BMW has the X4 M and X3 M. Mercedes-AMG concocted the GLC 63. Alfa Romeo has the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. And so far, Audi didn’t come with a its own soldier to fight these competitors, but if recent details hold any truth, that’s about to change.

The RS Q5 might come as traditional SUV and coupe-like Sportback variant

The latest bit of info on the upcoming Audi RS Q5 front comes from Australia’s Car Sales. What’s more, Car Sales says the official’s tone “suggested it was more likely than not.”

We’ve just seen the 2021 Audi Q5 get a hefty revamp recently and we also know there’s a Sportback, plunging-roof-style version coming, but a fully-blown RS Q5 was only mentioned in rumors that had no solid base, really.

However, slotting the RS Q5 between the already-here RS Q3 and RS Q8 makes sense for Audi as long as the brand is looking to fend off the competition. Being a high-performance model, the RS Q5’s centerpiece would undoubtedly be its engine.

Car Sales speculates that the 2.9-liter V-6 co-developed by Porsche would be a prime candidate for serving the RS Q5. Audi also has the option of using the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 found inside the 2020 RS Q8, RS6 Avant, and RS7, where it produces 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque.

If Audi goes for the V-6 and doesn’t alter its power output, then the 444-horsepower stable would place the RS Q5 behind the likes of BMW X3 M/X4 M (473 horsepower) and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 (469 horsepower). But if the V-8 is chosen instead, the Audi will gain a massive power advantage: 591 horsepower compared to 473 horsepower and 469 horsepower, respectively.

Ultimately, it’s all an equation of packaging and what exactly Audi hopes to get from the RS Q5 sales-wise.