M3WC wroteThe electric range does nothing for me. It's just frustrating that options are getting more limited. It annoys me as a previous gen RS5 owner, and as a G80 M3 owner. Less direct (non electrified) options isn't good for anyone.The trick it is going to drive in real world 100+km in all electric. If someone doesn't care about such thing, there are other cars on the market.
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04-03-2026LAST POST
M3WC wroteThat may be a game changer for a car maker that is synonymous with plowing in corners. Maybe this car will drive better than its predecessor but not better than the current or next M3.The way the hybrid system works in the RS5 looks superior. It is the same general concept, put a electric motor between the engine and transmission. But the extra 5kw permanent magnet motor on the rear of the RS5 for torque vectoring will be a game changer. The new M5 doesn't exactly get the best driving reviews. The extra weight comes primarily from having nearly 50% more kwh in battery capacity. The RS6 will get same drivetrain layout with a V8 to compete directly against the M5.
As for the RS 6 - the C8 is already at 4750 lbs. I can't even imagine what a PHEV system will do to the C9 as far as weight is concerned.
Game wrote5200lbs heavy cow with a motor in front of front Wheels, gonna handle like a dream i supposeGorgeous car...especially in avant form. Curious to see the driving impressions.
maticCRO wroteUh you drive a Urus...remember where the weight is on that? I'll bet this RS5 has better weight distribution, albeit a fat pig.5200lbs heavy cow with a motor in front of front Wheels, gonna handle like a dream i suppose
Burrcold wroteYeah and? Urus is a status symbol, a very big SUV, and still has a better power to weight ratio than this RS5, plus it accelerates betterUh you drive a Urus...remember where the weight is on that? I'll bet this RS5 has better weight distribution, albeit a fat pig.
Competition to an RS5 isnt Urus, its BMW M3, and it will stay a better car than this 2026 RS5 even now 5y after M3 was introduced... Flop
maticCRO wroteLol that wasn't my point. You mentioned that it has a motor in front of the front wheels...just like the Urus. Your car may be a status symbol for you, but it's a glorified version of my Q7. Just saying...Yeah and? Urus is a status symbol, a very big SUV, and still has a better power to weight ratio than this RS5, plus it accelerates better
Competition to an RS5 isnt Urus, its BMW M3, and it will stay a better car than this 2026 RS5 even now 5y after M3 was introduced... Flop
I don't disagree with you on the M3 comment...I own an M3 and owned previous RS5s. You don't have to convince me which one I would prefer in the long run.
RS5 and Urus indeed have the "Audi drivetrain" with rear face of block foward of the front wheel center. Urus with 2 more cylinders has disproportionately more weight forward of the front wheels than the RS5 does.
maticCRO wroteNobody said that. It's on the same platform and is very similar underneath. If you can't admit that, you're living in a dreamland. It's a great platform and car/suv, but don't act like you've got some bespoke vehicle.Ah nothing new, Cayenne and Q7 haters hating on Lambo and calling it the same car just with a different badge hahaha, so low...
Interior is not great but not a deal breaker, seats are cool.
The weight, hybrid drivetrain plus the crazy price are definitely deal breakers for me though.
RM7 wroteProbably won’t find a faster car for the weight and price than an S Plaid, but I won’t buy a Tesla.A Tesla Model S is 4800...haha
Hilarious to me is the thought that Audi/BMW/Porsche could move in a less technical, lighter, analog direction (and be cheaper) and sell alot more cars. The Chinese evs will outperform all these at a way lower cost.
The essence of BMW used to be the mechanical driving experience, not the electrical/hybrid wizardry that will cost an arm and a leg to insure and God help you if something breaks or is faulty.
Imagine this car at 3500lbs with just the gas engine and Quattro all wheel drive. Sell like hotcakes.
It's literally becoming the best reason to own and keep a 6 MT F80 car. 3500 lbs and analog.
TR930 wroteOr keeping the G80/2 cars as they too deliver and are not much more complex than the F cars save for having the M xdrive.Morbid thought, but imagine a car collision in this thing, sheer mass of it. Plus, not comfortable with these batteries in an accident either.
Hilarious to me is the thought that Audi/BMW/Porsche could move in a less technical, lighter, analog direction (and be cheaper) and sell alot more cars. The Chinese evs will outperform all these at a way lower cost.
The essence of BMW used to be the mechanical driving experience, not the electrical/hybrid wizardry that will cost an arm and a leg to insure and God help you if something breaks or is faulty.
Imagine this car at 3500lbs with just the gas engine and Quattro all wheel drive. Sell like hotcakes.
It's literally becoming the best reason to own and keep a 6 MT F80 car. 3500 lbs and analog.
Audi does make what you mentioned, it's called the RS3 but alas not nearly large enough.
tracksidemanner wroteVery true. But the RS3 looks very "compromised" in design to me. Very budget like. I'm saying let's get a 500 hp ICE engine in a 3500 lbs car. Then, put it in that new Rs5 shape with Quattro, analog gauges and tactile button controls.Or keeping the G80/2 cars as they too deliver and are not much more complex than the F cars save for having the M xdrive.
Audi does make what you mentioned, it's called the RS3 but alas not nearly large enough.
maticCRO wroteI've personally been under all of them on my own lifts. They are extremely similar with the differences being body cladding and chassis bracing, and of course interior paneling.Ah nothing new, Cayenne and Q7 haters hating on Lambo and calling it the same car just with a different badge hahaha, so low...
VAG basically makes a chassis with some amazing TAM;
Toureag = Low cost budget option
Q7 = Entry luxury option
Bentayaga = High end luxury option
Cayenne Turbo GT = Porschifieid variant complete with lack of section 179 credits
Urus = Status symbol lambo variant complete with styling differentiation
To ignore the similarities across this platform is to be deliberately blind. It's ok to like a partsbin car, but it is what it is. I think the VAG group did an amazing job by creating a chassis with this much flexibility.
This car looks awesome. I wish it wasn't hybrid much like the M5. I don't like where the entire industry is hiding and I am having to seek refuge with other brands that I never thought I'd have to just because of how uhhh climate friendly and cheap everything is.
I didn't mind the interior of the RS5 - to other posters saying it sucks have you sat in the new X3 or the new M5? Par for the course I'd say post covid, and a smidgen better than BMW but for sure a step down across both brands from the previous gen.
TR930 wroteWould not want to be hit by the electric Hummer or whatever that weighs 8500-9000 lbs.Morbid thought, but imagine a car collision in this thing, sheer mass of it. Plus, not comfortable with these batteries in an accident either.
