New Audi RS5: A Powerful Hybrid with 630 Horsepower
Audi has introduced the all-new RS5, which replaces the previous RS4 and RS5 models. This is the first high-performance plug-in hybrid from Audi Sport. The car is offered in two body styles: a fastback sedan and an Avant wagon.
Under the hood of the new model works a hybrid powertrain based on a 2.9-liter bi-turbo V6, combined with an electric motor integrated into the gearbox. Together they develop power that makes competitors, such as the BMW M3, less impressive.
This is Audi’s first high-performance plug-in hybrid, and it is not shy about its power.
Technical Specifications and Performance
The gasoline V6 engine, inherited from previous generations, by itself produces 503 hp and 600 Nm of torque. The electric motor adds another 177 hp and 460 Nm. The total system output is an impressive 639 horsepower and 825 Nm of torque.
This is 157 hp more than the base BMW M3, and 107 hp more than the all-wheel-drive Competition version. The claimed acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h is just 3.6 seconds.
Hybrid Component and Range
The car is equipped with a 22 kWh battery pack located under the trunk floor. It provides up to 80 kilometers of range in pure electric mode, which significantly exceeds the figures of some competitors, for example, the previous hybrid Mercedes-AMG C63.
New All-Wheel Drive System and Handling
The engineering work was not limited to the powertrain. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system received a new center differential to improve cornering response and reduce understeer tendency. The rear axle is equipped with a dynamic torque vectoring system that can instantly redistribute power between the wheels.
There is even a special RS Torque Rear mode, which is a polite German definition for ‘drift mode’.
There is also a performance boost button that provides maximum output for 10 seconds. The braking system can be equipped with either steel or optional large-diameter carbon-ceramic discs.
Weight as the Main Challenge
However, with all this technology, the car has become significantly heavier. The sedan’s weight is 2355 kg, and the wagon’s is 2370 kg. This is approximately 600 kg more than the previous RS5 weighed, making the new model even heavier than the full-size RS6 with a V8 engine and the competing BMW M3. In fact, the RS5’s weight exceeds the mass of some Ford F-150 pickups.
Exterior and Design
Externally, the new RS5 looks more aggressive than the standard A5. The body has become 90 mm wider, the radiator grille has received a darker shade and a honeycomb pattern, and the lighting signature features a checkered flag graphic. The rear is adorned with a diffuser with vertical ribs and matte oval exhaust tips.
The car undoubtedly looks like a true sports sedan, but the question of whether the large mass will spoil the driving impression remains open. The answer to it will appear later this year when test drives begin.
The presentation of the Audi RS5 clearly outlines the trend in the high-performance segment: power and technology are achieved through hybridization, which inevitably leads to an increase in mass. This creates new challenges for engineers who must balance environmental friendliness, performance, and preserving the exciting character of driving. The success of this model will largely depend on how successfully they managed to overcome the physics of weight with advanced chassis and drivetrain management systems. The electric range figures also speak of a serious step forward compared to the first hybrid attempts of competitors, making the RS5 more practical for daily use.