New 2027 Audi RS5: Sedan and station wagon on the offensive

The 2027 Audi RS5 arrives as a sedan and station wagon with more power, more character, and a completely redesigned interior.

Quick context: Audi has revamped its benchmark sports coupe, but with a twist: the RS5 is now offered as a four-door sedan and an Avant (wagon), taking a more practical approach without sacrificing serious performance. It's a direct response to the new generation BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C 63, and another step in the partial electrification of the RS range.

The new generation Audi RS5 abandons the two-door coupe format and aligns with the brand's strategy: greater versatility, more technology, and greater coherence with the rest of the A5/A4 range. The result is two clearly differentiated body styles—sedan and Avant wagon—aimed at everyday use without losing the RS division's DNA. All this comes with a more muscular design, a digitized interior, and a powertrain that embraces mild hybrid technology.

This 2027 RS5 is based on the new A5 platform, with a specific chassis, brake, and aerodynamic setup. According to available information, the priority has been to combine high-level performance with broader usability: from the track to the highway, and even everyday driving. It's not a complete technical revolution, but rather a profound evolution in design, ergonomics, and dynamic character.

What has Audi presented?

Audi has unveiled the 2027 RS5 for the first time in sedan and Avant configurations, both positioned as the top-of-the-range models within the A5 family. These models replace the previous RS5 coupe and Sportback, offering a more practical and efficient design in terms of space. The brand is positioning these models as the entry point to the mid-size RS range, positioned below the RS6.

The exterior design is instantly recognizable as a modern RS: flared wheel arches, large front air intakes, an aggressive rear diffuser, and gloss black accents. The sedan boasts a cleaner, sportier silhouette, while the Avant plays the high-performance station wagon card, with a wide tailgate and a longer roofline.

In both cases, the RS5 retains the brand's classic recipe: a longitudinal front engine, quattro all-wheel drive, and a specific suspension and steering setup. The aesthetics aren't just cosmetic: there's aerodynamic work on the bumpers, side skirts, and diffuser to improve stability and cooling.

Key data

• Two body styles: four-door sedan and Avant estate.
• Twin-turbo V6 engine with mild hybridization (according to the source).
• quattro all-wheel drive with variable torque distribution.
• Automatic torque converter transmission, number of gears not confirmed.
• RS-specific adaptive suspension, with a more radical configuration option.
• Oversized brakes with perforated discs and RS calipers.
• Fully digital interior with dual screen and RS-specific controls.
• Positioning against BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C 63.
• A more practical approach than the old RS5 coupé, without sacrificing performance.
• Final power and performance figures not yet confirmed by the brand.

The technical aspects: engine, chassis and drivetrain

Engine and light electrification

The heart of the new RS5 remains a twin-turbo V6, now paired with a mild-hybrid system, according to the source. This solution doesn't make the car a plug-in hybrid, but it does improve responsiveness, efficiency, and the management of auxiliary systems. Exact power figures aren't specified, but the positioning suggests figures significantly higher than the previous RS5.

The engine management system and mild-hybrid system have been recalibrated to deliver more mid-range torque and a more linear power delivery. The aim is to combine the typical RS punch with more usable open-road driving. Official fuel consumption figures are unavailable, but the mild hybrid system should help reduce consumption compared to the previous generation.

chassis and quattro drive

Quattro all-wheel drive remains a cornerstone of the RS5, featuring variable torque distribution between the axles and a tuning geared towards agility. The system works in conjunction with the stability control and rear differential to enable more dynamic handling in the more aggressive driving modes, without compromising safety in low-grip conditions.

The RS-specific adaptive suspension offers various firmness levels, with settings that, according to the source, aim for a balance between everyday usability and sporty driving. The sedan and Avant share the same technical underpinnings, although weight distribution and the focus of each body style can result in distinct handling characteristics. The brakes, with perforated discs and large calipers, are designed for heavy-duty use.

