Maximum flexibility: Audi’s plug-in hybrids

The new Audi RS 5 is Audi Sport’s first high-performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) – with real RS DNA and the highly-tuned hybrid-technology to match. Whether carving canyons, running highway marathons, or gliding through town on electric power – the RS 5 masters any situation with agility and impressive precision. It covers an extremely wide spread of driving dynamics – from comfortable every-day companion to potent performer. For the first time at Audi Sport, the powertrain pairs a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 outputting 375 kW (510 PS) and a 130 kW electric motor. They are joined by bespoke RS sport suspension with twin-valve shock absorbers and a completely new quattro drivetrain with Dynamic Torque Control, enabling electromechanical torque vectoring at the rear as a world first. The new center differential has a preload to always remain partially locked, managing longitudinal torque distribution. Transverse torque distribution at the rear is provided by a new differential that can shift torque between the wheels in milliseconds. The result: exceptionally agile, composed, and effortless driving.

Audi is expanding the new Q5 family: in addition to the combustion models with MHEV plus technology, the SUV and Sportback will also be launched as plug-in hybrid models (PHEV). The new generation of high-voltage batteries in the Audi Q5 e-hybrid models has around 45 percent more capacity. As a result, 25.9 kWh (net 20.7 kWh) of power is available for electric driving.