The Audi RS 5 Avant has returned to the Nurburgring looking all fast between the apexes, and this time, we have more than static shots, as the four-ring brand's upcoming premium compact sporty station wagon has been scooped on video.
But what exactly is an RS 5 Avant? Why, the successor to the current RS 4 Avant, which has switched to an odd number due to Audi's new naming scheme. Odd numbers will be used on ICE-powered rides, whereas EVs will have even numbers attached to their names.
Word on the street is that this model utilizes a V6 motor with electric assistance. The magic numbers are yet unknown, but it should be punchier than its predecessor, whose 2.9L twin-turbo V6 produces 444 hp (450 ps/331 kW) and 443 pound-foot (600 Nm) of torque. It has a top speed of 155 mph (250 kph) or 174 mph (280 kph) with the Dynamic Pack installed and does 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) in 4.1 seconds.
While some of its premium compact sports wagon class rivals feature regular designs with a few tweaks at both ends compared to their regular siblings, the upcoming Audi RS 5 Avant has gone down the more aggressive path. As a result, it has swollen fenders with vents behind the front wheels, sporty side skirts, bigger front and rear bumpers, dual oval tailpipes, a chunkier diffuser, larger wheels wrapped in sticky tires, and the usual RS emblems.
Photo: Screenshot Youtube | CarSpyMedia
To cope with all that power, Audi has also given it an uprated braking system that's superior to that of the regular next-gen A5 Avant. Moreover, the RS 5 Avant will sit closer to the asphalt and have a stiffer suspension setup to corner faster. Look for a pair of inside bucket seats, exclusive upholstery, and trim, a special steering wheel, certain RS-branded elements, including the door sills, and some tweaks to the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster.
As you already know, Audi does not offer the current RS 4 Avant in our market, so it is likely that the next RS 5 Avant won't cross the Atlantic Ocean either. However, certain outlets believe that the automaker is planning to change that, so who knows, maybe the RS 5 Avant might eventually make its way to the United States, perhaps as a 2026 model, though we wouldn't hold our breath for it.
Audi Sport is asking a minimum of €87,500 (equal to $94,120) for the current RS 4 Avant in its homeland of Germany, so it is likely that the next Audi RS 5 Avant will become a bit pricier. Chances are it will come close or perhaps exceed the €90,000 ($96,800) mark, and that is before dealer fees and options.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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