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Audi Reinvents RS5 as 630‑hp Plug‑In Hybrid With Electromechanical Rear Diff

The new RS5 pairs a 2.9‑liter twin‑turbo V6 with a 22 kWh battery and a fast‑acting 'Dynamic Torque Control' rear transaxle to deliver long electric range and trackable performance while Audi prepares a U.S. launch in 2027.

Overview

  • Independent first‑drive reports confirm the combined output is about 630 hp and 609 lb‑ft from a new 2.9L twin‑turbo V6 mated to a rear electric motor.
  • A roughly 22 kWh net battery under the cargo floor gives about 50 miles (≈80 km) of electric‑only range and accepts up to 11 kW AC charging but does not offer DC fast charging.
  • Audi Sport’s new Dynamic Torque Control uses an 8 kW electric motor and planetary gears to move torque across the rear axle in milliseconds, replacing traditional hydraulic clutch packs.
  • The plug‑in setup makes the RS5 heavy at about 5,180–5,192 lb, yet reviewers say suspension and software largely hide that mass and deliver a stable street feel and a playful, oversteer‑capable character in sport modes.
  • Testers found a reproducible roughly two‑second manual upshift lag in the ZF eight‑speed transmission that Audi Sport engineers acknowledge as a tuning shortcoming, and Audi USA says the model will reach U.S. showrooms in 2027 with final specs and pricing pending.