Audi Sport has fortified its time-honoured RS formula with the brand’s latest electrified powertrain technologies in the all-new RS 5 Saloon and Avant, its first ever plug-in hybrid RS models. Available to order in the UK from today priced from £89,400 (OTR) and £91,300 (OTR) respectively, the new top-tier models combine a 2.9-litre, 510PS twin-turbo V6 and a 130kW electric motor for breathtaking performance and the potential for an electric-only driving range of up to 52 miles. The first UK deliveries of the new RS 5 are scheduled for the summer. 

With their characteristic flared wheel arches, striking detailing and sizeable wheels the latest RS 5 models make no secret of their tremendous performance potential. At the front, the hallmark RS honeycomb Singleframe grille is linked by a dark mask to pronounced Air Curtains that streamline air flow, while vents in the wings add drama to the profile in conjunction with blisters in the shoulder line that pay homage to the iconic Audi Ur quattro. Below the tailgate with its neatly integrated spoiler, the trademark big-bore RS oval tailpipes are centrally positioned within a diffuser featuring aerodynamically optimised vertical fins and a motorsport-inspired red reflector.

“As the first high‑performance plug‑in hybrid, the RS 5 marks the beginning of a new era for the Audi Sport brand,” said Audi UK Director, José Miguel Aparicio. “For decades, Vorsprung durch Technik has been demonstrated through the continued innovation of our RS models, driven by a singular focus: delivering the ultimate performance car for our customers. With the introduction of plug‑in hybrid technology to the RS line‑up, Audi Sport is taking usability, performance and excitement to an entirely new level.”

In the UK, the RS 5 Saloon and Avant models will be available with a choice of three specification options: RS 5, RS 5 Carbon Black and RS 5 performance Vorsprung.

At the entry point to the range, the RS 5 models ride on 20-inch 6-twin-spoke alloy wheels finished in dark Galvano silver and feature a black styling package taking in elements including the spoiler, window trim, door mirror surrounds, door handle inserts, RS badges and Audi rings. The blades in the front bumper, inserts in the side skirts and rear diffuser are also finished in gloss black, as is the Saloon’s split-lip frontal spoiler. Darkened Matrix LED headlights incorporating driver-selectable active light signatures continue the theme, while at the rear the LED taillights are linked by a striking illuminated light strip.  

As part of the upgrade to Carbon Black specification, the RS 5 gains larger 21-inch alloy wheels in the 6-twin-spoke design in Neodymium grey matte, along with a high gloss carbon finish for the rear spoiler, mirror housings, front air intake blades and side skirts. In the RS 5 Saloon Carbon Black the lipped rear diffuser surround is also trimmed in high gloss carbon.

At the very top of the range, the RS 5 performance Vorsprung models make even greater impact thanks to exclusive RS performance bumpers incorporating further enlarged air intakes at the front and an even more distinctively styled rear diffuser, which houses matte black tailpipes. These not only differ visually from the dark chrome-plated pipes fitted elsewhere in the range but also produce an even more evocative RS sound as part of the top model’s RS sport exhaust system upgrade.

To complement the dark tailpipes the RS 5 performance Vorsprung’s 21-inch alloy wheels are finished in Phantom Black, and the overall look is also elevated further by the addition of special carbon camouflage trim for the spoiler, mirror housings, air intake blades, skirts and, in the case of the RS 5 Saloon performance Vorsprung, the rear diffuser surround.

The RS 5 performance Vorsprung models are also unique in the range in featuring an upgrade from LED to second-generation Digital OLED taillights offering selectable digital light signatures, including a chequered flag signature that is unique to the RS 5. They also incorporate an innovative communication light that can display integrated warning symbols to alert other road users to hazards.

Inside, just as much as out, the RS 5 driver is left in no doubt as to the top model’s exceptional calibre. The cabin’s sporting focal points are the exceptionally supportive sport seats plus with their massage and ventilation functions and honeycomb quilting, and the heated RS sport steering wheel with its flat top and bottom, motorsport-inspired 12 o'clock marker and integrated RS drive mode satellite controls. Interior accents with a Vanadium-effect finish and inlays in a black-painted aluminium Rhombus design help to accentuate the dynamic tone. The look is also softened by the extensive use of Fine Nappa leather, leatherette and sustainable, suede-effect Dinamica microfibre, much of which is further enhanced by contrast stitching.

In the RS 5 Carbon Black models the body’s carbon detailing is carried through into the cabin by carbon twill structure inlays, and the RS 5 performance Vorsprung variants follow suit, with inlays that mirror their carbon camouflage exterior trim. The seats in these top versions are also marked out by upholstery combining Dinamica microfibre in deep black with fine Nappa leather, and feature honeycomb stitching in serpentine green. The steering wheel is also trimmed in Dinamica deep black.

Technology also abounds as befits these pinnacle performance models. The curved, OLED Audi MMI Panorama display housing the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit and the 14.5-inch MMI Touch screen is the hub and is supplemented in all RS 5 models by a head-up display and a 10.9-inch passenger display.

Drivers can view real-time information about the interplay between the petrol engine and electric motor under acceleration and regenerative braking on the central MMI touch screen. The Audi virtual cockpit also features RS-specific dials providing detailed data such as engine revolutions, speed, G forces, lap times, temperatures and individual tyre pressures. It also houses a shift light for the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission.

A highlight for the keenest RS 5 drivers is the standard Audi driving experience function, which enables in-depth analysis of the driver's actions, particularly during circuit use. It can record data on accelerator and brake pedal use, oversteer and understeer and lateral, longitudinal, and overall acceleration. Lap and sector times can also be accurately logged by the system and compared across multiple runs.

