Audi Unveils 2026 RS 5 Plug-In Hybrid

Audi has unveiled the 2026 RS 5, its first high-performance plug-in hybrid model under the RS badge, available as a sedan and Avant wagon. The vehicle, which replaces the RS 4, combines a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine with an electric motor to deliver 630 horsepower and 608 pound-feet of torque, enabling acceleration from zero to 62 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 177 miles per hour. Officials from the Ingolstadt-based automaker revealed the specifications ahead of a European market launch this summer.

The RS 5's powertrain pairs the gasoline engine, producing 503 horsepower on its own, with a 174-horsepower electric motor integrated into the eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. This setup sends power to all four wheels through an updated quattro all-wheel-drive system featuring rear-axle torque vectoring. A dedicated RS torque rear mode allows for controlled oversteer on non-public roads, distributing up to 85 percent of torque to the rear axle as needed. The system includes a 25.9-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing an electric-only range of up to 52 miles in urban conditions. Charging occurs via 11-kilowatt AC power, taking about two and a...