Audi unveils its new RS 5, and it's a plug-in hybrid!
Following BMW's lead with its M5, Audi is electrifying its new sports car based on the A5. With the RS 5, a new era is dawning for the German manufacturer.
Aesthetically, the designers have pulled out all the stops, with a wider body and muscular fenders. The headlights and taillights, whose design is reminiscent of a checkered flag, the vents in front of the front doors, the rear spoiler, and the large diffuser housing huge exhaust pipes further reinforce this impression.
The car also stands out with its matte carbon inserts (mirrors, rocker panels, spoiler, diffuser, etc.) and its specific 20- or 21-inch wheels. In this regard, the model we saw (equipped with the Audi Sport package) was fitted with 285/30R21 tires, which may be ill-suited to our roads...
The interior features a design typical of contemporary Audis, with a dual screen facing the driver. The manufacturer also specifies that a monitor facing the passenger is standard on all RS 5 models. The steering wheel is specific to this model, as are the seats, which felt firm and rather snug when we sat in them. Finally, matte carbon fiber and accents in the exterior color are also found in the cabin, particularly at the top of the steering wheel and on the seat belts.
At the time of writing, we do not know if all the items shown in the images will be available to order in Canada.
A twin-turbo V6 and two electric motors
Under the hood, Audi has opted for a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, paired with an 8-speed transmission incorporating an electric motor. At the rear, the car is equipped with a 25.9 kWh battery, allowing it to travel 80 km without consuming gasoline according to European standards. In Canada, this should mean a range of around 60 km.
The combined power of this powertrain is 630 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. This allows the new RS 5 to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 175 mph. That said, it should be noted that the weight is high: 5,200 lbs for the sedan.
All this power is obviously transmitted to the Quattro all-wheel drive system, which features a new rear differential. In addition to the torque received by the gasoline engine and the electric motor located in the transmission, a second electric motor is directly coupled to the rear differential. The latter enables torque vectoring. The system activates in just 15 milliseconds, providing virtually instantaneous response and offering improved agility and stability in corners by delivering more torque to the outside wheel.
According to the engineers consulted on site, this also eliminates the need for four-wheel steering while offering excellent handling. We will tell you more during our first test drive.
On the other hand, please note that a family version of the Avant will be available in several markets, including Europe, but unfortunately it will not be coming to our market (see photo below).
Following this initial presentation of the new RS 5, we know that the car will retail for just over 100,000 euros and will go on sale in Germany in the summer of 2026.
We asked Audi Canada for more details, but they were unable to provide any further information at the time of writing. The new RS 5 is expected to arrive later this year as a 2026 or 2027 model, with pricing yet to be announced.
