New RS 5: Audi bets on electrification while retaining character

This is the all-new Audi RS 5 — the first representative of the new generation of Audi RS models designed to compete with the top models from BMW M and Mercedes-AMG. Following a similar path as the BMW M5, the new RS 5 transitions to a plug-in hybrid powertrain — for greater efficiency and a noticeable increase in performance.

The model will be available in Saloon and Avant body styles and will go on sale in Europe in the coming months. Prices start at around €105,000 for the sedan and €107,000 for the Avant, which is slightly lower than the cost of the BMW M3 Saloon and Touring.

At the core of the new era of Audi RS is a high-performance plug-in hybrid system. It combines a seriously upgraded 2.9-liter V6 twin-turbo from the previous Audi RS 4 with an electric motor and a 25.9 kWh battery.

In architecture, the system resembles the hybrid versions of the Porsche Panamera; however, here the power is significantly higher, and the setup is integrated into Audi's more compact PPC platform. The total output is 630 hp and 825 Nm. The V6 itself produces 503 hp, while the electric motor adds another 174 hp and 460 Nm.
The engine has been significantly revised: new twin-scroll turbochargers, an updated fuel system, and water-cooled intercoolers have allowed for an increase in power from the previous 444 hp while still complying with Euro 7 standards.

Power is transmitted through an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with a classic torque converter instead of a dual-clutch 'robot'. The new central differential can redistribute torque in a range from 70:30 to 15:85 between the front and rear axles.

The rear axle also received a new differential with a compact electric motor, providing torque vectoring and full locking of the rear differential for better maneuverability and grip.

Audi claims a 0-100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds — half a second faster than the previous RS 4 Avant. The top speed reaches 283 km/h with the Audi Sport package.

But the RS 5 is not just about dynamics. The electric range is about 84 km, and the average fuel consumption according to current standards is from 3.8 to 4.5 l/100 km with CO₂ emissions of 86–102 g/km.

Audi has also worked hard to visually distance the RS 5 from the standard A5. The body rigidity has been noticeably increased, and the overall width has grown by 90 mm. Almost all body panels here are unique — only the hood, outer panels of the front doors, roof, and trunk lid are shared with the standard model.
The suspension uses springs and two-valve dampers that separately adjust compression and rebound, giving engineers much more freedom in tuning the balance between comfort and handling.

At the same time, Audi has abandoned a number of expensive chassis systems — there is no rear-axle steering, hydraulically linked dampers, or air suspension. This is particularly interesting given the weight of the car: 2,355 kg for the sedan and 2,370 kg for the Avant.

To cope with this weight, the RS 5 comes with 420 mm brakes at the front and 400 mm at the rear as standard. Optional carbon-ceramic brakes increase the sizes to 440 mm at the front and 420 mm at the rear — this is one of the largest brake packages among production cars, on par with the Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Continental GT Speed.

Externally, the new RS 5 looks significantly more aggressive. The three-dimensional grille features a complex mesh pattern and a black mask that connects it with the side air intakes. The widened arches hide 20-inch wheels as standard, although 21-inch rims will surely be the most popular choice.
At the rear, there is a massive diffuser and large oval exhaust tips positioned closer to the center of the bumper due to the complex layout of the exhaust system.

Versions with the Audi Sport package receive additional elements made of forged carbon, a different front bumper, and forged 21-inch wheels. The sedan also features a neat spoiler on the trunk lid.

Inside, Audi continues to develop its modern "screen" architecture, complementing it with new sports seats and carbon trim. The digital interfaces have received Audi Sport graphics, and a Boost button has appeared on the steering wheel, which unlocks access to maximum power and torque for 10 seconds regardless of the selected driving mode.

The main competitors of the RS 5 remain the Mercedes-AMG C 63, BMW M3, and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, although all three models are currently in a transitional period.
The next generation M3 is expected to receive a mild-hybrid system while retaining the familiar concept, and will also be available in a fully electric version. Alfa Romeo, in turn, plans to produce the current Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio until Euro 7 regulations finally push them out of the market.

But it is the experience of Mercedes-AMG that may best show the buyers' reaction to Audi's new direction. The transition of the last C 63 to a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid setup was met with coolness, and ultimately Mercedes-AMG abandoned the model in favor of the new mild-hybrid C 53 with a straight-six engine.

Audi's approach is different. The RS 5 retains the V6, using electrification not for a complete rethinking of the model, but to enhance its capabilities. A similar strategy has been chosen by BMW with the new M5, retaining the V8 — and this step has proven commercially successful.