Audi Accidentally Confirmed The New RS5’s Powertrain Before Teasing It
A brief slip by Audi may have revealed key details about the next RS5, hinting at major changes beneath the surface
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by Brad Anderson
A LinkedIn post revealed RS5 PHEV ahead of official debut.
It could uses updated 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 from RS4.
Hybrid setup could boost power but add weight to new RS5.
Update: Alongside confirming the plug-in hybrid powertrain, Audi has dropped the first teaser photo of the RS5 in Avant form and announced that the full debut is set for later this month.
The next-generation Audi RS5 is shaping up to be a major departure from what came before, debuting with a complex new plug-in hybrid powertrain. For Audi Sport, this marks a turning point, as it brings electrification to one of its core high-performance models for the very first time.
Although speculation around a hybrid RS5 has been circulating for some time, official confirmation only surfaced recently, thanks to an unintentional leak from Audi itself.
Read: New Audi RS5 Flexes Massive Exhausts And A Plug In Power Surge
Late last week, Audi briefly posted an announcement on LinkedIn about the new model, only to delete it shortly afterward. But not before Carbuzz grabbed a screenshot. In the story, the automaker revealed that “The new Audi RS 5 is also nearing its debut and will be our first performance plug-in hybrid.”
Audi hasn’t yet disclosed full technical specs for the RS5’s hybrid system, but the move toward a plug-in layout makes sense, especially considering that the recently updated S5 already runs a mild-hybrid setup.
Read: The New BMW M5 Is Heavier Than Many F-150 Pickup Trucks
Electrification won’t just help the RS5 keep up with emissions targets under the Euro 7 standards, it will likely give it a welcome boost in performance and allow for a decent electric-only range. That said, it could come at a cost. BMW’s M5 PHEV, for instance, weighs in at 5,390 pounds (2,445 kg), making it 1,020 pounds (463 kg) heavier than the model it replaced.
In any case, Audi’s engineers will have to work their magic to ensure the car retains a similarly neutral handling balance to the updated S5.
What’s Under the Hood?
Whereas the Audi S5 uses a 3.0-liter V6 with a single turbocharger, some sources suggest the RS5 will use an updated version of the 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 from the previous Audi RS4. As standard, this engine delivers a respectable 444 hp, but the addition of an electric motor would give the RS5 way more grunt.
SHProshots
Should Audi decide to stretch its ambitions, the RS5 might even chase the likes of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 E Performance in terms of power. That car uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid making 671 hp and 752 lb-ft (1,018 Nm) of torque. Even so, AMG is planning to phase out that setup, replacing the four-cylinder with a straight-six in the next C63.
Beyond the drivetrain, spy shots reveal that the RS5 will wear its performance credentials up front. Expect aggressively sculpted bumpers, flared arches, and a fresh take on Audi’s signature oval tailpipes. It won’t be subtle, and it’s not supposed to be.
