A change in name, yet still the same car Remember back in 2014, when BMW first released the M4, a two-door variant of the four-door M3? At the time, it was rather confusing, considering in the past, two-door M3s were called M3 coupes. However, with BMW’s ever-expanding range at the time, this convoluted name change was necessary for them. Audi is currently going through a similar story. With its long-term goal to develop a fully electrified range, with petrol and hybrid being phased out by 2029 and 2033 respectively, it also has developed its own unnecessarily complicated nomenclature. From 2025 onwards, even-numbered models will be fully electric, whilst odd-numbered models will still utilize their internal combustion engines in some way. Confusing, you don’t know the half of it? Recently a small, RS-based Audi Avant was spotted being wrangled around the Nürburgring this past weekend. This car was once called the RS4, Audi’s answer to the M3 and C63 respectively. However, owing to the name change, this car is now referred to as the RS5 Avant. A name previously given to the coupe variant of the RS4. Wouldn’t you have loved to have been in the meeting and met the man who convinced the board about these superfluous changes? What the spy shots imply about the new RS5 Avant Though details are sparse since the B10 RS5 Avant is still in its testing phase and won’t hit the roads until 2025/2026, some rumors have emerged. The base price for a new RS5 B10 Avant, will be between $115,000 to $130,000. The design appears to carry those staple RS enhancements, which include:· Massively flared wheel arches.· A more aggressive front grill and bumper to improve airflow.· A surprisingly subtle rear spoiler on the boot.· Side skirts and a dual exhaust.The new RS5 also appeared to break into slides with little to no effort suggests it utilizes the same RS torque converter feature first seen on the 8Y variant of the RS3. Surprising considering most fast Audis would lean towards understeering off a circuit than oversteering on it. Going by the familiar muffled noise, the B10 RS5 will utilize the same 2.9L twin-turbocharged V6 used in the B9 RS4. However owing to Audi’s long-term goal of becoming fully electric, this new RS5 will be a fully-fledged hybrid. Pros and Cons of going hybrid There are some concerns to be noted here. Firstly, going hybrid will more than likely increase the weight by about 300kg, making this Heffalump even more fatty. Secondly, the electric motors will result in the car being a lot less practical than the old B9 RS4. However, what hybrids gain in weight, they also gain in power. This car will more than likely use the same 25.9kWh 190 horsepower electric motor used in the Panamera. And given that the original car’s twin-turbo V6 produced 444 horsepower, this implies the new RS5 will produce, at minimum 634 horsepower. B10 RS5 or AMG C63S E Performance? Based on these rumors for the new RS4…sorry RS5, it certainly appears to the wipe the floor with the current M3 and Giulia Quadrifoglio. Its main rival is clearly the new C63S E Performance. Both these hybridized new variants are monumentally more powerful than their ex petrol-powered equivalents. When it comes to differences, the Audi has a vastly more appealing engine. That being said, the Merc will be more powerful and, thus, a more impressive feat from an engineering standpoint. As for which is superior, well we here at F1rstMotors will hopefully bring you a comparison in the near future. What does the future hold for the RS4…sorry 5 Avant RS Audis hasn’t had the same loyal fanbase as AMG Mercs or M-powered Beemers. This is primarily because of their nanny state four-wheel drive systems and heft. So going hybrid would only appear to be like substituting butter for lard on an already stodgy cake. However, there are a lot of exciting aspects to the RS5. The new RS torque converter will probably make the car more appealing to drive than any previous RS Audi. And from a performance perspective, it certainly appears to crush most of its competitors. Fingers crossed, the B10 RS5 Avant will be one hell of a car and exciting to a degree the man behind this change in nomenclature couldn’t quite comprehend. Source: CarSpyMedia
