Next Audi RS5 Gets A New Wing For The Nürburgring

The Audi RS5 sedan has been spotted testing at the Nürburgring once again. Audi’s sport sedan competitor to the Mercedes-AMG C63 and BMW M3 is out turning laps around the Green Hell to make sure it’s ready to take on those monsters when it is unleashed later this year.

This latest set of photos shows some changes compared to RS5 test mules we’ve spotted in the last few months. Changes that could mean Audi had to make adjustments to boost performance, either that of the engine’s cooling system or the hot Audi’s aerodynamic stability.

RS5 Gets Larger Intakes And Fender Vents

CarBuzz spy photographers have captured the RS5 sedan several times already since last September. We’ve also snapped the Avant wagon out doing the rounds as Ingolstadt makes the final tweaks on this model.

Yes, this is an RS5 sedan, not an RS4. The A4 and A5 were the final victims of Audi’s multiple name structure changes, which have since been reversed and kept the A6 as the A6.

While we assumed previous RS5 spottings were production-ready cars, this test prototype has some differences. The first are on the nose, where what were side air vents cut into four sections are now just one large vent on each side. One of the splits that is now gone could have been a prototype trick, but the outer sections were clearly directing air in a different direction, likely around the tires.

Related

2025 Audi RS5 Avant Spied With Hips To Make The Old RS4 Proud

The name may change, but the idea of a fast wagon with a menacing footprint will live on.

The grille and headlights also look slightly different. Zoom in, though, and the differences seem to be more related to how Audi has positioned the wrap than an actual change.

Vents on the fenders, behind the wheel arches, also appear larger than on previous prototypes. That could have become necessary to move more air out from under the hood and from within the wheelwells. Turbulent air in those areas can lead to excessive front-end lift and high-speed instability.

Extensive Rear-End Changes Include New Wing

At the rear, the most noticeable change is a new rear wing. The tiny wing is likely there to restore the aero balance between the front and rear that had changed because of the new vents. The rear bumper itself is also new, with larger horizontal reflectors being the obvious change. The RS5 sedan’s tailpipes are now fully enclosed within the bumper, and several new styling elements have been added to the rear corners.

This time around, the interior screens aren’t covered. We can more clearly see the long bezel, which resembles the one found in the Audi A6. That car, revealed earlier this month, has an 11.9-inch digital dash linked with a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. The dash pod for a head-up display is also visible.

Related

The BMW M3 Touring’s Worst Nightmare Is Almost Ready For Action

The hot Audi RS5 Avant now looks like a complete sports wagon, so a reveal must be imminent.

We still expect this to be a V6, unlike the now four-cylinder Mercedes-AMG. Audi’s 2.9-liter V6 will likely continue in this next-generation model. It should make much more than the current 444 horsepower, though. We also know it will be a plug-in hybrid, as that fuel door on the left is actually a charge port. Audi typically places its gas doors on the right, following German convention.