2026 Audi RS5 Unveiled as Brand’s First High-Performance PHEV

The all-new Audi RS5 breaks cover as the brand's first high-performance plug-in hybrid model with up to 630 hp.

Audi has followed in the footsteps of fellow German rivals by succumbing to the electrification bandwagon, as it revealed its first high-performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model, the all-new 2026 Audi RS5. This latest creation of Audi Sport arrives in both sedan and Avant wagon forms, where it now becomes the direct replacement for both the previous-gen RS4 Avant and RS5 saloon.

Being Audi Sports’ first-ever high-performance PHEV model, the new RS5 adopts the same 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 heart from its predecessor, which is capable of producing 503 hp and 600 Nm by itself. Audi, however, thinks that is not enough for the new model, so it adds a 174 hp-rated electric motor into its eight-speed automatic gearbox for a combined output of 630 hp and 825 Nm.

This makes the new RS5 157 hp more powerful than the already potent BMW M3 Competition xDrive, with Audi claiming a quick century sprint time of just 3.6 seconds and a limited V-max of 285 km/h for this electrified behemoth.

Juicing the electric motor is a sizable 22 kWh battery pack that Audi claims is good for up to 80 km of pure electric range. As with any other PHEVs out there, you can charge up the pack using the engine itself or plug it in to an 11 kW AC charger, although no DC charging abilities were mentioned.

Beyond the new V6 PHEV setup, the new RS5 also benefits from tons of mechanical upgrades, including a new version of Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) system that now integrates a central differential. There’s also the new Dynamic Torque Control, which is essentially an electromechanical torque vectoring system at the rear axle that can shuffle torque between the rear wheels in milliseconds.

Not to forget, there’s also the new RS Torque Rear mode, which is Audi’s lingo for a ‘drift mode’ for this electrified behemoth, while stopping power is provided by 420 mm front and 400 mm rear steel disc brakes, which can be upgraded to optional RS carbon ceramic brakes that weigh 30 kg less despite featuring bigger diameters of 440 mm at the front and 410 mm at the rear.

Speaking of weight, the new RS5 is certainly not a lightweight car, thanks to both its new electrified powertrain and all the mechanical complications it carries. Audi says the sedan model tips the scale at 2,355 kg with a driver, while the Avant wagon version adds another 15 kg for a total of 2,370 kg, thus bringing them closer to the G90 BMW M5’s weight territory.

In terms of design, both the RS5 sedan and Avant are based on the third-gen Audi A5, which saw the Ingolstadt-based marque combining both the A4 and A5 into a single nameplate.

As with any other RS models, the new RS5 ups the ante over its standard twin with the addition of a sportier RS bodykit with a large honeycomb front grille, special chequered flag lighting signatures, a large rear diffuser with vertical fins, an RS sport exhaust system with dual oval exhaust tips finished in a dark matte hue, 21-inch two-tone diamond-cut phantom black wheels with matte accents, bronze-hued RS brake callipers, and many more.

Inside, the new RS5 gets the same triple-screen setup seen on its non-RS siblings, plus several additional RS-specific parts around the car. This includes the RS sports steering wheel, the RS sport seats with honeycomb quilting and ventilation function, dark metallic vanadium trims, and many more. And just like any other Audi RS model, customers can select from an array of interior customisation options, ranging from the upholstery colour to trim materials and more.

European buyers can already place a booking for their new 2026 Audi RS5, with deliveries expected to commence later in summer this year. The new models will be built at Audi’s Neckarsulm plant in Germany, with no pricing details unveiled for now.