. To be launched in the upcoming, third-gen TT RS (it hasn’t been unveiled yet; the less-potent TTS is pictured above) and the facelifted RS3 Quattro later this year, it is expected to crank out around 400 horsepower, comparing favorably to Mercedes-AMG’s 375-hp 2.0-liter M133 four-cylinder engine.
The new engine won’t be the only innovative feature of the next TT RS. We hear it’ll be launched with OLED taillights as seen on the ultra-limited-edition BMW M4 GTS. Audi also will take OLED technology into the interior of its vehicles, as you can look for the upcoming, all-electric R8 e-tron to feature mirrors with an OLED display inside.
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