Watch Out, M3 Touring: the 630bhp, *2.3-Tonne* Audi Rs5 Is Here, and IT’s Now a V6 Hybrid

The Audi RS5: A Hybrid of Power and Weight

First Look Watch out, M3 Touring: the 630bhp, *2.3-tonne* Audi RS5 is here, and it’s now a V6 hybrid.

Audi plugs electricity into an RS wagon for the first time. Looks… angry Vijay Pattni Published: 19 Feb 2026

Anger on Wheels

Audi’s RS cars have always looked angry about something or other, so it’s hard to tell whether this new RS5 is upset that it’s suddenly put on so much weight, that it has to entertain flailing mortal hands, or that it’s partly powered by electricity. Because, yes folks, it’s happened: Audi Sport has fitted its first ever plug-in hybrid system inside an RS car.

Power and Porkiness

The result is a supremely vexed 630bhp performance wagon. Watch out, BMW M3 Touring, the original fast estate has returned for an almighty scrap. – Page continues below

Audi quotes 2,355kg for the saloon, and 2,370kg for the wagon. A significant increase over the previous gen (1,790kg), and significantly porkier than that pesky M3 (1,865kg). Needs a healthy engine to power that much bulk along, and luckily there is one.

Electrifying Performance

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In any rational, sane universe, that’d be enough. But we don’t live there, we live here.

So in comes a boatload of hybrid tech to make up the rest of that bonkers total and bonkers weight figure. There’s a 130kW electric motor paired not only with the V6, but a 25.9kWh battery mounted underneath the boot floor, a 400V system, an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox said to be faster than before (thanks to reduced ‘resistance of heavy rotating components’), a limited-slip centre diff, and of course, quattro AWD.

Speeding Up

Audi claims 0-62mph in 3.6s, a top speed of 177mph (if you’ve optioned the Sport pack) and an electric-only range of up to 52 miles (or 54 in the city). Indeed, when in EV-only mode – in an RS! – Audi reckons the motor “ensures the RS5 feels like an RS-model”. Skip 20 photos in the image carousel and continue reading

Advanced Technology

The sophisticated technical interplay between combustion engine and electric power brings performance and efficiency together in a new way at Audi. Customers can experience both peak sportiness and every-day comfort.

Audi’s big boss Gernot Döllner said, “The sophisticated technical interplay between combustion engine and electric power brings performance and efficiency together in a new way at Audi.” Customers who have a fair bit of cash to hand. UK prices haven’t yet been announced, but it’ll go on sale in Germany at a cost of €106,200 for the saloon, and €107,850 for the Avant.

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