The Audi driving experience function is configured to include track profiles for some of the world’s most famous race circuits, but it is just as effective on private racetracks, automatically creating new track profiles based on a recorded lap.

Whether on road or track, the breathtaking power and torque output of 639PS and 825Nm delivered jointly by the 2.9-litre V6 TFSI and 130kW motor enables the RS 5 Saloon and Avant models to rocket from 0-62mph in just 3.6 seconds. The driver can activate a boost function to enjoy maximum acceleration in ten-second phases, optimising overtaking capability. Where conditions allow, a top speed of 155mph is achievable in RS 5 and RS 5 Carbon Black versions, while RS 5 performance Vorsprung models feature an elevated 177mph top speed.

The phenomenal output is harnessed on challenging roads by bespoke RS sport suspension with twin-valve shock absorbers, underpinned by a completely new quattro drivetrain with rear electromechanical torque vectoring that represents a world first in series production. Capable of shifting torque between the wheels in milliseconds, the rear axle Dynamic Torque Control system works with a new centre differential with a preload function that ensures it always remain partially locked to further enhance agility and adjustability.

During braking and coasting, intelligent recuperation technology harvests energy for the upgraded battery, and when plugged in, the RS 5 can charge at up to 11kW, meaning the battery can be restored from 0% to 100% in as little as 2.5 hours.

Audi RS 5 Saloon and Avant UK Technical Data

UK standard equipment 

      Audi RS 5

        Comfort

• Audi convenience key and Audi digital key
• Luggage compartment lid with electric opening and closing
• Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror
• Split-folding rear seat bench with rear centre armrest
• Exterior mirrors electrically adjustable, folding, heated and dimming with projection light
• 3-zone climate control
  
  

Seats

• Sport seats plus, front with semi-integrated headrests
• Fine Nappa leather seats with honeycomb pattern (RS) and steel grey contrast stitching
• Electrically adjustable front seats with front lumbar support
• Heated memory seat on driver’s side
• Seat ventilation and massage function for front seats
  
  

Driving

• RS sports suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control
• Audi drive select
• RS steel brakes and black calipers with RS logo
• quattro sports plus differential
  
  

Infotainment

• 11.9” Audi virtual cockpit plus
• 14.5” MMI navigation plus
• Front passenger display
• Head up display
• Bang and Olufsen 3D sound system
• Phonebox light with wireless charging
• Audi application store and smartphone interface
• USB interfaces with higher charging capacity
• Audi Connect services (including Audi Assistant)
• Digital Audio Broadcast radio
  
  

Lighting

• Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators and animation
• Headlight washer system
• LED rear lights with dynamic indicators and animation
• Entry LED lights with RS projection front and rear
• Surround view camera
• Front and rear parking sensors with park assist plus
• Adaptive cruise control with adaptive cruise assist plus
• Camera-based traffic sign recognition
• Attention and drowsiness assist
• Lane departure warning
• Swerve and turn assist
• Front emergency brake assist with intersection assist
• Traffic sign-based speed limiter
  
  

Interior

• 3 spoke multifunction, flat top and bottom heated steering wheel with 12 o’clock marker
• Interior trims in vanadium look
• Decorative inlays, aluminium rhombus painted black
• Ambient lighting package plus with dynamic interaction light
• Upper and lower interior elements in leatherette with contrast stitching
• Softwrap in Dinamica with contrast stitching
  
  

Exterior

• 20" ‘5-spoke Y-style' design RS forged alloy wheels in dark silver with 285/35 R20 tyres
• Black roof rails (Avant only)
• Black styling pack plus including black exterior mirrors
• Dark chrome-plated tailpipe trims
• Black door handles
• RS front spoiler in black
• Privacy glass
  
  

Safety

• Tyre mobility system
• Wheel bolts with anti-theft protection
• First aid kit, warning triangle & 2 safety vests
• i-Size co-driver seat, i-Size & TOP-Tether for outer rear seats
• Airbags for driver and co-driver, with manual deactivation for co-driver airbag
• Anti-theft alarm system with interior surveillance
• Attention and drowsiness assist with driver monitoring system
• Proactive passenger protection system for front, sides and rear
• Lane change assistant, exit warning system, rear cross traffic assist and rear turn assist
• Lane departure warning with emergency assist
  
  

e-hybrid

• Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS)
• Mode 3 charging cable 22kW

Audi RS 5 Carbon Black (over Audi RS 5)

Interior

• Inlays in carbon twill structure
  
  

Exterior

• 21” ‘6-twin spoke’ design RS forged alloy wheels in grey matt with 285/30 R21 tyres
• RS front spoiler in carbon
• RS exterior components in carbon
• Exterior mirror housing in carbon

Audi RS 5 performance Vorsprung (over Audi RS 5 Carbon Black)

Seats

• Sport seats plus in dinamica deep black and fine Nappa leather combination with honeycomb stitching in serpentine green
• Inlays in carbon camouflage
• Seat heating for front and rear outer seats
• RS emblems with steering wheel rim in dinamica deep black
  
  

Infotainment

• Bang and Olufsen 3D Premium sound system with headrest speakers
  
  

Lighting

• OLED rear lights with dynamic light staging and dynamic turn signal
  
  

Exterior

• 21” ‘6-twin spoke’ design RS forged alloy wheels in phantom black with 285/30 R21 tyres
• RS front spoiler in carbon camouflage
• RS exterior components in carbon camouflage
• Exterior mirrors in carbon camouflage
• Panoramic sunroof with switchable transparency
• RS sport exhaust system with darkened tailpipes
• RS performance bumpers and mounted parts
  
  

Driving

• Top speed increase to 177 mph
• Direct tyre pressure monitoring system
  
  

Driver Assistance

• 3D and 360-degree surround view cameras
• Park assist pro with remote functionality