New Audi RS5 Shows Electrification Can Mean More Performance, Not Less
Audi has officially unveiled the new RS5, and the message is clear. Electrification in the performance segment does not have to mean compromise. Instead, Audi is using hybrid technology to push performance even further. The newest generation introduces a plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering a combined output of 630 horsepower, making it more powerful than any production BMW M3 to date and even stronger than the previous RS6 Avant.
At the heart of the system is an upgraded twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine that produces 503 horsepower on its own. It works together with a 130 kW electric motor integrated into an eight-speed hybrid automatic transmission. Combined torque reaches 825 Nm, and power is sent to all four wheels through a new rear drive unit with electromechanical torque distribution, a system Audi describes as a first for series production.
Supercar-Level Acceleration
Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.
Performance figures place the new RS5 firmly in supercar territory. Audi claims the car can accelerate from a standstill to 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds. With the optional Audi Sport package, top speed rises to about 177 mph.
A dedicated control on the steering wheel activates a special boost function that unlocks maximum output for up to ten seconds regardless of the selected driving mode. Drivers can choose between Comfort, Balanced, Dynamic, or RS settings, and activating the boost also opens the exhaust valves for a more aggressive sound. After the burst ends, the vehicle automatically returns to its previous configuration.
Efficiency Improves Despite Higher Performance
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Hybridization also improves efficiency. Audi says its updated combustion process, based on a modified Miller cycle, reduces fuel consumption by up to 20% under heavy load compared with earlier setups.
With a fully charged battery, preliminary estimates suggest fuel use equivalent to about 52 to 44 mpg in mixed driving. Once the battery is depleted and the system operates more like a traditional hybrid, consumption drops to roughly 25 to 23 mpg combined.
The RS5 can travel up to approximately 54 miles on electric power alone in urban conditions. Its battery pack has a capacity of 25.9 kWh and supports charging up to 11 kW, allowing a full recharge in about two and a half hours under ideal conditions.
Chassis And Handling Focused On Driver Engagement
Audi has carefully managed the additional weight that comes with the battery, positioning it beneath the cargo floor to help optimize weight distribution. A mechanically limited slip center differential remains partially locked and can vary torque delivery between axles, allowing a strong rear bias when conditions demand it.
According to Audi, this setup makes the new RS5 more willing to rotate and slide controllably than the outgoing performance versions. Advanced vehicle software analyzes longitudinal and lateral forces, rotation, slip angle, and surface grip every few milliseconds, effectively predicting traction limits in real time.
Body rigidity has also increased by about 10% compared with the standard A5, while overall width grows by nearly 3.5 inches. Track width is wider, negative camber settings are more aggressive, and transmission friction losses have been reduced to improve shift response.
Serious Braking Hardware
Stopping power comes from large steel brake discs as standard, measuring approximately 16.5 inches at the front and 15.7 inches at the rear. Buyers can opt for a carbon ceramic package featuring even larger discs measuring around 17.3 inches up front and 16.1 inches at the rear, reducing overall weight by about 66 pounds.
Aggressive Exterior Design And Digital Interior
Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.
Visually, the new RS5 makes a strong statement. A large honeycomb grille dominates the front, while wider fenders and a pronounced rear diffuser with a motorsport-inspired center reflector emphasize its performance intent. Matrix LED headlights feature a unique RS lighting signature, while rear lights include animated sequences for locking and unlocking as well as warning functions for surrounding traffic.
Inside, the cabin is fully digital. A 14.5-inch curved central touchscreen anchors the dashboard, while the driver gets an 11.9-inch digital instrument display with RS-specific graphics and quick access controls for drive modes and boost activation. The front passenger also receives a dedicated 10.9-inch display.
Sport seats with distinctive stitching are available in multiple material combinations, including performance fabrics and microfiber or premium leather with ventilation and massage functions.
Audi Sport Package Adds Extra Visual And Performance Edge
The optional Audi Sport package enhances the car’s character even further. It includes larger air intakes, a more aggressive diffuser, unique 21-inch wheels, and contrasting exterior details. Carbon ceramic brakes with bronze-colored calipers add both visual drama and weight reduction, while matching interior stitching completes the look.
Pricing And Positioning
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Pricing in Germany starts at roughly $115,000 for the sedan, while the Avant wagon begins slightly higher at around $117,000. Regardless of body style, the new RS5 demonstrates Audi’s belief that performance cars can remain thrilling while embracing electrification.
The result is a sports sedan and wagon that blend traditional RS aggression with modern hybrid technology, proving that the future of high performance may be quieter, but it does not have to be slower.
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.
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