Audi is taking its RS formula into new territory. The new 2027 Audi RS5 is the brand’s first RS-badged plug-in hybrid, pairing a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor for a combined output of 630 horsepower and 608 pound-feet of torque. And just as important as the power headline, Audi says it’s debuting a new quattro setup with Dynamic Torque Control that adds electromechanical torque vectoring at the rear.
At the core of the RS5’s new drivetrain is an updated 2.9L V6 TFSI rated at 503 hp, backed by a 174 hp electric motor integrated into a hybridized eight-speed tiptronic. Audi says the V6 has been reworked for stronger response and efficiency, including changes like variable-geometry turbos, upgraded fuel delivery, and water-to-air intercooling.
The 22-kWh battery is mounted beneath the trunk floor. It should have an all-electric range of around 40 miles and Audi claims that it can reach 62 mph in 3.6 seconds. Afull charge can happen in about 2.5 hours.
Audi’s biggest technical talking point is its new rear transaxle with electromechanical torque vectoring, branded as quattro with Dynamic Torque Control. Instead of relying purely on traditional mechanical torque-vectoring hardware, this setup uses an electric motor actuator with overdrive gears and a differential to shift torque between the rear wheels.
Audi says the controller recalculates target distribution every 5 milliseconds and can deploy torque differences extremely quickly to influence rotation, traction, and stability—both on throttle and under braking.
On top of that, Audi is also introducing a new center differential with preload, designed to stay partially locked to improve turn-in and responsiveness during throttle transitions.
Audi is leaning heavily on chassis tuning to keep the heavier plug-in setup feeling sharp. Highlights include:
- RS sport suspension with twin-valve dampers (independent control of compression and rebound)
- RS-tuned steering with a more direct 13:1 ratio
- 20- or 21-inch wheels, with staggered widths on available 21s
- Steel brakes standard with optional ceramic brakes.
Audi also claims the body structure is 10% stiffer than the base A5 for tighter control under load.
Drive modes include the usual comfort/balanced/dynamic choices plus RS-specific calibrations—most notably:
- RS torque rear (rear-biased mode intended for controlled oversteer on closed courses)
- RS sport (maximum propulsion/traction-focused setup)
There’s also a boost function that unleashes maximum acceleration for 10 seconds at the press of a button—positioned as a quick overtaking tool.
New to the cabin tech stack is an “Audi driving experience” feature that can log route data, store sector times, and (in RS torque rear) display stats like drift angle. The main interface includes an 11.9-inch digital cluster and 14.5-inch central touchscreen, plus a 10.9-inch passenger display.
Audi says the RS5 is about 3 inches wider than the standard A5 front and rear, with flared fenders and more aggressive aero. Lighting gets an RS-specific “checkered flag” theme in the signatures, and the rear features a prominent diffuser with oval RS exhaust outlets.
What you see here is the European model, which is slated to go on sale sometime this summer. Audi hasn’t revealed the details about the US version, but it reportedly will not include the lovely RS5 Avant.
