Audi Rs5 Avant arrives as 639hp plug-in hybrid replacing the RS4
The new audi rs5 avant arrives as a direct successor to the RS4, presented as Audi Sport’s first high-performance plug-in hybrid. The model combines a 2. 9-liter twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor and a claimed combined output of 639hp, while tipping the scales at roughly 2. 37 tonnes in Avant form — a launch that redefines the RS lineup’s balance of power, weight and all-electric capability.
Audi Rs5 Avant technical highlights
The drivetrain pairs a 2. 9-liter twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor; the combustion unit is specified at 375 kW (510 PS) and the electric motor at 130 kW. Power is routed through a hybridized eight-speed automatic gearbox and a new rear transaxle that enables electromechanical torque vectoring at the rear as a world first in a production model. A center differential with preload keeps the drivetrain partially locked for longitudinal torque management, while a rear differential can shift torque between the wheels in milliseconds. A dedicated control unit recalculates optimal torque distribution every 5 milliseconds (a frequency of 200 Hz) to implement precise changes almost instantly. The package is complemented by bespoke RS sport suspension with twin-valve shock absorbers tailored to the hybrid layout.
Performance, weight and range
The combined output is listed at 639hp with 624 lb ft of torque and a 0–62 mph time of 3. 6 seconds for the quickest specification. The plug-in hybrid architecture includes a battery with a usable capacity stated as 22 kW and an electric-only range claimed at up to 54 miles. The switch to electrification brings fuel-use advantages in heavy-load scenarios, with a stated reduction of up to 20 percent when the electric drive is working alongside the combustion engine. Curb weight is substantial: the saloon and Avant are specified at about 2. 35 and 2. 37 tonnes respectively, placing the model well above the previous generation’s mass and creating a different set of trade-offs for buyers considering a sport wagon.
Design cues and on-road character
The RS5’s bodywork is notably wider than the base A5, with flared fenders and a muscular stance designed to house the wider track and aerodynamic addenda. Visual features include a three-dimensional Singleframe with a honey-comb grille, Air Curtains to manage airflow, darkened Matrix LED headlights with a checkered-flag daytime signature, an aerodynamic diffuser and matte oval tailpipes for an RS-typical finish. The electrified underpinnings are packaged beneath the boot floor, contributing to the increased rear mass that factors into the vehicle’s overall dynamics.
Key takeaways
- The audi rs5 avant is a high-performance plug-in hybrid pairing a 2. 9L V6 and a 130 kW electric motor for a combined 639hp.
- Battery usable capacity is listed at 22 kW, with up to 54 miles of electric-only driving; claimed fuel use can fall by up to 20% under high loads.
- Kerb weight is substantial: the Avant is specified at about 2. 37 tonnes, and the package includes a new quattro layout with electromechanical torque vectoring and rapid torque redistribution.
What comes next: buyers and fleet managers will be weighing the RS5’s substantial power and electric range against its increased mass. If the stated electric range and combined output hold in real-world use, the model may broaden RS appeal to customers seeking everyday electric driving alongside flagship performance. Observers will watch how the new quattro arrangement and rear torque vectoring translate to lap and road performance now that the RS nameplate is carrying hybrid hardware into the high-performance segment.
