Audi NZ shows off new RS 5 Avant for the first time: the atmosphere is electric

David Linklater

24 Jun 2026

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RS 5 makes its first popup appearnce at Britomart, central Auckland.

First new RS 5 in NZ, ahead of German deliveries.
First-ever PHEV from Audi Sport, with 470kW.
Kiwi cars arrive August-September.

Audi New Zealand has imported an early example of the new RS 5 Avant in left-hand-drive form to show off to potential Kiwi customers, ahead of the launch proper in August-September.

Audi RS 5 Avant. — Some recent RS models have eschewed the grille badge. Not this one.

The national roadshow kicks off in Britomart, central Auckland, today (Wednesday June 24) at Spacefor, 10 Te Ara Tahuhu from 7am-4pm. And it's an all-in affair: anybody's welcome, with free coffee provided by Ortolana (it's right next door).

It truly is an early look. First deliveries of the new model in Germany don't start until next month. It's appropriate for Audi NZ to get one so fast: Kiwiland has long claimed status as the biggest-selling RS market per capita in the world, with the performance models accounting for around 20% of total sales.

The RS 5 is either highly anticipated or highly controversial, depending on your point of view. It's moved to an electrified powertrain, the 2.9-litre biturbo-V6 paired with a 22kWh (usable) plug-in battery. So it's Audi Sport's first-ever PHEV, although not its first electric car (you might be familiar with the RS e-tron GT).

Combined outputs are 470kW/870Nm, 0-100km/h takes just 3.7 seconds and EV range is approximately 80km (final figure yet to be confirmed).

The new RS 5 is 90mm wider than the S5 on which it is based, and 80mm wider than the previous RS 4 (which is what this model series was called until... oh, never mind. It's complicated).

There's plenty of RS-specific styling detail, although this model has a much more elegant appearance than the previous RS 4. That might change if you fit the optional Audi Sport body kit, which has more holes and wilder lines.

Only one style of 21-inch wheel will be offered, but it comes in a choice of four different finishes.

Chequered flags remain a theme for the fancy LED/OLED lights, and even the high stop-light reflects the motif on the rear screen when you brake.

The RS 5 Avant will be priced at $196,990, but for the first time since the RS 4 B7-generation (2006) there's also a sedan in the mix. That's NZ-bound too, and will cost $194,990.