The new Audi RS5 is a plug-in hybrid, but the brand does not make the mistake of Mercedes to put a four-cylinder in it. The hybrid drive does not make the car lighter, but it does get extra boost.
Audi introduces the new RS5 on the Austrian Großglockner Pass. It is precisely here that the German brand wants to present its latest model as a real cornering king. The secret lies in a compact electric motor on the rear axle, which can send up to 1000 Nm of torque to one rear wheel. This allows you to exit the bend with smoking tires, instead of the car sliding straight ahead as with older RS models.
Now with plug and more power
The RS5 is the successor to the RS4 Avant, because due to Audi’s name changes, the station version is now also called RS5. Power sedans and sporty station wagons remain popular because they combine a lot of power with space for family or friends. But due to stricter environmental regulations, petrol power alone is no longer an option: plug-in hybrid is the new standard. Mercedes and BMW already preceded Audi, but fortunately Audi has chosen to retain the popular 2.9-liter V6 biturbo from the previous RS4.
That engine now produces more than 500 hp. The electric motor, linked to the eight-speed automatic transmission, adds another 170 hp. Together they peak at 639 hp – more than the 450 hp of the previous RS4. However, it is a lot heavier: due to the batteries and hybrid technology, it weighs well over 2,300 kilos. More than 600 kilos more than before!
Fortunately, it looks as impressive as it is heavy. The car is wider than its predecessor, has a huge grille, centrally placed exhausts and thick wheel arches. With 21-inch wheels with wide tires, it should keep all that weight in check. There are optional ceramic brakes, now also at the rear, and various sports and carbon packages.
Inside you will find sports bucket seats, a sports steering wheel (optional with Alcantara) and high-quality materials. You can quickly switch to sporty driving modes via an RS button on the steering wheel. There is even a ‘boost’ button that immediately puts everything in focus. Handy for overtaking. The trunk is smaller due to the plug-in technology: 361 liters, about 100 liters less than a regular A5 Avant.
Nice and twisted, but synthetic
The chassis feels sturdy and the car sits solidly on the road. The steering feel is comparable to other RS models: not very communicative, but appropriate for fast Audis.
The best part is the Dynamic Torque Control system. You don’t even have to turn off all the electronic assistance systems to have fun. Accelerate when exiting an exit and the rear sways, thanks to a small electric motor that sends torque to the outer rear wheel. This way it helps the nose move in the right direction and you can draw rubber stripes. It does feel a bit artificial compared to a BMW M3, which drifts purely on petrol power, but it works surprisingly well.
Overweight and automatic
The weight of over 2,300 kilos cannot be hidden. In intermediate sprints it is not as fast as you would expect based on 639 hp. Downhill you notice that even the big brakes are busy. Still, it doesn’t feel like a deal breaker: RS models have never been light sports cars.
The automatic transmission is a downside. At full throttle, upshifting results in an imbalance in the car, and downshifting in tight corners makes it react too slowly. That’s a shame, because the previous RS4 Avant had the same gearbox, but it felt better.
For those who are used to a BMW M3, the RS5 will feel less sharp and dynamic. But the Audi offers more comfort, lower consumption and – thanks to our tax system – a much friendlier price tag. And its appearance is perhaps its biggest asset: every generation of RS becomes bolder and wider, and Audi knows exactly the right balance between sporty and striking. Fans will love it, and it drives even better too.
All specifications and prices of the Audi RS5 can be found in the free AutoWeek database.
By our colleagues from AutoWeekan independent platform for car enthusiasts and buyers.