It is not farfetched. The new RS3 is using the 2.5 TFSI motor and we should see this engine under the hood of the RS3 sedan in the USA. Not to mention Audi has plenty of headroom for making power with the motor if they choose to. This engine could be with us for quite a while still.

As far as an engine dominating its category, the BMW S54 managed six straight wins as did the BMW N54. Volkswagen's 1.4 liter TSI twincharged motor is the all time class leader with nine straight wins. The Audi 2.5 TFSI has a ways to go to match that streak but it's well on its way and there does not appear to be an end to its dominance in sight.





At last year’s International Engine of the Year Awards, Audi’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine, appearing in the RS Q3, fought off a spirited challenge from Mazda to clinch its fifth-consecutive category victory, eventually taking first place by just 17 points.

In 2015, however, Audi’s five-pot triumphed by a significant margin, due in no small part to a refreshed development program ahead of the engine’s redeployment in the new-gen RS 3 Sportback.

Hand-built by a small team of specialists at Audi’s plant in Gyor, Hungary, the 2.5-litre’s application in the premium compact RS 3 Sportback produces 367ps and 465Nm of torque. The race from standing to 100km/h (62mph) takes just 4.3 seconds, while peak torque from 1,625rpm to 5,550rpm enables a 80-120km/h (49-75mph) fifth-gear dash of 5.8 seconds.

Tipping the scales at 180kg, the five-cylinder’s crankcase is made of strong, lightweight vermicular graphite cast iron. The turbocharger develops up to 1.3 bar of pressure and, in combination with direct injection, enables a compression ratio of 10:1.

“The spiritual successor to the mighty Quattro rally cars is every bit as exhilarating to drive,” said Motor Trend’s Frank Marcus. Prominent freelancer Carl Cunanan was equally as complimentary. “Audi reliability and a high level of tuning make this motor a sheer joy to play with, and it quite frankly plays with the bigger boys pretty well too.”

Judges were also impressed by the 2.5-litre’s soundtrack, backed by the classic Audi 1 - 2 - 4 - 5 - 3 ignition sequence. “There is nothing like the jazzy, staccato growl and linear output of Audi’s turbocharged in-line five,” enthused MSN Auto’s Marc LaChapelle, echoing the comments of many of his peers on this year’s panel.

“No sound imposer or audio system trickery can replicate the evocative soundtrack of the in-line five at full chat,” agreed Car South Africa’s Nicol Louw.