Audi Sport could offer rear-wheel drive in the future, in addition to front-wheel drive and quattro

The cars of Audi Sport – the performance division of the German manufacturer – have always been famous for their Quattro all-wheel drive system, but what if Audi offered rear-wheel drive cars in its RS models? Apparently, this is an option that cannot be ruled out.

During the Goodwood Festival of Speed held this weekend, Stephan Winkelmann, head of Audi Quattro, spoke about the name change its performance division has undergone – formerly called Quattro GmbH and now known as Audi Sport – and about the possibility of producing rear-wheel drive cars in the future.

These were the German executive’s words: “When we thought about the name, we realised that Quattro could be a little misleading. Quattro is the four-wheel drive system and it is one of the things that have made Audi grow, but in our opinion it is not the right name for the company. I imagine we could also produce rear-wheel drive cars, or two-wheel drive – front-wheel drive – in the future,” Winkelmann said.

Naturally, the Bavarian executive did not offer many details about the real possibilities that the four-ring brand might end up developing a rear-wheel drive system for its RS models. A priori, it seems quite complicated for Audi to produce vehicles of these characteristics, considering the investment it would have to make in new platforms that would allow their development.

We must not forget that Winkelmann was already president of Lamborghini, a brand specialising in the production of all-wheel and rear-wheel drive cars. The temptation to offer a rear-wheel drive system that rivals those of its main competitors – Mercedes AMG and BMW M – is the best trump card for all those who wish to see a Audi RS with rear-wheel drive.

In any case, what is clear is that the Quattro option will remain available on Audi’s sports cars.