Audi’s outgoing A5 household consists of coupe, convertible, and liftback physique types, however a new A5 technology, revealed final 12 months and due this spring or summer time for the 2026 mannequin 12 months, solely options the liftback plus a brand new wagon physique type in most markets, whereas China additionally will get a new sedan physique type.
Excessive-performance RS 5 variations of each the liftback and wagon are deliberate, and a prototype for one in all them, the RS 5 Avant (Avant is Audi-speak for wagons), has been noticed once more, and this time now we have video of it testing on Germany’s Nürburgring racetrack. Prototypes for the liftback are additionally out testing.
The RS 5 Avant will change the present RS 4 Avant offered abroad as a part of a shift in Audi’s naming technique. The brand new technique, introduced in 2023, offers fashions with internal-combustion engines an odd quantity of their names and electrical fashions an excellent quantity. It means the subsequent A4 will probably be an electrical car.
We all know the newest prototype is for an RS 5 Avant and never the common A5 Avant due to the massive intakes within the entrance fascia, the large fenders housing a widened monitor, the massive cross-drilled brake rotors, and the signature RS oval exhaust suggestions.
The prototype additionally sports activities each a gas filler cap and a charging port, in accordance with our photographer, indicating a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Yellow warning stickers within the windscreen seen in a number of the photographs additionally point out some type of electrification.
The soundtrack within the newest video factors to a V-6 engine serving because the internal-combustion element of the hybrid setup, and rumors level to the engine being the identical twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 discovered within the present RS 5. The present RS 5 delivers 444 hp, however the subsequent one ought to have considerably extra energy to problem the 671 hp of the Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency, which can be a plug-in hybrid.
Search for the brand new RS 5 to debut late this 12 months, doubtless as a 2027 mannequin for the U.S. The liftback is sort of sure for this market, although the jury remains to be out on whether or not Audi will convey over the wagon. The common A5 wagon has already been dominated out for this market.
Audi at the moment sells the larger RS 6 Avant right here, although 2025 would be the automotive’s last 12 months. Each an electrical RS 6 Avant E-Tron and a plug-in hybrid RS 7 Avant will fill the hole, although it is not cleather whether or not each choices will probably be provided within the U.S.
