Audi rs 5 goes electric: a bold move after amg's setback
The Audi RS 5 has arrived, and it's not just another iteration of the sporty sedan. It’s the brand’s first-ever plug-in hybrid for its performance division, a decision driven by a desire to avoid the pitfalls of a rival’s approach.
Audi bets on v6 power, electric range
The new RS 5 boasts a potent 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 engine paired with a 130 kW (177 hp) electric motor, delivering a combined output of 639 hp and 825 Nm of torque. This allows the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a blistering 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 285 km/h. Importantly, Audi consciously rejected a four-cylinder option, a move directly inspired by Mercedes-AMG’s recent misstep with the C 63 S E Performance.
Mercedes-AMG’s hybrid, while delivering 680 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque, offers a meager 11 kilometers of electric-only range. Audi’s commitment to a significantly longer electric range – up to 84 kilometers – was a key factor in their design. Steffen Bamberger, Audi’s head of research and development, stated that a 10-kilometer range simply wasn't a viable option, given the added weight of the hybrid system.
That weight is significant: the RS 5 Avant tips the scales at over 2.4 tons. This heft impacts agility. Audi apparently considered a plug-in hybrid but quickly abandoned the idea, opting instead for a fully electric powertrain to achieve the desired efficiency and performance. The car’s official combined fuel consumption is 3.8 l/100 km, and emissions are a mere 84 g/km, earning it a Cero Emisiones environmental badge in Spain.
The price? A cool €125,000 (or €127,000 for the Avant), placing it firmly in the luxury performance category. This contrasts with the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance, starting at €155,462, a price point that has drawn considerable criticism. The German marque is reportedly re-evaluating the C 63 S’s engine configuration, with a move towards a traditional inline-six now under consideration.
Audi’s decision to stick with the V6 is a calculated one. They learned from a competitor’s mistake. The RS 5 isn’t just fast; it's a statement about the future of high-performance vehicles. And it’s a future Audi is aggressively shaping.