For those who want blistering performance without guilt, and space for more than a duo, the new generation of eco-minded speed machines delivers. No, I am not talking about electric vehicles. That would be cheating. I am talking hybrids, and I am specifically talking about the 2027 Audi RS 5, Audi Sport’s first-ever high-performance plug-in hybrid.
We are talking about a mind-bending 639 PS of system output, an optional top speed of 285 km/h (177 mph), and around 80 km (50 mph) of electric-only range. You know, for making up for the days when you had a heavy right foot. Which you will inevitably have with this machine.
That is only part of the story. The new RS 5 is also the world’s first quattro with Dynamic Torque Control in the rear transaxle, capable of shifting torque between the rear wheels in milliseconds. The result is sharper turn-in, better traction, and a car that feels far more alive than its eco credentials suggest. Handling is the headline, not an afterthought.
And then there is the visual warning to everyone else on the road. Wider RS bodywork, flared fenders, darkened Matrix LED headlights, and the unmistakable RS sport exhaust system leave no ambiguity. Inside, bold RS details make sure you never forget what you bought, even when you are crawling through traffic at 12 km/h, pretending restraint is a personality trait.
Audi’s recipe here is delightfully unhinged in the most German way. The RS 5 pairs a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 making 375 kW (510 PS) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) with an electric motor adding 130 kW (177 PS) and 460 Nm (361 lb-ft). Together, they serve up to 470 kW (639 PS) and 825 Nm (608 lb-ft), plus a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) time of 3.6 seconds.
The battery is a 25.9 kWh pack (22 kWh net), good for up to 84 km (~52 mi) of electric range, or up to 87 km (~54 mi) in the city. Charging is AC up to 11 kW, with a quoted 0 to 100 percent in about 2.5 hours. Quick grocery run, quick recharge, quick return to bad decisions.
The real party trick is the new quattro setup. Dynamic Torque Control lives in the rear transaxle and uses electro-mechanical torque vectoring to shuffle torque side-to-side in milliseconds. Audi says it can deploy up to 2,000 Nm (1,475 lb-ft!) of torque difference in 15 milliseconds, with calculations happening every 5 milliseconds at 200 Hz. Put simply, it is a very fast, very serious system working overtime so you can feel like a hero on an on-ramp.
Chassis hardware is equally RS. Twin-valve dampers aim to keep ride comfort civil while cutting pitch and roll, backed by RS-tuned steering and 20-inch or 21-inch wheels. Brakes are properly sized: steel discs at 420 mm front and 400 mm rear, or ceramic at 440 mm front and 410 mm rear. Curb weight is 2,355 kg (5,192 lbs) for the Sedan and 2,370 kg (5,225 lbs) for the Avant.
Inside, screens dominate: 11.9-inch virtual cockpit plus a 14.5-inch MMI touch display, and a 10.9-inch passenger display. There’s also an “Audi driving experience” function that logs lap times, drift angles, and torque distribution in real time, so you can review exactly what the car did and how it behaved. I am going to assume this, almost like a race car feature is for a track or private setup.
Available to order from April 2026 in a choice of Avant and Sedan. Price is to be announced.
Images: Audi.
