Is Audi’s new RS5 faster than BMW’s M3 and Merc’s C63 AMG?
2026-03-03 - 13:53
The modified internal combustion engine delivers 375 kW and 600 Nm. Adding the new 25.5-kWh battery pack that powers a single electric motor on the rear axle delivers a further 130 kW and 470 Nm. This is said to be enough to see they Audi RS5 get from 0-100 km/h in a mere 3.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 250 km/h or 285 km/h with the optional RS Driver’s Package fitted. The claimed all-electric range is 87 km. BMW M3 Sedan BMW’s M3 Sedan produces 390 kW of power and 650 Nm from its 3.0-litre, straight-six, powerplant. No electrical assistance is on offer for the BMW. But the figures are still good enough for the manufacturer to claim a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds. While an electronically limited top speed of 290 km/h is on the table too. The original OG of the streets has only recently been dethroned by the C63. Picture: Supplied. Mercedes-AMG’s C63 S E Performance Mercedes-AMG’s C63 S E Performance offers up the most power and torque of the trio at 500 kW and 1020 Nm of torque from its 2.0-litre mill with battery assistance. As a result, the factory from Affalterbach claims the quickest time at 3.4 seconds to get to 100 km/h. Top speed is in line with the others at 250 km/h or 280 km/h with the AMG Driver’s Package fitted. ALSO READ: BMW starts decoding ‘electric M3’ ahead of 2027 reveal High boosting 2.0-litre engine with battery assistance makes the Mercedes-AMG C63 fastest. Picture: Supplied. Quattro all-wheel drive As before, the quattro all-wheel drive system has been paired with a limited slip differential and a new torque vectoring system. As per Audi, the latter pair means a split in power and torque between the axles either 70%/30% or 15%/85%. Also retained, but revised, is the eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox. Underneath, the RS5 rides on the same Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture as the A5, but with a series of dynamic alterations made. Mounted on 20-inch or optional 21-inch RS Sport wheels. Picture: Supplied. Stiffer suspension Due to the plug-in hybrid hardware, which sees the Audi RS5 tick the scales at 2 355 kg for the sedan and at 2 370 kg for the Avant, the chassis is 10% stiffer and the RS sport twin-valve adaptive suspension retuned. Revised are the front and rear axles, the RS steering system, the rubber suspension bushings and the shock absorbers. Not stopping there, Audi has also fitted new brakes; the standard with 420 mm at the front and 400 mm at the rear sized discs. Optional are the carbon ceramic stoppers comprising 440 mm at the front and 410 mm at the rear discs. Hybrid and boost modes As part of the Audi Drive Select system, the RS5 gains two new drive modes; Hybrid, which becomes the default setting, and the all-electric EV. A further new addition is a boost mode activated by the RS button on the steering wheel. Similar to that of the BMW and Mercedes-AMG, this results in the full 470 kW and 825 Nm being available for 10 seconds for what Audi bills as “perfect for quick overtakes”. Brake regeneration, which can charge the battery by 80% on the move, is yet another first for the car. ALSO READ: New Mercedes-AMG C63 pips BMW M3 on the drag strip Inside, the changes are subtler and see the retention of the 14.5-inch MMI infotainment system. Picture: Supplied. Not yet for us The Audi RS5 is about to go on sale in Europe, but right now it has not been confirmed for South Africa. A move we expect to change in the coming months.