Audi RS 5 Hybrid Debuts 639HP
Audi has unveiled its new 639-horsepower RS 5 hybrid featuring a world-first "quattro" all-wheel-drive system. The model blends high-output hybrid technology with Audi's legendary handling, leveraging electric torque fill and advanced AWD for both track and street performance. This marks a significant leap for the RS 5 platform and is expected to set a new benchmark for hybrid performance coupes.
- The powertrain combines a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing 503 horsepower with a 174-horsepower electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination generates a total system torque of 609 lb-ft (825 Nm). - This model marks the first time an Audi RS 5 has been offered as a sedan or an Avant (wagon), shifting away from the previous generation's coupe and sportback body styles. - The vehicle is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with a 25.9-kWh battery, enabling an all-electric driving range of over 50 miles (up to 87 kilometers) on a full charge. - The "world-first" quattro system features electromechanical torque vectoring at the rear axle, which can variably shift power between the rear wheels. This enables a new "RS torque rear" mode, designed to allow for controlled drifting. - This hybrid represents a significant power increase over previous generations; the second-generation RS 5 (2018-2024) was equipped with a non-hybrid twin-turbo V6 making 444 horsepower, while the original (2013-2015) had a 450-horsepower naturally aspirated V8. - A new "boost button" on the steering wheel allows the driver to unlock the full hybrid system power for a 10-second period for maximum acceleration. - The primary competitors include the BMW M3 and the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance. While the current M3 does not feature electrification, the Mercedes-AMG also uses a plug-in hybrid system, but pairs it with a four-cylinder engine instead of a V6. - European deliveries are expected to begin in the summer of 2026, with a starting price in Germany of €106,200 for the sedan.
