Future Audi RS Models Might Offer Rear-Wheel Drive Too

Audi's performance cars have always been famous for offering the Quattro all-wheel drive system, but that may very well change in the future.

Hinting at the move, Audi Quattro chief, Stephan Winkelmann talked to AutoExpress during the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place as we speak.

"When looking at the name, we decided Quattro could be misleading. Quattro is the four-wheel drive system, and is one of the things that made Audi great - but in our opinion, it was not the right name for the company", Winkelmann said, referring to the Quattro GmbH transforming into Audi Sport. "I can imagine we can also have cars with rear-wheel drive, or two-wheel drive, in the future."

Obviously, the Audi official, who came to Germany after running things over at Lamborghini, didn’t want to elaborate further, but ditching all-wheel drive in favor of rear-wheel drive on some models is not going to be easy, considering that the brand with the four rings will have to develop new platforms for its upcoming performance models to do so.

Of course, Quattro AWD will continue to be available, as Winkelmann said: "Quattro can be a company, but it can also be an option. We wanted this to be clarified."