New Audi RS5 Avant coming soon: hot estate car spotted testing

• New Audi RS5 spotted testing
• Replacement for the RS4 Avant
• Exterior design rendered by Carwow
• Likely to use a plug-in hybrid V6
• Could have around 550hp
• Full reveal expected next year

The all-new Audi A5 and S5 are here, but the speed freaks among you may be wondering where the flagship RS5 is. Well you’ll have to wait a bit longer for the BMW M3 Touring alternative, but it is on the way and it’s been spotted testing.

You can expect to see a similar V6 engine to the S5, however a plug-in hybrid system is likely to be used to boost power. The Carwow team has also had a go at predicting this new car’s design in some exclusive renders.

New Audi RS5 design

Now that the new Audi A5 and S5 have been revealed it’s much easier to visualise the new RS5. The Avant has been spotted a few times now, so let’s take a look at this flagship model and the new S5 side-by-side.

Starting up front you can see the lower bumper is a bit more aggressive-looking on the RS5. The side air intakes are a bit larger and have some horizontal slats through the middle, and there’s a slightly deeper lower bumper as well.

Moving down the side and you’ll notice the flared rear wheel arches on the RS5 – a feature which is likely to accommodate wider rear tyres. There’s also another vent in front of the front door, a bit like on the Audi RS3.

That extra width is even more noticeable from the rear, with the RS5 looking a lot more muscular than the standard A5. The obligatory RS twin oval tailpipes are also present and correct, although they have been moved further inwards than on the outgoing RS4.

The Carwow team has taken a stab at digitally peeling back the camouflage on the new RS5, and these renders give you a pretty good idea of what the car will look like.

The front grille has a more sporty honeycomb pattern than the standard A6 and S6, although the jury’s still out on the central placement of the exhaust pipes. They make the rear of the car look a bit pitched, so hopefully Audi moves them back out to the edges.

New Audi RS5 engine and performance

Power in the new Audi RS5 is likely to come courtesy of the same 367hp 3.0-litre V6 engine as you’ll find in the S6, however a plug-in hybrid system is expected to both boost power and lower emissions.

See how the Audi RS4 Competition gets on in a drag race…

This would mean adding an electric motor into the mix, and this could come from the Porsche Panamera. The 4S E-Hybrid model has a 190hp motor, and adding this to the S5’s engine could yield around 550hp.

That’s exactly 100hp more than the outgoing Audi RS4 Avant, so it would make this new car feel pretty spritely. Whereas the RS4 takes 4.1 seconds to do 0-60mph, this new RS5 could get much closer to the BMW M3 Touring’s 3.6-second sprint time.

New Audi RS5 interior and infotainment

While there are no official pictures of the RS5’s cabin yet, the new Audi S5 gives you a very good idea of what it’ll look like.

You can expect an identical dashboard layout, with an 11.9-inch digital driver’s display and a 14.5-inch touchscreen taking pride of place. An optional 10.9-inch passenger display will almost certainly be available as well.

Obviously there will be some sporty upgrades to make the RS5 stand out. Upgraded sports seats are a safe bet, and you’ll probably find an alcantara-trimmed steering wheel and plenty of red stitching – as well as RS-specific graphics for the various screens.

When can I buy the new Audi RS5?

With the standard A5 and S5 due to go on sale later this year, you’ll have to wait until at least early 2025 for the new Audi RS5 to hit the showrooms.

It’ll also fetch a hefty premium over the S5. That car starts from close to £70,000, so the flagship RS5 will almost certainly hit six figures.

Looking for an easy way to change your car? Then Carwow is the place to go. You can sell your car online for a great price, and get the best deals on a new one. All through our network of trusted dealers and all from the comfort of your home. Tap the button below to get started today.