Will Combustion Become a Luxury?

The internal combustion engine may be shifting from an everyday means of transport into something more like a premium extra. That difference matters, because a buyer looking at a $700,000 supercar is not thinking the same way as someone shopping for a commuter. When the goal is simple transportation, efficiency, quiet operation, and low running costs can be decisive. But at the very top end of the market, customers often pay for sound, vibration, mechanical intricacy, and the feeling that the car is doing something special. Isn’t that part of the appeal?

Audi’s changing approach seems to recognize that. Instead of treating electrification as a one-size-fits-all answer, the brand appears more open to letting different parts of its lineup evolve at different speeds. Smaller models can go fully electric, while high-priced performance cars may use electrification to support combustion rather than eliminate it. Could that be a more realistic path for premium cars? It’s a notable shift from the earlier belief that wealthy buyers would naturally lead the EV transition simply because they could afford it first. Now the bigger question is whether engines will end up like mechanical watches: no longer necessary, but still deeply desirable for those willing to pay for the experience. Should expensive performance cars keep combustion engines for as long as possible? Vote below, and share whether sound and mechanical drama still matter to you.