🔻 WATCH FULL VIDEO BELOW🔻
Zap! The 2027 Audi RS5 Sedan and Wagon Pack Big PHEV Power
For the first time ever, Quattro all-wheel drive is paired with electro-mechanical torque vectoring.
Billy RehbockWriterFeb 19, 2026
Audi has brought high-performance all-wheel-drive wagons to the global market dating back to the 1994 RS2 Avant, which was developed with Porsche’s assistance. After decades of neglecting the U.S., Audi Sport finally brought an RS Avant wagon to our shores in the form of the C8-generation Audi RS6 Avant. That high-performance model has enjoyed surprising success in a nation that for decades has eschewed long-roofed cars in favor of SUVs. With this in mind, forgive us for getting our hopes up that the newly announced 2027 Audi RS5 Avant will come to our shores alongside the latest RS5 sedan, which we expect to join the existing A5 and S5 hatchback sedans.
Plug-in Hybrid Performance
Like the prior-generation RS5, the new model comes equipped with a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine, which produces 503 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque in this application. That’s an increase of 66 hp over the prior model’s output of 444 hp, although torque should be about the same. Audi attributes these gains to two variable-geometry turbochargers, higher injection pressure, a shorter and less restrictive intake system, and water-to-air intercoolers. With the help of Miller cycle combustion, Audi says the RS5’s new engine uses up to 20-percent less fuel under high loads. As is typical of the RS5, all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission come standard.
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
The transmission and a limited-slip differential split torque between the front and rear within a range of 70/30 to 15/85. In short, the RS5 can bias the front end when traction is needed or mainly power the rear for high-performance driving. Yes, this is an Audi you can drift. The center differential features preload, meaning it’s always partially locked for traction and handling.
For the first time ever, Audi pairs the engine of one of its RS models with an electric motor as part of its new plug-in hybrid powertrain. The twin-turbo V-6 works with an electric motor developing 175 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque for combined peak system outputs of 630 hp and 608 lb-ft of torque. That puts the new RS5 in the same conversation as the Mercedes-AMG E53 PHEV, which develops 604 hp and 554 lb-ft of torque. Audi claims acceleration from 0–62 mph takes 3.6 seconds, which we suspect is highly conservative given the prior-generation RS5 Sportback’s ability to run from 0–60 in the same amount of time.
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
Power to the electric motor is supplied by a battery with a total capacity of 25.9 kWh, with 22.0 kWh usable. Audi claims up to 54 miles of all-electric driving range in the city with this new setup. The electrical system uses 400-volt architecture, enabling a maximum charging speed of 11 kW and a full charge in 2.5 hours. Audi no longer equips a 12-volt starter motor due to redundancy with the new electric motor, which it now uses to start the RS5’s engine.
To achieve peak output and maximum performance from torque vectoring, the RS5’s battery needs to be charged to at least 90 percent when using RS Sport and RS Torque Rear drive modes. That seems like a serious compromise for a plug-in hybrid, but the automaker says the vehicle is programmed to hold charge when configured to either of these drive modes. Pumps, fans, and heat exchangers work in concert to keep the battery cooled to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
The battery powers more than the electric motor, and it is mounted beneath the trunk floor. The cells also send up to 8 kW to a permanent-magnet synchronous motor in the sedan or wagon’s new electro-mechanical torque-vectoring system, which Audi calls Dynamic Torque Control. This technology actively shuffles torque between the rear wheels using an actuator, overdrive gears, and a differential. Recalculations and adjustments occur at a frequency of 200 Hz, or once every five milliseconds.
Other chassis upgrades include RS-specific front and rear axles as well as RS sport suspension with twin-valve shock absorbers and active dampers. The RS5 gets its own steering tune that’s distinct from the A5’s and S5’s as well. Audi offers 20- and 21-inch wheels covering standard steel or available carbon-ceramic brakes.
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
Dimensions, Packaging, and Customization
In proper Audi fashion, the 2027 RS5’s bodywork is widened by 3.5 inches and makes for a fender-flared look. The hatchback-sedan body style tips the scale at 5,192 pounds while the Avant weighs 5,225 pounds. That’s an increase of more than 1,000 pounds over the last RS5 Sportback we tested, which weighed 4,103 pounds.
A model-specific interpretation of Audi’s single-frame grille wears a honeycomb pattern and is flanked by air curtains that control airflow. Around the back, both RS5 variants receive a rear diffuser and Audi Sport’s signature ovular exhaust tips. LED exterior lighting with a checkered-flag pattern winks to the model’s high-performance intentions. Nine paint colors are available, including Ascari Blue, Mythos Black, and Progressive Red.
Inside the cabin, Audi equips the new RS5 with the same single-pane unit housing an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch touchscreen. Contrasting the regular A5 and S5, the RS5 has route analytics software, sector timing for racetracks, and drift-angle logging. You’ll also find performance-logging apps on the passenger-side touchscreen.
The available Audi Sport package is offered for both Avant and sedan models, equipping special bumpers, Phantom Black 21-inch wheels with matte trim, RS ceramic brakes with bronze-colored calipers, and carbon camouflage accents. It also adds an RS sport exhaust system and cranks up the top speed to 177 mph. Inside the cabin, the RS Sport package decks out the cockpit with Serpentine Green and Brass contrast stitching. It furthers the RS5’s customization options with Bedford Green metallic paint.
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
With all this extra performance on tap, Audi is asking a hefty sum for the 2027 RS5 Sedan and Avant in its German home market. Pricing begins around $125,000 for the RS5 Sedan and $127,000 for the RS5 Avant. The prior-generation RS5 Sportback began around $81,000 in its final model year for 2025, so expect to pay a premium for whatever version or versions of the new-generation RS5 Audi chooses to bring to the U.S. European buyers can begin ordering the cars in the first quarter of 2026, with deliveries beginning in the summer.\n\nIn the high-octane world of performance sedans and wagons, Audi has once again raised the stakes. The arrival of the 2027 Audi RS5 Sedan and Avant marks a pivotal moment for the German automaker, introducing a potent plug-in hybrid powertrain that promises to redefine the benchmarks for speed, efficiency, and driving dynamics. As an industry veteran with a decade of experience navigating the evolving landscape of automotive engineering and consumer preferences, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the demand for electrification has reshaped the very definition of a performance vehicle. This new RS5 isn’t just an incremental update; it’s a bold statement about the future direction of Audi Sport and the high-performance segment as a whole.\n\nFor years, Audi has teased enthusiasts with the tantalizing prospect of a high-performance hybrid, and with the 2027 RS5, that vision has finally materialized. This isn’t your typical electrified commuter car; this is a meticulously engineered machine designed to deliver exhilarating performance while embracing the benefits of electrification. The centerpiece of this transformation is the integration of a sophisticated plug-in hybrid system, which combines a formidable 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine with a powerful electric motor. This marriage of internal combustion and electric propulsion results in a combined output of 630 horsepower and a staggering 608 lb-ft of torque, catapulting the RS5 into the upper echelons of the performance hierarchy.\n\nTo put these figures into perspective, this represents a significant leap over its predecessors. The previous generation RS5, while undoubtedly capable, produced approximately 444 horsepower. The substantial increase to 503 horsepower from the V-6 alone, further augmented by the electric motor’s contribution, creates a performance envelope that places the new RS5 in direct competition with some of the most revered performance machines on the market. This power isn’t merely about straight-line speed; it’s about the seamless delivery of torque across the entire rev range, providing drivers with instant throttle response and relentless acceleration that lingers long after the initial
