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New Audi RS5 arrives as a 640‑hp plug‑in performance challenger
The latest Audi RS5 has been unveiled as Audi Sport's first plug-in hybrid, armed with eye-catching power figures and technology aimed at taking the fight directly to rivals such as the BMW M3. At its heart sits the familiar 2.9‑liter V6 twin‑turbo—still producing 510 hp on its own—paired with an electric motor integrated into the 8‑speed automatic transmission to deliver a combined 640 hp and 825 Nm of torque.
Performance highlights
This blended gasoline‑electric setup gives the RS5 a claimed 0–100 km/h time of roughly 3.6 seconds, putting it well ahead of the BMW M3 Competition on raw horsepower by about 110 hp. A short-duration boost function releases full power for up to 10 seconds, and a dedicated RS Torque Rear mode shifts the car toward a rear‑biased dynamic more suited to drifting and track maneuvers.
"Audi Sport has clearly pushed hybrid performance into a new bracket—this RS5 is fast on paper—but the story doesn't end with straight‑line speed," said a company engineer during the launch briefing.
Electric range and battery
The RS5 carries a 22 kWh battery pack that provides an estimated all‑electric range of around 80 kilometers—comfortably longer than some immediate rivals. That EV capability is designed not only to reduce emissions in everyday driving, but also to add an electric torque fill that sharpens midrange response under hard acceleration.
Weight, packaging and chassis tech
Here the narrative becomes complicated: the new RS5 is substantially heavier than its predecessor. The sedan weighs approximately 2,355 kg, while the wagon/Avant tips the scales at about 2,370 kg—an increase of some 605 kg versus the outgoing model. To put that into perspective, the new RS5 is reportedly about 200 kg heavier than the larger RS6 and even outweighs certain V8 Ford F‑150 variants.
Heavy curb weight is the elephant in the room for any high‑performance hybrid. Audi engineers counter this with an updated quattro all‑wheel‑drive system featuring a new central differential aimed at reducing understeer, and a dynamic torque control system at the rear that redistributes torque between the wheels in milliseconds to maximise grip.
Key technical and design points:
- Powertrain: 2.9L V6 twin‑turbo + electric motor, 8‑speed auto
- Combined output: 640 hp, 825 Nm
- 0–100 km/h: ~3.6 seconds
- Battery: 22 kWh, EV range ~80 km
- Curb weight: sedan ~2355 kg, Avant ~2370 kg
Styling and market positioning
Visually, Audi has leaned into aggression: the body is roughly 90 mm wider than before, featuring a darker honeycomb grille, prominent wheel arches, a large rear diffuser and matte, oval exhaust outlets. The car projects the presence of a performance hero, and Audi is positioning it as a halo model that bridges electrification and traditional RS performance.
Whether all the electronic aids and chassis upgrades can fully mask that additional mass on a twisty road remains the central question for drivers and reviewers. Real‑world testing later this year will be critical to see if Audi has balanced physics and technology successfully.
For buyers, the new RS5 offers massive straight‑line speed and usable electric range, but it also represents a notable shift in how high‑performance Audis are packaged—trading lightness for hybrid power and complexity.
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