Inside Audi’s Global Effort to Create the All-New RS 5

[Source: Audi]

When Audi enthusiasts think about the new Audi RS 5, they will likely focus on the headline numbers. The all-new RS 5 is the first RS model to adopt a plug-in hybrid powertrain, pairing a twin-turbocharged V6 engine with electric assistance to deliver both performance and efficiency. What many fans may not realize is that the car itself is the product of an international collaboration stretching across two countries and multiple engineering teams.

Audi recently highlighted the development process behind the RS 5, revealing how engineers in Neckarsulm, Germany, and Győr, Hungary worked together to bring the new performance flagship to life.

The development of the RS 5’s new Power PHEV system follows a carefully structured process. Audi’s engine development team in Neckarsulm is responsible for designing and validating the powertrain. Once development reaches the production phase, Audi Hungaria in Győr takes over manufacturing and continuous engineering support.

While that sounds straightforward on paper, Audi says the relationship has been refined over many years and relies heavily on trust, communication, and shared experience. Engineers from both facilities regularly meet for technical workshops, milestone reviews, and formal handovers as projects move closer to production.

According to Audi, these meetings are about far more than paperwork. They allow teams to solve technical challenges together, exchange ideas, and ensure both facilities maintain the same quality standards throughout the development process.

The new RS 5 represents one of the most significant technical shifts in Audi Sport history. The combination of a twin-turbo V6 and an electric motor gives the car the instant response expected from a modern performance vehicle while helping Audi meet increasingly strict emissions regulations. It also marks a major step toward the brand’s electrified future without abandoning the character that RS enthusiasts have come to expect.

Audi says the benefits of this international cooperation extend beyond engineering. Different technical backgrounds and perspectives often lead to better solutions and faster problem-solving. Many of the engineers involved have worked together across multiple projects, creating relationships that make collaboration feel seamless despite the physical distance between facilities.

The result of that teamwork is a car Audi believes delivers on the RS promise. Along with the new hybrid powertrain, the RS 5 features Audi’s latest quattro system with Dynamic Torque Control, helping distribute power more precisely between the rear wheels for improved handling and driver engagement.

For enthusiasts, the takeaway is simple. The development of the new RS 5 was truly an international effort. From Germany to Hungary, hundreds of engineers contributed to creating what could be one of the most important RS models Audi has ever built.