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As of April 8, 2025, Audi's iconic five-cylinder engine may be far from dead. The German automaker has signaled that the 2.5-liter turbocharged EA855 unit—which powers the RS3 and Cupra Formentor VZ5—could see production continue beyond the previously announced mid-2027 end date.
The latest generation of the RS3 high-performance hatch and sedan was originally scheduled to end production in 2027. Audi had planned to send the five-cylinder engine to history alongside it. But new comments from Audi Sport boss Rolf Michl suggest a possible reprieve, as the company evaluates whether to invest the significant funds needed to meet upcoming Euro 7 emissions standards.
“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.”
Euro 7 regulations, which introduce stricter limits on brake dust and tire particulates, are set to take effect in Europe in November 2026. Any new model sold after that date must comply. For the EA855, a major overhaul would be required—including changes to the fuel injection and exhaust after-treatment systems—driving up costs. The five-cylinder currently lives in only two low-volume models: the RS3 and the Cupra Formentor VZ5. That makes the return on investment less certain.
Still, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner had previously expressed doubt about the engine’s future, saying at the RS3 Competition Limited launch in March 2026 (the event was held in Europe) that he wasn’t sure if the automaker could “refinance the investment in EU7 regulations.” His tone has since softened, with Michl’s remarks hinting that the company is now seriously weighing the path forward.
The EA855 may also get a second life in the 2027 Volkswagen Golf R, which is rumored to feature the five-cylinder engine to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Golf R32. That model went on sale globally in August 2002. If confirmed, it would be a rare cross-brand engine share within the Volkswagen Group.
Audi’s five-cylinder legacy dates back to 1976, when a naturally aspirated 2.1-liter version debuted in the Audi 100 sedan. The engine gained cult status in the turbocharged Ur-quattro four years later, establishing a motorsport heritage that continues today. In the US market, Audis with five-cylinder power have included the TT RS, RS3, and RSQ3.
The timing of Michl’s comments comes as Volkswagen Group undergoes a major restructuring. Known internally as “Future Picture 2030,” the plan aims to halve the group’s model lines from 150 to 75, while investing more heavily in each remaining vehicle to make them “technological leaders” in their segments. Audi models mooted for elimination include the Sportback versions of the Q5 SUV and Q6 e-tron electric SUV. Production of the Q8 e-tron SUV ended in February 2025 with the closure of the Brussels plant.
For US buyers, the potential survival of the five-cylinder engine is especially significant. The RS3
