Audi RS5 Evaluation: Efficiency PHEV Delivers Driving Thrills

All of the early Audi RS5 headlines targeted on one factor: the automobile’s gargantuan curb weight. Rightfully so, too, since this one clocks in at greater than 1,000 kilos heavier than the outgoing model.

For these of you preferring to cross judgment till you have heard about precise, in-real-life driving dynamics, I’ve excellent news: this newest Audi RS5 is an absolute pleasure to drive. In actual fact, the RS5 delivers such an entire package deal—from styling, tech, and luxury to a mix of on a regular basis usability with severe on-track functionality—that I’m nonetheless excited about it week after driving it.

Audi engineers labored additional time guaranteeing the brand new RS5 punches far above its (ahem) weight class. Setting me unfastened within the automobile on Austrian Alpine roads and a take a look at observe facility, with quickly shifting climate circumstances, helped cement this newest RS5 as a stunner of a sports activities sedan.

Picture by: Audi

Let’s get the heavy bit accomplished first—the 2026 Audi RS5 weighs nearly 5,200 pounds. That’s greater than the present Audi Q7, thoughts you. How did we get right here? Audi determined to embrace the electrified performance-enhancing drug that may be a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Underneath the hood, you’ll discover a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine. By itself, the mill doles out 503 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, sending its grunt out to all 4 wheels by way of an eight-speed computerized gearbox. 

Inside that gearbox, you’ll discover an electrical motor good for an additional 174 hp. Captain Planet these powers, and the RS5 serves up 630 hp and 609 lb-ft at your command. Regardless of its heft, Audi claims a 0-62 mph sprint takes simply 3.6 seconds. Actually, it feels faster than that.

Picture by: Audi

Audi’s actual get together trick doesn’t merely lie with the powertrain, although, because the chassis is the star of the present. There’s a small electrical motor that lives contained in the rear finish. This is only one component of the Dynamic Torque Management system, which additionally options an open differential and a planetary gear set.

The RS5 can ship as a lot as 85 p.c of accessible torque out again, and it primarily operates in a rear-biased mode. When the torque hits this rear housing by way of the drive shaft, the system determines the place that energy must go, leading to a system that may shift torque shortly and successfully with out the necessity for extra conventional brake-based torque vectoring programs.

Hopping behind the wheel, I set the RS5 into Dynamic mode. That is on the behest of the very engineer answerable for tuning the trick rear finish. I’ll admit that I’m a bit skeptical since my childish mind would favor to leap straight to RS Torque Rear. My skepticism is short-lived as I pilot the RS5 over a brief however entertaining technical observe often known as the ÖAMTC Driving Method and Expertise Middle.

Photographs by: Audi

Photographs by: Audi

This RS5 is downright playful. The rear finish will step vast in a progressive, comfy, and simply controllable method on nook exit. Nonetheless, the RS5 has AWD, which suggests you may get on the ability early and correctly rip from one nook to the subsequent. At the same time as I throw the automobile into off-camber or crested turns, this four-ringed hero slides a bit, shrugs it off, and we’re away, rocketing down the subsequent straight part of observe.

I merely don’t really feel the curb weight listed on the spec sheet. A part of that’s owed to the darkish magic taking place within the rear. One other half comes courtesy of the twin-valve suspension dampers. Whenever you permit one a part of the suspension system to give attention to rebound and one other to deal with compression, you wind up with a machine destined to ship smiling faces.

Picture by: Audi

Past the take a look at observe, my driving route included sluggish speeds by pleasant Austrian countryside cities, twisting alpine routes, and a splash of freeway for an excellent combine. Alongside the best way, I fairly actually drove by shining, heat solar, a smattering of rain, and two separate snowstorms.

Usually, that’s a less-than-ideal day whenever you’re on a set of 285-section-width high-performance summer time tires. The RS5 shrugged all of it off, whereas I remained assured and cozy within the cabin. These optionally available Pirellis are a part of the obtainable Audi Sport Package deal. Choosing that equipment unlocks a 177 mph prime velocity (vs 155), carbon-ceramic brakes, a revised entrance fascia, distinctive inside trim bits, and black-painted rear exhaust shops.

For additional personalization, Audi may also supply an expanded vary of inside and exterior coloration choices by the Audi Unique package deal. You may spec gold wheels, contrasting stitching, and different touches to essentially personalize your RS5. Personally, I say the Bedford Inexperienced paint seems to be slightly fetching.

Photographs by: Audi

Photographs by: Audi

Even with out spec’ing extra fashion to the automobile, Audi has accomplished a positive job making this RS5 look ‘the enterprise.’ Solely the hood is shared with the usual A5; every part else will get the Audi Sport remedy. My favourite bit on the skin needs to be the aggressive fender work, particularly the entrance pair with the warmth extractors.

Out again, I’m certain critiques on the exhaust design will probably be blended. In particular person, although, the impact works to provide the automobile way more visible drama. Sadly, essentially the most dramatic-looking model of the RS5 is the one we don’t get: the Avant. Sure, I begged Audi to let me have a go within the handful of wagons on show. No, I used to be not allowed to take action.

However there’s a glimmer of hope for you longroof followers. Talking with Audi CEO Gernot Döllner, he mentioned that though the RS5 Avant won’t be obtainable right here at launch, the model stays open to assessing buyer demand. Moreover, Döllner says US sellers are certainly asking for the automobile.

So in the event you love an excellent sporty wagon, and you’ve got the money to place one in your driveway, begin waving your cash round at your native Audi supplier.

Audi RS5 Verdict

Picture by: Audi

Audi has carried out a magic trick with the 2027 RS5. On paper, the automobile mustn’t drive in addition to it does. Positive, there’s additionally types of mechanical and electrical wizardry at play, however physics is physics. A heavy Audi sedan ought to plow like Homer Simpson in a jacked-up purple pickup, but the RS5 dances by corners as if it had two fewer doorways and weighed 1,500 kilos much less.

This automobile makes the proper case for the great that plugin-hybrid tech can do in a efficiency setting. That ‘good’ will price you, as we’re estimating a beginning value between $110,000 and $120,000, thoughts you.

However that cash will get you a automobile keen to place a smile in your face, be it whenever you’re ripping tires aside on a race observe or sitting in stop-and-go visitors working the automobile in its pure EV mode. Thus saving you a couple of bucks on the gasoline pump, which you’ll be able to then put towards extra tires for extra observe days.