Audi RSQ5 approaches production after prior V8 revelation

Audi is edging closer to launching its first-ever RSQ5, with fresh spy photography from the Nürburgring appearing to show the long-mooted performance SUV is nearly ready for production. Odds are it will feature the twin-turbo V6 plug-in hybrid powertrain from the latest RS5, however Audi Sport boss Rolf Michl has revealed a V8 version of a previous generation was tested in the mid-2010s.

Despite the success of the RSQ3 and RSQ8, Audi has never produced a full-fat RS version of its best-selling Q5 mid-sized SUV – performance efforts previously stopped at the SQ5 – but that could be about to change.

Spy shots published by Autoblog appear to show a near-production RSQ5 prototype entering the Nürburgring in Germany with widened haunches, dual exhaust pipes and a charging port, indicating the model is a plug-in hybrid.

The twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 PHEV system from the new RS5 would be a natural fit, chucking out a combined 470kW/825Nm.

Michl said the performance SUV segment had developed in recent years and that Audi Sport had noted the success of the BMW X3 M and Mercedes-AMG GLC.

“The basic volumes of an X3 or X4, or the GLC, have really developed, so of course, proportionally, also the M models and the AMGs have [made] profit out of that,” he said.

“There [have been] several developments in the high-performance segment, people seem to love RS [SUVs], like the RSQ8, where we hold the Nürburgring record.”

The Audi Sport boss also revealed to carsales he had been involved in testing a V8-powered RSQ5 prototype in the mid-2010s.

“About 10 years ago, we [put] a Q5 2.0 TFSI with fully standard optics, and we built in the B8 [RS4] engine without really any adaptations to the exterior,” he said.

“The high-rev engine of the B8 did not really fit well enough to that SUV; it went up to 8500rpm, so it was really nice [but] to go back to the customer profile, it would have been too engaging for a high-performance SUV at that time.”

That engine was a naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 producing 331kW/430Nm.

Audi has yet to officially confirm the existence of the RSQ5 that has been spotted testing, but the prototype appears to be wearing production-tier bodywork.

“When I see it at the Nürburgring, I can make my thoughts about it,” Michl said.

The Q5, which remains Audi’s global best-seller, currently has a range that tops out with the 3.0-litre mild-hybrid V6 SQ5, meaning there’s plenty of room for an RSQ5 to slot in above.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au