Audi’s 2026 B10 RS5: 5 Things You Need to Know

For decades, the RS4 and RS5 were the twin pillars of Audi Sport’s mid-sized dominance. But for 2026, the rulebook has been rewritten. Under Audi’s new strategy—where odd numbers signify internal combustion—the legendary RS4 Avant has been reborn as the RS5 Avant, while the traditional Sportback is now the RS5 Saloon.

This isn't just a badge swap. The B10 is a muscular, wide-body evolution that shares almost no exterior panels with the standard A5. With a track that’s 45mm wider and front wings featuring RS6 GT-inspired breathers, it has a stance that makes the previous generation look almost narrow. But the real talking point sits under the skin: Audi’s first-ever performance plug-in hybrid system, delivering a staggering 639 horsepower and 825 Nm of torque.

1. The Performance – Hiding the heft

The B10 RS5 is officially Audi Sport’s first performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV). While rivals like Mercedes have downsized to four cylinders, Audi has doubled down on the 2.9L Twin-Turbo V6, heavily reworking it with new turbo plumbing and fuel delivery systems to produce 503 hp on its own.

• Combined Output: A staggering 639 hp and 825 Nm of torque.
• Electric Assist: A 130kW electric motor integrated into the 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox.
• Battery & Range: A 25.9 kWh battery (22 kWh usable) enables up to 52 miles (84km) of silent, electric-only driving.
• Charging: Supports up to 11kW AC charging, allowing a full top-up in 2.5 hours.

2. RS5 B10 vs Competition

Feature	Audi RS5 (B10)	Mercedes-AMG C63 S E	BMW M3 Competition
Engine	2.9L V6 PHEV	2.0L I4 PHEV	3.0L I6 Twin-Turbo
Horsepower	639 hp	671 hp	523 hp
Body Style	Avant / Sedan	Estate / Sedan	Touring / Sedan
Vibe	The All-Weather King	The Tech Monster	The Purist's Choice

 

Feature	B9 RS4/RS5 (Outgoing)	B10 RS5 (2026)
Powertrain	2.9L Twin-Turbo V6	2.9L V6 PHEV
Horsepower	444 hp	639 hp
Torque	600 Nm	825 Nm
0-62 mph	3.9s	3.6s (Conservative)
Weight	~1,715 kg	2,355 kg
EV Range	N/A	Up to 50 miles (80km)

3. Design: Aggression is Back

If the current S5 looked a bit too "safe" for you, the leaked images of the RS5 show Audi is leaning back into its wide-body heritage.

• Blistered Fenders: The "box flares" are massive, significantly wider than the standard A5 to accommodate a wider track.
• The Face: A new diamond-patterned Single frame grille sits lower and wider, flanked by massive functional air curtains.
• The "Pipes": It wouldn’t be an RS without the huge oval exhausts, but the leak shows they are now more centrally integrated into a monstrous rear diffuser.
  
  

4. Interior: The "Digital Stage"

The cabin is a total departure from the B9.5 generation. It features the new "Digital Stage" layout seen in the Q6 e-tron:

• A massive curved OLED MMI display.
• A dedicated Passenger Display (so your co-pilot can manage the laps or the playlist).
• Sustainable Performance: Lots of Dinamica (recycled microfiber) and carbon fibre inlays.
  
  

5. Expected Modifications 

Here at Autoid we don't leave cars standard...and being an arms reach from the worlds most premium brands of aftermarket styling and performance parts on our shelves – here is what we expect and perhaps what we would do if we got our own.

Upgrade Category	Recommended Part	Expected Impact
Carbon Fibre Body Kit	TRE Pre-preg Carbon Kit	Adds aggressive front/rear styling without garish lines.
Performance Tuning	TDI Tuning Box / ECU Remap	Estimated jump from 639hp to 730hp.
Air Intake System	Eventuri Carbon Intake	Improved airflow and that signature V6 induction roar.
Exhaust System	Milltek Valved Sport Exhaust	Enhanced sound with on-demand control from subtle to aggressive.
Suspension & Stance	Cobra Height Adjustable Springs	Fixed stance and reduced arch gap while maintaining comfort.
Forged Wheels	HRE Performance Wheels	Massive presence and significant unsprung weight reduction.

The Verdict

The B10 RS5 is a masterclass in "hiding the heft." Yes, it weighs in at a significant 2,355kg—nearly 640kg more than its predecessor—but the numbers don't lie. With a 3.6-second 0-62 mph sprint and a new electro-mechanical torque vectoring rear axle, Audi Sport has created a car that is surprisingly tail-happy and agile.

While purists may debate the weight, it's hard to argue with the versatility: you get 50 miles of silent EV range for the commute and a "Boost" button for 10 seconds of maximum everything when the road opens up.

Watch our good friend Joe Achilles drop his press release of the the new Audi B10 RS5 as well as revealing he put in for an allocation for one:

Looking to take your Audi RS or S model to the next level? We sell premium modifications for these models whether it's an RS3 or R8.