AUDI

Audi RS5: a 639 hp "sports sedan"

The Audi RS5 has been on Spanish roads for a few months now (albeit infrequently, given its status as an elite model), and its arrival marked a turning point for Audi Sport, which ventured into plug-in hybrid territory for the first time while also serving as the natural successor to the RS4. The result is a 639 hp sports sedan that combines the legendary 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor integrated into the transmission—a formula some purists might have viewed with skepticism. Perhaps due to its weight of 2,370 kg. Yet, even before getting behind the wheel, we had faith in the Audi Sport engineers—and rightly so.

On the outside, the RS5 is a real head-turner. We aren't exaggerating when we say we saw more smartphone cameras pointed at the car and more thumbs-up gestures as we drove by than if we had been driving a Porsche 911 Turbo. This is because the bodywork is 9 centimeters wider than that of the standard A5, featuring muscular wheel arches that house 21-inch forged wheels, behind which massive brake discs are visible. The Singleframe grille features a honeycomb pattern framed by gloss-black accents, while the bold Matrix LED headlights incorporate checkered-flag-style daytime running lights that perfectly match the car's character.

In our opinion, however, the car is most attractive from the rear; from this angle, you can glimpse the side vents on the front fenders, better appreciate the width of the tires—which measure 285 mm—and spot two exhaust outlets the size of industrial gas pipes. Even the rear features a curious detail: when braking, a checkered-flag-shaped light is projected onto the rear window, reminding those behind that they are facing a car with fierce braking power.

This refined aesthetic extends to the cabin, where Audi has unleashed its full technological arsenal. The MMI Panoramic Display system features an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch central OLED screen, and an additional 10.9-inch passenger display, all complemented by a head-up display. RS mode adds its own layer of information, including lap times and real-time thermal data from the hybrid system. However, don't expect to find an "Eco" mode in this zero-emission vehicle—it doesn't have one, despite its ability to cover a considerable distance on electric power alone.

360 liters of trunk space... The Nappa leather-upholstered sports seats feature heating and massage functions, while the steering wheel includes dedicated buttons to activate RS modes and the "Boost" button, which unleashes the car's full power. Red seatbelts, floor mats with the RS logo, and carbon fiber accents round out an interior that has just one minor drawback: the trunk. Because the battery is housed beneath the trunk floor, capacity is reduced to 360 liters compared to the standard A5. This figure rises to around 1,300 liters with the three-section rear seats folded down. Then again, no one expects a hardcore sports car to have a massive trunk.

For those who prefer not to constantly hear the engine's roar, the Bang & Olufsen sound system offers an immersive 3D audio experience, while the Audi Driving Experience app records lap times and acceleration data for later analysis—whenever you like, and ideally with friends. At the heart of this bold model lies a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, though a "zero-emissions" badge reminds us that it shares the spotlight with electric power. The combustion engine delivers 510 hp and 600 Nm of torque, assisted by an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission that contributes an additional 177 hp and 460 Nm. The result is a combined output of 639 hp and 825 Nm—figures that catapult the RS5 from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds and allow it to reach a top speed of 280 km/h.

The quattro all-wheel-drive system utilizes a Torsen center differential with preload, capable of distributing torque between 70/30 and 15/85 across the front and rear axles; it is complemented by an electromechanical torque-vectoring system on the rear axle that reacts in just 15 milliseconds and can manage a torque difference of up to 2,000 Nm between the two rear wheels.

85 km in zero-emission mode...The 25.9 kWh battery (22 kWh usable) allows for an electric range of up to 85 km (in the city), although the car claims an electric range of up to 120 km with a fully charged battery. With the gasoline engine running, official fuel consumption is 10 l/100 km, increasing when the battery is depleted. Charging is possible only via alternating current (AC) at up to 11 kW, so a full charge takes about two and a half hours.

All this mechanical hardware translates into surprising agility for a car weighing over 2.3 tons. The suspension eschews air suspension in favor of coil springs combined with dual-valve adaptive dampers, capable of independently controlling compression and rebound across four levels of firmness. The steering—featuring a more direct 13:1 ratio compared to the standard A5—enhances maneuverability, and driving modes include—in addition to the usual Comfort, Balanced, and Dynamic—two RS-specific settings: Sport and Torque Rear. The latter is designed to unleash the beast and string together controlled drifts, while the display measures the drift angle in real time. As previously mentioned, Eco mode is neither present nor expected.

Under normal driving conditions, the RS5 moves with a composure that belies its weight, easily absorbing road imperfections thanks to its adaptive dampers. When pushed to the limit, the all-wheel-drive system and electronic torque distribution propel the car powerfully out of corners, with the electric motor’s instant response filling any torque gap before the V6 kicks in. Steel brakes come as standard, though there is an option to install carbon-ceramic discs measuring up to 440 mm in diameter at the front, which also reduce weight on the front axle by 30 kg.

Naturally, all this engineering comes at a high price. In Spain, the Audi RS5 Avant starts at €129,690. That price is fitting for a car that impresses behind the wheel and—we reiterate—will make you the center of attention.

Autonews