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Future models - Audi - RS5 PHEVNew Audi RS5 revealed with 470kW PHEV V6Well-liked 2.9-litre V6 retained while new PHEV system cuts emissions and adds punch20 Feb 2026 By TOM BAKER AUDI'S performance car division has avoided a need to downsize the powertrain of its next-generation RS5 product by appending plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology to the brand’s existing 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine.
It is a bold move designed to thread the needle of achieving emissions compliance in Europe and Australia while retaining a cylinder count enthusiasts demand.
Revealed overnight, the ‘B10’ RS5 is the successor to both the previous-generation B9 RS4 Avant (wagon) and the outgoing F5 RS5 Sportback (four-door coupe).
Having been passed the torch from both of those vehicles, the new model is available in both Avant and Sportback body styles, with the latter set to be marketed globally as the RS5 Sedan, despite retaining the liftback.
The new RS5 follows the smaller RS3 and larger RS6 in amping up the cosmetic aggression, bearing widebody styling with broad haunches extending the bodywork by 90mm compared to a standard A5 model.
Locally, the RS5 will crown an already broad A5 offering that consists of 150kW and 200kW versions of the regular A5, plus a 270kW/500Nm A5 PHEV and 270kW/550Nm S5. The latter uses a corporate 3.0-litre single-turbo V6.
By contrast, the RS5 ups the ante considerably. It retains an existing 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine (shared with Porsche), the outputs of which have increased by 15 per cent to 375kW/600Nm.
Performance from the petrol engine will be supplemented by an RS-fettled PHEV system fed by a 22kWh (usable) battery and 130kW/460Nm electric motor ahead of a close-ratio eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
Total outputs measure 470kW/825Nm (+139kW/225Nm on the previous version), with the petrol engine engaged to keep the PHEV battery state of charge above 90 per cent when the driver selects various dynamic modes.
Audi claims that acceleration times from 0-100km/h have fallen from 3.9 seconds in the previous non-hybrid to 3.6 seconds in the new vehicle, despite European-measured kerb weight increasing to 2355kg (+15kg for Avant).
When driven in efficiency modes, the PHEV component unlocks up to 87km of electric driving range and enables Audi to state relatively modest CO2 emissions of around 86-102g/km (compared to 163g/km for the mild-hybrid S5).
DC charging is unavailable, but AC charging can be done at up to 11kW.
In Australia, where each vehicle sold by a distributor affects that car-maker’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) result, Audi is actually better off selling a PHEV RS5 than an S5.
Still, pricing is anticipated to sit some way north of the milder S5, which costs $114,900 plus on-road costs (plus another $3000 for the Avant body style).
The new RS5 debuts Audi’s most advanced version of its Quattro all-wheel-drive system, implementing what the Ingolstadt brand says is the world’s first electromechanical torque vectoring system for a production car.
A permanently partially locked centre differential can send 85 per cent of torque to the rear wheels, while the new rear transaxle works via an actuator, overdrive gears, and differential to shuffle torque between the rear wheels. Calculations occur every five milliseconds.
The behaviour of the AWD system is altered by drive settings, with the RS Sport mode tuned for maximum traction and outright speed while RS Torque Rear mode maximises torque to the rear wheels for controlled drifts.
Audi Sport has made further changes to the chassis of the underlying A5: the RS5 is 10 per cent stiffer and runs with unique twin-valve passive dampers and a faster 13:1 electric power steering ratio.
Wheel sizes measure 20 inches by default (staggered, with wider tyres at the rear) with 21-inch units an option.
A blended brake-by-wire system is standard, with physical braking force courtesy of either standard steel items (420mm front discs/400mm rear), or optional 30kg-lighter ceramic brakes (440mm front/410mm rear).
Cosmetically, the RS5 can be identified by a now-standard black pack, a broader front single-frame grille with honeycomb pattern, and a much broader rear apron incorporating wider twin matte oval tailpipes.
Adding an optional Sport Package further increases the size of the front air intakes while fitting diamond-cut 21-inch wheels, ceramic brakes, sports exhaust, and a deep black interior with green stitching. The package can be paired with an exclusive colour in Bedford Green.
Inside, power-adjustable and massage seats are standard. In Europe they are shod in cloth and Dinamica as standard, but the Australian market will likely pick up leather in either grey or red.
The standard A5’s 14.5-inch OLED central display and 12-inch digital instrument cluster pick up some unique features, including racetrack and drift analysis.
Key rivals will include the incoming Mercedes-AMG C53 six-cylinder (which is set to replace the PHEV four-cylinder C63), and the next-generation BMW M3—itself likely to retain six-cylinder power with mild-hybrid tech.  Read moreAll future modelsMotor industry news GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
Click to shareAudi modelsResearch Audi All future modelsMotor industry newsGoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
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