2027 Audi RS 5 is Germany’s Newest Dream-Worthy Sports Car

Germany is home to a ton of expertly engineered and beautifully designed performance cars. The battle between Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche is simply fascinating to watch. However, with increasingly stringent fuel consumption and emissions standards in Europe, as well as greater emphasis on electrification, we are seeing some surprising new developments.

One of the latest and most compelling examples is the 2027 Audi RS 5. Following in BMW’s footsteps with the M5, the four-ring brand has transformed its sporty four-door compact into a plug-in hybrid powerhouse—the kind we should refer to using a capital “P.”

By pairing the classic twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission, Audi engineers have cranked the RS 5 up to 630 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque—thoroughly out-muscling the previous generation (444 horsepower, 443 lb-ft). The unfortunate consequence is the weight: the car now tips the scales at a whopping 2,355 kg. As a result, it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, barely three tenths of a second faster than before.

Of course, we must not forget the other half of the equation. With its 25.9kWh high-voltage battery, the new Audi RS 5 can travel up to 80 km without burning a single drop of gasoline, at least according to the WLTP test cycle used in Europe. In Canada, that should translate to a range of around 60 km. Not bad at all.

If you’re worried about how all that weight will affect handling and cornering agility, it’s reassuring to know that the quattro all-wheel drive system features a unique rear differential. In addition to the torque from the gasoline engine and electric motor, a second electric motor is directly coupled to the rear differential, enabling active torque vectoring. And since the system activates in just 15 milliseconds, response is virtually instantaneous.

Too Bad We Won’t Get the Wagon…

What about the looks? This stunning new RS 5 stands out with a wider body and muscular fenders (featuring air vents behind the front ones), headlights and taillights sporting a checkered flag motif, plus a contrasting, full-width rear diffuser housing gigantic exhaust tips. The sleek 20- or 21-inch wheels and matte carbon fibre inserts certainly enhance the overall appearance.

Unfortunately, the wagon variant (RS 5 Avant) offered in several global markets will not be coming to Canada, Audi has confirmed. That’s a shame because it looks gorgeous in addition to maximizing cargo space to the point of giving some compact SUVs a run for their money. The company used to offer the RS 6 Avant, which makes it tougher to swallow.

As for the interior, the dashboard comes standard with three displays, including one facing the passenger. The sport steering wheel is naturally unique to this model, as are the firm, generously bolstered seats that keep the body in check.

While we wait for the 2027 Audi RS 5 to land on our shores and learning its Canadian price (which should be around $100,000), it doesn’t cost a thing to keep dreaming. For the more down-to-earth among us, there’s the 268-horsepower A5 at $61,150 or the 362-horsepower S5 at $73,150.