FYI: Audi is revamping its A5 lineup with new liftback and wagon body styles, debuting high-performance RS 5 models equipped with cutting-edge hybrid technology.
Audi is ushering in a new era for its A5 series, transforming its lineup to include only liftback and wagon variants. Enthusiasts will be excited to learn that the high-performance RS 5 versions are on their way, with the RS 5 Avant—a dynamic wagon model—having been recently spotted at the iconic Nürburgring racetrack in Germany.
Audi’s Strategic Model Revisions
In a strategic move, Audi is streamlining its naming conventions. Vehicles with internal combustion engines will now carry odd numbers, while electric models will bear even numbers. This is why the upcoming A4 will be fully electric, and the current RS 4 Avant will make way for the RS 5 Avant in Audi’s portfolio.
Distinctive Design and Performance Features
Evidence points to this prototype being the upcoming RS 5 Avant as it boasts distinctive RS characteristics:
- Enlarged intake openings on the front fascia
- Wider fenders to accommodate a broader track
- Massive cross-drilled brake discs
- Unique RS oval exhaust tips, though these currently appear as temporary placements
Perhaps most intriguing is the presence of both a fuel cap and a charging port, hinting at a robust plug-in hybrid powertrain. A yellow sticker warning of electric shock further underscores this hybrid setup.
Powertrain Specifications
Audi is likely incorporating a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 engine, a stalwart of the current RS 5, paired within a hybrid framework. While the current engine delivers 444 horsepower, Audi is expected to bolster the next iteration to compete with the formidable 671 horsepower Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 SE Performance, which also embraces plug-in hybrid technology.
Market Release and Future Plans
Look forward to the debut of the new RS 5 early next year. In the U.S., the liftback model is highly anticipated, though it’s still uncertain if the wagon variant will reach American shores. Currently, the standard A5 wagon is absent from this market. Meanwhile, the larger RS 6 Avant is in its sunset phase, with 2025 being its probable final year. Audi aims to fill this void with the electric RS 6 Avant E-Tron and the plug-in hybrid RS 7 Avant, though their availability in the U.S. remains uncertain.
Conclusion
With the latest developments in Audi’s lineup, automotive aficionados have much to look forward to with the impending RS 5 models—a fusion of performance prowess and modern hybrid efficiency. We anticipate further updates early next year and are eager to see how these innovations unfold in both domestic and international markets.
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Authored by Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
