Audi has tested the RS 5 plug-in hybrid on the Circuit de Marrakech and in the Atlas Mountains ahead of its market launch
Audi has put its new RS 5 plug-in hybrid through track and road testing in Morocco, with the vehicle completing laps of the Circuit de Marrakech and driving through the Atlas Mountains. The automaker says the tests demonstrated the vehicle’s balance of performance, precision and everyday usability.
The RS 5’s powertrain combines a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 with a 130 kW electric motor to deliver a combined system output of 470 kW (639 PS) and 825 Nm of torque. Audi says the electric boost is particularly perceptible during spontaneous acceleration and ensures direct throttle response.
On the circuit, the RS 5 was tested through tight curves, slalom sections and designated drift zones. Audi says the quattro drivetrain with Dynamic Torque Control transfers torque between the rear wheels with precision, enabling agile steering and controlled acceleration out of tight bends.
On the mountain roads, the RS sport suspension with twin-valve shock absorbers cushioned uneven surfaces while responding to body movements on rough climbs. Audi says pitch and roll are noticeably reduced, with steering remaining precise through the passes. In all-electric mode, the RS 5 travelled through mountain villages almost silently.
In a statement, Gernot Döllner, Chief Executive of Audi AG, said: “Driving here in Morocco – with sun, dust, and challenging mountain roads – shows just how confidently and reliably our first high-performance plug-in hybrid handles real-world conditions. This is what Vorsprung durch Technik is all about: true innovation proves itself not on a test rig but out on roads around the world.”
Source: Audi
