Audi’s midsize lineup is in the middle of a big reshuffle, and the RS5 is arriving right as the dust starts to settle. With the A4 nameplate gone and the A5 line now carrying the torch, the sporty four-door hatchback format is the new normal. It is a lot of change for longtime Audi fans, but the upside is simple: the RS badge still means business, and the next RS5 looks like it is ready to remind everyone why.
The headline is the powertrain, because the 2027 RS5 goes plug-in hybrid for the first time. Audi pairs a heavily revised 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor for a combined 630 hp and right around 609 lb-ft of torque, a serious jump over the outgoing car. Audi quotes a 0 to 62 mph run of 3.6 seconds, and knowing how conservative German performance claims can be, it would not be shocking if real-world tests come in even quicker.
Electrification here is not just a spec-sheet flex, either. A 22-kWh usable battery is said to deliver about 44 miles of electric-only driving, and charging is designed to fit into real life with an 11-kW onboard charger that can top things off in a couple of hours. Depending on the test cycle, that EV range number can vary, but the point stands: this RS5 can handle short commutes quietly, then flip into full attack mode when you want the fun stuff.
What really has enthusiasts leaning in is the hardware Audi is using to make this heavier, more complex RS model still feel sharp. There’s a new version of Quattro with a center differential that can push as much as 85 percent of torque rearward, plus an all-new rear transaxle with electromechanical torque vectoring. Audi calls it Dynamic Torque Control, and it even uses a small electric motor to help shuffle torque side-to-side at the rear, the kind of nerdy engineering that usually pays off when the road gets tight and twisty.
Audi also leaned into track-day credibility with a stiffer body structure than the regular A5, updated suspension pieces, and fancy twin-valve dampers. Brake-by-wire and regenerative braking join the party, and buyers can step up to carbon-ceramic brakes on all four corners. Wheel sizes start at 20 inches with optional 21s, which should nicely fill out the new widebody look while also hinting that this is not just an S5 with louder exhaust.
Speaking of looks, the new RS5 is not shy. The front end is more aggressive, the bodywork is broader, and the rear gets the kind of diffuser-and-oval-exhaust treatment RS fans expect. Audi is also leaning harder into lighting tech, with customizable signatures in the daytime running lights and OLED taillights, including RS-specific themes that will absolutely become a parking-lot conversation starter.
Inside, the RS5 follows Audi’s latest screen-forward layout: a digital gauge cluster, a big center touchscreen, and a passenger-side display. The performance vibe comes through in the details, including sport seats with massage functionality and available leather upgrades for buyers who still want that traditional RS cabin feel. There are also appearance packages that dial up the visual drama, and if Audi’s recent interiors are any hint, expect this thing to feel properly premium even before you start diving into drive modes.
Europe gets the first shot, with sales starting this summer and pricing that works out to about $125,000 for the sedan-style liftback. The wagon version looks fantastic, but it is still expected to be a long shot for the U.S., which is a shame because an electrified RS Avant feels like exactly the kind of forbidden fruit Americans would love. Either way, the U.S.-spec RS5 is on the way later, and if Audi can keep the driving experience as sharp as the tech is ambitious, this could be the RS car that defines the brand’s next era.
Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a car enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that go beyond the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design with his professional precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the site both sharp and forward-thinking.
