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Audi Defends Heavier RS5 Plug-In Hybrid With New Torque-Vectoring Tech

Audi says new torque-vectoring tech counteracts the plug-in RS5’s added weight.

Overview

  • The RS5 pairs a revised 2.9‑liter V6 (510 PS) with a 130 kW electric motor for 639 PS and 825 Nm, delivering 0–100 km/h in 3.6 seconds.
  • The rear-axle Dynamic Torque Control can shift up to 2,000 Nm between wheels in about 15 milliseconds, which Audi claims preserves agility.
  • Audi Sport chief Rolf Michl acknowledges the PHEV mass but says the car feels “agile and light‑footed,” citing chassis tuning and electromechanical vectoring.
  • The 22.0 kWh battery targets over 80 km of electric range (up to 86 km in city use) and can charge fully in roughly 2.5 hours at 11 kW.
  • Kerb weight rises to about 2,370 kg—roughly 550 kg over the predecessor—while orders open in Q1 2026 with prices from €106,200 (saloon) and €107,850 (Avant) ahead of a summer 2026 launch.