Summary
- Audi is developing a high-performance RS5 sedan variant to join the A5 and S5 lineup soon.
- The new RS5 may feature a twin-turbo V6 engine and potential plug-in hybrid technology.
- Audi’s RS models continue the brand’s history of setting benchmarks in the high-performance luxury car market.
Audi is apparently researching and developing a hot and high-performance RS5 sedan variant in lieu of the launch of the A4- and S4-replacing A5 and S5 lineup. The hint comes from one of our esteemed spy photographers, who caught a sedan test mule running around during some hot weather testing, all dressed up in the usual camouflage. However, this isn’t any ordinary A5 or S5 under development as our photographer noted some fairly obvious differences.
It wasn’t too long ago that some other spy shots surfaced of a wagon-based version driving about. The Ingolstadt-based luxury automaker is one of the few left manufacturing wagons, albeit, high-performance ones, so it’s not the least bit surprising that spy shots of an RS 5 Avant test mule on the Nürburgring surfaced. Now however, it appears that Audi is still keen on producing a standard four-door version as well.
The Mercedes-AMG C 63 And BMW M3 Will Soon Meet Their Match Once Again
The German compact high-performance luxury trifecta has been a thing since BMW and Mercedes-AMG went at it in the 1980s during the legendary Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters leagues domestically in Germany. While it started with the W201 190E 2.3-16v for Mercedes and the M3 for BMW, Audi began with the S2 Coupe in 1990, following a strong and storied history of participating and winning in the FIA World Rally Championship and the establishment of Quattro GmbH, which is now Audi’s in-house performance division, Audi Sport.
The battle continues on nearly 40 years later with Audi also participating in the game with some of its hot RS models, a tradition for the brand since the company began homologating those vehicles for various motorsports competitions around the same time. Several decades and generations later, Audi’s RS models are clearly alive and well, setting the stage as one of the company’s many halo performance vehicles that set the benchmark for the brand. Previous iterations include the older versions of the RS 2, RS 3, RS 4, RS 5, RS 6, and even the RS 7.
Not much is known about the new and incoming RS5. But speculation suggests that a twin-turbo V-6 may be in the works with the potential for some plug-in hybrid running gear. This is in contrast to the Mercedes-AMG C 63’s Formula 1-bred, yet, downsized high-performance turbocharged four-cylinder with plug-in hybrid electric assist, a huge contrast to the previous C 63, which sported a thundering gas-only 4.0-liter bi-turbo V-8, or a detuned version of the AMG GT’s eight-cylinder.
Such speculation wouldn’t be too far-fetched as the Mercedes-AMG C 63 already sports a high-performance plug-in hybrid powertrain and BMW just launched a similar system on its hot, new M5 sedan and wagon. While a new M3 and M4 aren’t here just yet, predictions for a similar plug-in hybrid powertrain are strong for the next-gen models, which are expected to arrive in the near future.
Additionally, our spy photographer pointed out the presence of a charge port on the rear-left fender, which wouldn’t be mistaken for a gas filler cap, as Germans tend to place their filler caps on the right side of their vehicles. Other observations noted include a more aggressive front-end, and flared and widened wheel arches, probably to accommodate a wider axle track and insanely fat tires and wheels. The rear lower fascia, according to our photographer, looks a bit incomplete, though it’ll likely be as aggressive as the front lower fascia once this new and supposed RS 5 sedan hits production.
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