Exterior design: more muscle, more presence

RS5 sedan body

The RS5 sedan boasts a low, wide profile, with a front end dominated by the dark-finished Singleframe grille and prominent side air intakes. The flared wheel arches make it clear that this is no ordinary A5, and the large-diameter wheels completely fill the gaps. The rear is finished off with an aggressive diffuser and oval exhaust outlets, a classic RS signature.

The three-box silhouette gives it a more classic look compared to the previous Sportback body style, but with a more taut and modern design language. Black details, specific inserts, and available optional styling packages allow for more subtle or more striking personalization, depending on the customer's taste.

RS5 Avant: the fast family car

The RS5 Avant maintains Audi's tradition of offering high-performance station wagons. It shares its front end and track width with the sedan, but the roofline extends to a very vertical tailgate, maximizing cargo space. It's the logical choice for those who want a very fast car without sacrificing trunk space and everyday practicality.

Aesthetically, the Avant combines the typical RS aggressiveness with the practicality of a station wagon. The roof rails, large tailgate, and more upright rear window differentiate it from the sedan, but its road stance and RS details make it clear that it's not just a family car. For many, it will be the most coherent format within the range.

Interior and technology: a generational leap

The interior of the 2027 RS5 represents a clear leap forward compared to its predecessor. The dashboard is dominated by two screens: a configurable digital instrument cluster and a central display for the infotainment system. The interface has been simplified, with fewer physical buttons and more functions integrated into the touchscreen system, although essential quick-access controls remain.

The RS sport seats, with their enhanced lateral support, are the centerpiece of the cabin. Materials such as leather, Alcantara, and RS-specific trim reinforce the sporty ambiance. The flat-bottomed steering wheel, metal pedals, and RS menus in the digital instrument cluster underscore that this is the most performance-oriented version of the A5 range.

As for driver assistance systems, the RS5 inherits the features already seen in recent Audi models: lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree cameras, and other advanced functions. While not all are detailed in the source, the range suggests a very comprehensive equipment package, with optional extras available for those seeking more assistance or a sportier driving experience.

Positioning, rivals, and what remains to be known

Market and direct rivals

The new RS5 finds itself caught in the crossfire between the BMW M3 and the Mercedes-AMG C 63. The sedan directly targets the M3 sedan and the C 63, while the Avant (wagon) occupies a segment where Audi has always been a strong contender: the sporty station wagon. It's a segment where the balance between performance, image, and practicality is key.

While some rivals have opted for plug-in hybrids or even four-cylinder engines, Audi is sticking with the twin-turbo V6 with mild-hybrid technology, an intermediate solution that aims to preserve its mechanical character. The typical RS5 customer likely values ​​both the brand image and the quattro all-wheel drive, as well as the heritage of the RS family models.

What remains to be confirmed

Key details remain to be revealed: exact power output, maximum torque, acceleration times, and official top speed. Prices and specific market launch dates are also unavailable, beyond the fact that it's a 2027 model. It's expected that the RS5 will be positioned significantly above the S5 in terms of price and performance, but without reaching the RS6's level of performance.

It also remains to be seen how the sedan and the Avant will differ dynamically, beyond the obvious difference in weight and mass distribution. The brand could fine-tune specific settings for each body style, but the source doesn't go into that level of detail. Until Audi publishes the complete technical specifications and we can test it, many of these questions will remain unanswered.

The important thing

• What's changed: the RS5 is no longer a coupé, but a sedan and Avant estate, with more space and a completely revamped interior.
• Why it matters: It enters the fray with the BMW M3 and AMG C 63, retaining the twin-turbo V6 with mild hybridization and quattro traction.
• What remains to be confirmed: power figures, performance, prices and detailed dynamic differences between sedan and Avant.

From Cars&Pizza News' perspective, this 2027 RS5 seems like a logical move: less coupe posturing, more real car, without sacrificing the RS punch and the fast family format that Audi masters like few others. The key will be how it stacks up against an increasingly radical M3 and a highly technological C 63. Does this RS5 sedan/Avant appeal to you more than the old coupe, or do you miss the two doors?