And we go to meet it
When it comes to high-performance motoring, change is often met with skepticism. We’ve seen it before, the shift from naturally aspirated engines to turbochargers, and the move from V8s to V6s. Each time, the purists hold their breath, waiting for the magic to disappear. But Audi Sport has a knack for proving that evolution isn’t just necessary, it’s exhilarating.
Enter the all-new Audi RS5 Avant. This is a groundbreaking, brand-shaping moment for Audi. As the first high-performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) to wear the RS badge, it signals a definitive shift in how we think about speed, power, and the future of the performance car.
Why Bob Dylan?
If you’ve seen the new TVC campaign, you might have scratched your head at the soundtrack. Why is a modern, high-performance machine being promoted with the music of ‘old-timer’ Bob Dylan?
The answer lies in the philosophy of disruption. In his prime, Dylan was the ultimate rule-breaker. He famously took his Acoustic 6-string to a folk concert and then plugged in an electric guitar, shocking the purists of the era. Many didn’t want it, and many didn’t like it, but it fundamentally reshaped the landscape of music forever.
Audi is drawing a direct parallel here. For generations, the RS brand has been defined by the roar of internal combustion. Transitioning to a plug-in hybrid is Audi’s “electric guitar moment.” Just as Dylan’s shift was initially met with backlash before being recognised as a stroke of genius, Audi is betting that the RS5’s electrified performance will redefine the segment. It’s not about abandoning the past; it’s about electrifying history to create a faster, more responsive future.
The “Brand Shaper”
For Audi globally, the RS5 is a massive statement. It solidifies the brand’s intent to electrify its performance lineup without compromising on the “RS” DNA. But for us here in New Zealand, this car is monumental.
New Zealand holds a unique title in the automotive world, per capita, we sell more RS product than any other country on the planet. It’s a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed at the factory in Germany. This status as the number one RS market in the world has its perks, like getting a pre-production, left-hand-drive model on the ground in New Zealand before European markets have even started taking customer deliveries. Us Kiwis have a passion for performance, and the RS5 is set to keep that momentum roaring.
Performance – Beyond the Numbers
Traditionally, when we talk about hybrids, the conversation is dominated by two things, fuel economy and EV-only range. While the RS5 does offer a respectable 80 kilometres of electric-only range, that’s not the headline here. The conversation has shifted to performance.
The RS5 uses electrification to solve one of the oldest performance problems in the book, (no not that one) turbo lag. In the past, forcing air into an engine to create power always came with a slight delay. Technology mitigated it, but it was never truly gone. Now, with the electric motor providing instant torque from a standstill, that lag is effectively erased. The result is a car that jumps off the line with a ferocity that feels almost supernatural.
Under the hood, the numbers are staggering: 470 kilowatts of power and 825 Newton-meters of torque. It hits 100 km/h in roughly 3.6 to 3.7 seconds. To put that in perspective, those are figures that, not long ago, were reserved for the likes of a Lamborghini Gallardo. Now, you can get that supercar performance in a five-seater family station wagon, complete with room for the dog and bikes on the roof.
Engineering the Impossible
One of the biggest concerns with any hybrid is weight. Batteries are heavy, and heavy cars usually struggle to be dynamic. However, the RS5 is engineered to defy its mass.
The car is built on Audi’s new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) architecture, a dedicated electrified platform. While the car is undeniably heavy, it apparently doesn’t drive like a heavy car. The weight is kept low to ensure a centre of gravity that hugs the road. Furthermore, the car features a sophisticated torque-vectoring system on the rear differential. It can shift up to 85% of the power to the outside rear wheel, helping the car rotate through corners with the agility of a much smaller vehicle.
In the right controlled environment, this car isn’t just fast; it’s playful. With multiple RS dynamic modes, you can alter the vehicle’s behavior, allowing you to throw it sideways and hold a drift, a party trick that feels almost wrong in a practical family wagon, but feels absolutely right in an RS.
Design – Unmistakably RS
Visually, the RS5 Avant is a head-turner. It’s unmistakably an Audi RS, but with a new, more sophisticated edge. It’s not as aggressive as the RS6, but it has a stance that screams performance even when standing still.
The rear end is a massive eight centimetres wider than the S5, and nine centimetres wider than the previous generation RS4. This gives it a planted, muscular look. The front end features an elongated bonnet and lowered Audi rings, a nod to the RS5 DTM cars of the early 2000s. It looks lower, wider, and more purposeful.
Inside, the cabin is a masterclass in modern tech. The new E3 architecture brings a floating dash that wraps around the driver, angling the interface so everything is within arm’s reach. There’s even a dedicated passenger screen, ensuring the co-pilot is just as connected as the driver. It is, without a doubt, the most advanced driver interface Audi has ever put on the market.
The Kiwi Connection – Avant vs. Sedan
In New Zealand, the love affair with the “Avant” (wagon) body style is legendary. Historically, 60% to 70% of our orders skew toward the wagon. It’s the ultimate Kiwi performance vehicle, practical enough for the weekend, fast enough for the track.
However, Audi sees a massive opportunity to “bring back the sedan” with this generation. While the Avant remains the volume leader, the new sedan is turning heads and attracting buyers who want that classic three-box silhouette with the new electrified punch.
Demand is already through the roof. With initial allocations nearly 60% sold before the car has even hit the showroom floor, it’s clear that Kiwi enthusiasts aren’t afraid of the hybrid future.
The “Must-Have” Package
If you’re looking to order one, the Audi Sport Performance Package is the box you’ll want to tick. It’s a significant upgrade that does more than just add flair. It raises the top speed from 250 km/h to 285 km/h and unlocks the exclusive “Bedford Green” paint, a color that has already become an internet sensation.
The package also introduces a new “camouflage carbon” trim. Unlike the traditional carbon fiber weave we’ve all seen, this is a recycled-look, multi-filament aesthetic that looks like nothing else on the road. It’s a bold choice for a bold car.
Tarmac Takeaway
The Audi RS5 Avant is a bridge between two worlds. It proves that you don’t have to sacrifice the thrill of the drive to embrace the efficiency of the future. It’s a car that can take you to the office in silent, electric comfort, and then take you to the track to tear up the tarmac with 470 kilowatts of hybrid fury.
As the RS5 Avant begins its roadshow across New Zealand, starting at Giltrap Audi, it’s clear that the performance wagon isn’t dying, it’s evolving, and the future of Audi Sport is plugged in.
