Audi’s performance division is stepping into a new chapter, and this time it hums before it howls. The brand’s PR wing has officially confirmed that a new plug-in hybrid RS model is coming to the United States this year, signaling a significant shift in the future of Audi performance cars. At the center of that transformation is the next-generation Audi RS 5, Audi’s first-ever plug-in hybrid RS vehicle.
For anyone tracking Audi news, Audi hybrid performance models, or the future of the Audi RS lineup, this is a pivotal moment. Electrification is no longer experimental within Audi Sport.
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Audi RS 5 Plug-In Hybrid: Performance Specs and Powertrain Details
The all-new 2027 Audi RS 5 plug-in hybrid pairs a revised 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with a 130 kW (174 hp) electric motor integrated into an eight-speed automatic transmission. Globally, the combined output is rated at a whopping 630 horsepower and 608 pound-feet of torque. That places the new RS 5 squarely in super-sedan territory.
Audi claims a 0–100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds. While U.S.-spec 0–60 mph figures and EPA ratings have not yet been released, expectations are clear: this will be one of the quickest Audi sedans ever sold in America.
The hybrid system is backed by a 25.9-kWh battery pack, delivering up to 84 kilometers of all-electric range under WLTP testing. In urban driving, the range may be even higher. That means this Audi plug-in hybrid sports sedan can function as a near-silent commuter on the way to work and a 600-plus-horsepower rocket when it’s time to get off.
Charging capability is rated at up to 11 kW via AC, with a full recharge taking approximately 2.5 hours under optimal conditions. Audi has not yet confirmed U.S. charging specs, but similar performance is expected.
Quattro With Dynamic Torque Control: The Future Of Audi Performance
Power is only part of the story. The 2027 Audi RS 5 introduces what Audi calls “quattro with Dynamic Torque Control,” described as a world-first system in a production vehicle. The setup features electro-mechanical torque vectoring at the rear axle via a newly developed rear transaxle.
In practical terms, that means torque can be actively distributed between the rear wheels in milliseconds, sharpening cornering response and improving traction. A revised center differential with preload further enhances stability and balance.
Chassis updates support the added power. The RS 5 receives RS-specific suspension tuning and twin-valve dampers engineered to bridge daily comfort with track-ready control. Massive brakes come standard, while optional carbon ceramic brakes reduce weight by roughly 30 kilograms and improve fade resistance during aggressive driving.
The body itself is roughly four centimeters wider than the standard A5, emphasizing both the appearance of a more aggressive stance and, in theory, stability. Flared fenders, a honeycomb single frame grille, large air intakes, and an aggressive rear diffuser visually separate the RS 5 from lesser Audi models.
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Inside, Audi blends performance and technology with a curved OLED display housing an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen. A passenger display is standard, and RS-specific graphics showcase performance data including lap timers and drivetrain information. An available head-up display can even present shift lights and launch data.
Production of the new RS 5 takes place in Neckarsulm, Germany, with European deliveries beginning in summer 2026. Audi has confirmed to TopSpeed that the RS 5 will come to the U.S. market later this year, though pricing and final specifications will be announced closer to launch. For the European market, the RS 5 will start at €106,200, which is about $125,000 at current conversion rates.
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TopSpeed’s Take
For those following Audi RS models, Audi hybrid cars, or the broader evolution of German performance sedans, the takeaway is decisive. Audi Sport is not abandoning combustion. Like many other carmakers right now, it’s amplifying it with electricity. The result is a performance machine that can glide quietly through traffic one moment and boogie down a back road the next. The future of Audi performance has arrived, and it plugs in.