Audi RS5 Returns in Saloon and Avant Forms as a 630bhp Hybrid

The engine is responsible for 503bhp and 443lb-ft (600Nm) – an increase of 40bhp over the RS4 Edition 25. Extensive revisions include a new shortened intake and water-to-air intercoolers; higher fuel injection pressures also contribute to the power bump. Using a Miller combustion cycle aids efficiency, and future-proofs the engine for compliance with Euro 7 emissions regulations.

Augmenting the V6's output is the car's electric motor, which adds 175bhp and 339lb-ft (460Nm). The motor draws its power from a 22kWh usable capacity battery, allowing for up to 52 miles of all-electric driving. A flat-to-full charge using a home wallbox will take just 2.5 hours to complete; alternately, the battery can be topped up to 80% by the engine while driving, although this will impact fuel economy. The driver can choose between EV and Hybrid setting, and when in its Dynamic drive mode, the RS 5's battery is kept at a minimum of 20% charge in order to deliver maximum boost when desired.

The RS5's performance is sent to all four wheels through a new 8-speed torque converter gearbox, and the latest iteration of Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system. A new limited-slip centre differential can send up to 70% of the torque to the front axle, or 85% to the rear. The system is always partially locked, minimising understeer even under zero throttle load, and promising even faster power distribution when power is called upon.

At the rear axle, a new electromechanical differential is controlled by a driving dynamics computer, and allows for precise lateral torque vectoring. The hardware includes overdrive gears, a conventional differential, and a water-cooled electric motor with 11bhp and 30lb-ft on tap. The Dynamic Torque Control system operates whether accelerating or braking, analysing all driving data every five milliseconds and acting on it almost instantaneously. In RS Sport mode the battery is held at a minimum of 90% charge, ensuring the torque vectoring system always has the required power to perform its witchcraft.

The system also allows for a drift setting to be introduced for the first time in the RS5. Called RS Torque Rear mode, it sends as much torque to the rear axle as possible, and distributes it to the outside rear wheel. The car records drift angles and distances covered sideways, allowing for driver analysis later on.

Visually, the standout feature is the set of flared arches giving the new RS5 a widebody stance that dwarfs the standard car. The nose is dominated by its enlarged front grille which sees the welcome return of the small RS badge that had been absent in recent hot Audis, while updated light signatures with a chequered flag pattern feature at both ends. The dual oval exhaust pipes are an RS staple, but these are mounted closer together than before, harking back to the first and last iterations of the TT.

Those arches house 20-inch matte grey alloy wheels all-round with a 5 Y-spoke design as standard, with wider rims and tyres at the rear for the first time on the RS4/5. There is a choice of two braking systems, with standard steel discs measuring 420mm and 400mm at the front and rear respectively, while the optional ceramic brakes increase the diameters to 440mm and 410mm and save 30kg. Brake-by-wire modulates the blend of regenerative and friction braking, and incorporates a specifically tuned ABS system to ensure maximum stopping power when required.

The Audi Sport package introduces 21-inch bicolour diamond-cut alloys and also includes bespoke bumpers, the RS sport exhaust, ceramic brakes with bronze callipers, and Serpentine green interior stitching, as well as unlocking the higher top speed.

The RS 5's chassis features a 10% stiffer unibody than the base model, and five-link suspension with adjustable twin-valve dampers on both axles. The model gains new joints, links, bushings, and a 13:1 steering ratio to improve handling and feedback. The car's set-up can be adjusted through five preset driving modes, plus an individual setting that allows the driver to mix their preferred powertrain, suspension, stability control, and steering characteristics.

The model serves as the replacement for the RS4, and will be available as an Avant estate and a Saloon – both with five doors. The interior is common across both body styles, with two-piece front seats, and a mixture of leather and microfibre across the panels. The perforated leather steering wheel features a prominent 12 o'clock marker, quick-select button for switching driving modes, and a dedicated Boost button to call upon maximum powertrain performance for 10 seconds at a time. The shift paddles can be used to control the 8-speed transmission, or adjust energy recovery levels when the car is driving under electric power.

RS-specific graphics feature on the customisable infotainment display, and all models get a passenger-side screen as standard. Five interior colour schemes will be available, each with colour-coded contrast stitching, floor mats, and seatbelts. Two ISOFIX mounting points for child seats feature on the rear bench, with a pair of air vents and optional seat heating controls found at the rear of the centre console. The RS5 Saloon offers 330 litres of boot space, with the Avant boosting this to 360 litres. Overall load space is down compared to the car's predecessor owing to the placement of the plug-in hybrid battery.

UK pricing and specifications will be confirmed soon, with the new RS 5 Avant and Saloon going on sale in the coming weeks. Both models will be built at Audi's Neckarsulm plant in Germany, with deliveries expected to commence this summer. The new RS5 starts from £90,220 for the Saloon, with the Avant coming in at £92,120 – a figure that's likely to rise to £100,000 with the Audi Sport package, placing the duo in direct competition with the G80 and G81 BMW M3.