2020 Audi RS7 testing at the Nürburgring

Don’t let the ‘A7’ badge fool you, this is the 2020 Audi RS7 having its pedals tested at the Nürburgring.

As implied by the audio track, MOTOR’s European editor Georg Kacher expects the next RS7 to show up powered by Audi’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 or a more powerful evolution of it. He reports the same expectation for the next RS6, as well as the incoming RS Q8.

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Whether the engine will have a similar output to the current 445kW/750Nm RS7 Performance or something more powerful is uncertain, but Kacher tells us not to hold our breath for a plug-in hybrid version of the V8.

It would be counter-productive for Audi to release an updated version of the RS7 if it wasn’t as capable as its predecessor, so expect performance figures to best 3.7 seconds to 100km/h.

For reference, in the RS7 Performance, MOTOR managed to hit 100km/h in just 3.37 seconds and run the quarter in 11.29sec at 202.79km/h.

In terms of future development of the RS7’s drivetrain, Kacher tells us the V8 might not be the only thing powering high-performance ‘7’ models by the end of its next generation.

Audi and Porsche are jointly developing three versions of a new all-electric matrix dubbed PPE.

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Insiders expect this portfolio to include S and RS versions of E7 (four-door coupé, A7 Sportback-sized) and EQ5/6/7/8/9 (all of them crossovers).

Not surprisingly, the power boost that must come with every RS offering is fuelled (err, or not fuelled) by high-performance batteries and more potent E-motors.

If the spy video is anything to go by, we’re not going to be disappointed by the initial V8 offering.