Sharper, Faster, Cleaner—The Future of RS Engineering

Audi has taken a bold step into electrified performance with the unveiling of the RS 5 PHEV, its first high-performance plug-in hybrid.

This model represents not only a milestone in Audi Sport’s lineup but also a showcase of cutting-edge engineering, particularly in the realm of handling dynamics.

Dynamic Torque Control delivers agility that defies the car’s size.

With its muscular design available in both sedan and Avant forms, the RS 5 combines traditional RS DNA with advanced hybrid technology, delivering a system output of up to 639 PS and 825 Nm of torque.

The RS 5 PHEV accelerates from 0–62 mph in just 3.6 seconds.

The powertrain pairs a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with a 130-kW electric motor integrated into an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox, supported by a 25.9-kWh battery.

Controlled drift mode adds playful performance to everyday driving.

The result is blistering acceleration, with 0–62 mph achieved in just 3.6 seconds and a top speed around 177 mph.

What truly sets the RS 5 PHEV apart is its world-first Dynamic Torque Control system, a breakthrough in Audi’s quattro evolution.

Traditional mechanical systems have long struggled with understeer, a common criticism of powerful all-wheel-drive cars.

Audi’s new approach replaces hydraulic clutches with an electro-mechanical setup driven by an 8-kW electric motor.

This allows torque to be shifted instantly between the rear wheels, up to 2,000 Nm, with adjustments calculated 200 times per second.

Unlike older systems that react after a slide begins, this proactive technology anticipates cornering needs and distributes power before instability occurs.

The effect is transformative: a heavy, 2.5-ton sports sedan or wagon that handles with the agility of a lightweight performance car.

The innovation also introduces new driving modes. For the first time, Audi’s quattro system can enable controlled drift capability, sending up to 100% of rear drive to a single wheel.

This adds a playful dimension to the RS 5, while maintaining precision and safety.

Competitors such as the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63 rely on slower mechanical systems, making Audi’s instant torque vectoring a significant leap forward in performance engineering.

Electro-mechanical torque vectoring keeps every corner sharp and controlled.

Beyond its technical prowess, the RS 5 PHEV embodies Audi’s “Vorsprung durch Technik” ethos—progress through technology.

A 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 meets electric innovation for 639 PS of output.

It blends everyday usability, with plug-in hybrid efficiency and electric-only driving capability, with track-ready performance.

Audi’s quattro system evolves with instant torque shifts up to 2,000 Nm.

Orders for the RS 5 Sedan and Avant open in Europe in Q1 2026, priced from €106,200 and €107,850 respectively, with deliveries expected later in the year.