2027 Audi RS5 - Saloon & Avant

Underneath, both the RS5 Saloon and RS5 Avant share the same modular electrified RS drivetrain, heavily revised chassis and an all-new quattro system featuring Dynamic Torque Control and electro-mechanical torque vectoring.

The difference lies in character. The RS5 Saloon offers a sleeker silhouette with a practical liftback-style boot opening that improves usability despite its coupe-inspired design. The RS5 Avant delivers maximum practicality and visual drama, remaining the definitive performance estate for UK buyers who want space without sacrificing theatre.

Kerb weight stands at 2,355 kg for the Saloon and 2,370 kg for the Avant. While those figures reflect the hybrid hardware, the power and torque outputs are engineered to make the mass feel secondary the moment the drivetrain is deployed.

At the heart of the 2027 Audi RS5 is a new plug-in hybrid system pairing an upgraded 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 with a 130 kW electric motor integrated into an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox.

The V6 produces 510 PS and 600 Nm, while the electric motor contributes 177 PS and 460 Nm. Combined system output reaches up to 639 PS and 825 Nm. The result is 0–62 mph in just 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph when fitted with the optional Audi Sport package.

Crucially, the electric motor is tuned not just for efficiency but for immediacy. Instant torque fills any gaps in the power curve, sharpening throttle response and delivering the aggressive, urgent character expected of an RS model.

A defining feature of the new RS5 is its boost function. Press the boost button and the car delivers maximum acceleration for ten seconds, while the gearbox selects the optimal ratio for instant thrust. A countdown timer appears in the driver display, reinforcing the drama.

Boost is available in any drive select mode, including EV driving. Even when running electrically, pressing boost instantly fires up the V6, opening the exhaust valves and delivering full RS sound and performance on demand. It is this seamless blending of quiet electric usability and explosive petrol power that defines the new RS philosophy.

The RS5 uses a 400-volt battery system mounted beneath the boot floor, offering 25.9 kWh gross capacity and 22 kWh net. Charging is handled via 11 kW three-phase AC, with a quoted 0–100 percent time of approximately 2.5 hours.

For UK owners, this means genuine everyday EV capability for shorter journeys, while still retaining full performance potential. The hybrid system is clearly designed to integrate into real-world routines rather than compromise them.

Unlike conventional plug-in hybrids, the 2027 Audi RS5 actively manages battery charge to maintain performance readiness. In RS sport and RS torque rear modes, the system holds state of charge at around 90 percent to ensure maximum electric support is always available. The battery is actively cooled to 20°C during hard driving to maintain consistent output.

In dynamic mode, charge is prevented from dropping below 20 percent to preserve boost capability. The battery also powers the permanent-magnet motor within the torque vectoring unit, meaning charge levels directly influence handling performance as well as straight-line acceleration.

The headline engineering story is the new quattro system with Dynamic Torque Control and what Audi describes as the world’s first electro-mechanical torque vectoring system in a production car.

A water-cooled permanent-magnet motor works with overdrive gears and a conventional differential to distribute torque across the rear axle with extreme speed and precision. The control unit recalculates torque distribution every five milliseconds and can generate torque differences of up to 2,000 Nm within 15 milliseconds.

On the road, this translates to sharper turn-in, improved traction in a straight line, and greater rotation on corner exit. The system works under throttle, off throttle and even under braking, giving the RS5 a level of adaptability beyond traditional mechanical setups.

The RS5 sits on a reinforced structure that is ten percent stiffer than the base model, paired with five-link suspension front and rear. Twin-valve RS sport dampers independently control compression and rebound, allowing a broad bandwidth between daily comfort and track-ready control.

RS-tuned steering features a 13:1 ratio for direct response. Standard steel brakes measure 420 mm at the front and 400 mm at the rear, while optional ceramic discs increase to 440 mm and 410 mm respectively. Audi quotes a 62–0 mph stopping distance of 30.6 metres with ceramic brakes fitted.

Forged 21-inch wheels are available, with wider rear fitment to maximise lateral grip and support the RS5’s rear-biased handling character.

The RS5 offers EV and Hybrid driving modes, with adjustable regenerative braking controlled via steering wheel paddles. Hybrid mode allows drivers to manually set their desired battery state of charge, preserving electric range for later use.

Audi drive select includes comfort, balanced and dynamic, alongside RS-specific modes. RS sport prioritises maximum propulsion and lateral stability, while RS torque rear enables a pronounced rear bias and controlled oversteer on closed courses. It is clear Audi intends this car to be both technically advanced and genuinely entertaining.

Visually, the 2027 Audi RS5 makes its intent clear. The body sits approximately 90 mm wider than the standard A5, with flared arches and aggressive wheel cutouts referencing the original Ur-quattro.

A honeycomb Singleframe grille, darkened Matrix LED headlights with checkered-flag DRL signatures, a sculpted diffuser and oval RS exhaust tips complete the look. At the rear, second-generation digital OLED lights incorporate communication functions to enhance safety.

Inside, the RS5 features an 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit, a 14.5-inch MMI touch display and a 10.9-inch passenger screen as standard. RS-specific displays include shift lights, G-force data and tyre metrics, while the head-up display can project launch control guidance and performance information.

Audi’s driving analysis function adds lap timing, sector breakdowns, drift angle statistics and automatic track recognition. An optional integrated dashcam enables video recording for performance sessions.

The 2027 Audi RS5 Saloon and RS5 Avant are not mild updates. They represent Audi Sport redefining what an RS car can be in the electrified era.

With up to 639 PS, 825 Nm, 0–62 mph in 3.6 seconds and a revolutionary quattro system with Dynamic Torque Control, the RS5 blends plug-in hybrid efficiency with uncompromised performance engineering.

From £90,220 in the UK, buyers can choose between the sleeker RS5 Saloon with its practical liftback design or the iconic RS5 Avant, arguably the ultimate fast estate for British roads.

Either way, Audi Sport is sending a clear message: electrification is not the end of RS performance — it is the beginning of its next chapter.