New 2028 Audi RS Q5 Sportback First Rendered Look

Audi appears to be preparing something serious for its performance SUV lineup, and the latest spy photos have given us an early look at what could become the new 2028 Audi RS Q5 Sportback. While the prototype is still heavily disguised, enough details are visible to imagine how the production model could look, leading to these first rendered images.

Up front, the RS Q5 Sportback is expected to receive a much more aggressive appearance than the standard Q5. One of the biggest changes could be an enormous radiator grille extending toward the bottom of the bumper. Its almost rectangular shape would give the performance SUV a noticeably different face compared with the more familiar trapezoidal grille designs used across much of Audi’s current lineup.

Large rectangular air intakes are also expected on each side of the front bumper, helping give the RS model a wider and more planted appearance. Along the sides, Audi could introduce unique lower door and sill treatments to further separate the RS Q5 Sportback from the regular Q5 and SQ5.

The rear should make the performance intentions even clearer. A redesigned bumper is expected to incorporate the large oval exhaust outlets traditionally associated with Audi RS models. Interestingly, their positioning appears relatively conventional compared with the exhaust arrangements seen on some of Audi’s newest RS products.

The biggest story, however, could be underneath the bodywork. The new RS Q5 is expected to use a hybrid performance system related to the setup found in the latest RS5 family. That system combines a 2.9 liter twin turbocharged V6 gasoline engine producing 510 horsepower and 600 Newton meters of torque with an electric motor producing 177 horsepower and 460 Newton meters.

The electric motor is integrated into an 8 speed automatic transmission, with the complete system capable of producing a combined 639 horsepower and 825 Newton meters of torque. That would represent a major increase over the SQ5, which uses a 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 producing 367 horsepower and 550 Newton meters.

Audi has not officially revealed the RS Q5 Sportback yet, so the final design and specifications could still change. However, with prototypes now appearing on public roads, the wait may not be much longer.