Audi’s Future Performance Lineup Spied Testing in Spain’s Scorching Heat

European automakers have a favorite summer tradition: packing up their hottest prototypes and heading to Spain for brutal hot-weather testing. July in places like Granada means triple-digit temperatures, dry mountain air, and endless twisty roads, perfect conditions for pushing a car to its limits.

Audi recently took full advantage, and a YouTube channel called NCars caught the whole thing on video, giving us a rare look at several unreleased performance models running hard in the Spanish heat.

The footage reveals the first-ever Audi RSQ5, a plug-in hybrid version of the compact SUV that’s set to take on the BMW X3 M and Mercedes-AMG GLC. Yellow high-voltage stickers give away the PHEV setup, and the exaggerated wheel arch extensions scream RS. 9-liter V6 paired with an electric motor, likely pushing around 640 horsepower.

Right behind it was the RS5 Avant, the hot wagon version of what used to be called the A4, also packing the same V6 PHEV system. Both cars were seen cruising through mountain passes, their tires humming but engines silent, suggesting they were in electric mode.

Audi also brought out the massive SQ9, the performance version of its upcoming flagship SUV, which still hasn’t been fully revealed. 0-liter V8. Even more intriguing was a Q9 Horch prototype. Audi’s answer to the Mercedes-Maybach, testing a diesel V8. Then there was the oddball: a Volkswagen Golf R with fender flares and Braunschweig license plates, likely a mule for something new, maybe a future Audi TT replacement.

Seeing all these prototypes in one place signals how aggressively Audi is refreshing its lineup, especially with performance models that didn’t exist before. The brand is clearly sticking with high-performance cars, even if it means adding a plug to keep them alive.