Audi Fans Will Either Be Really Excited or Sorely Disappointed with Its New Performance Car

Ingolstadt’s finest intends to grace the world with its first-ever RS Q5.

Rear view of a dark gray Audi SQ5 with illuminated taillight and partial license plate visible.

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Published April 20, 2026

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Updated April 20, 2026

Audi is reportedly upping its performance game in a way it never has with the Q5. Spy photos have recently surfaced showing what appears to be a high-performance version of Ingolstadt’s most popular SUV in the works.

Rumor has it that it could be an RS Q5, which would be the first RS model based on the brand’s compact SUV. Previously, Audi produced a sportier SQ5 version of the crossover, but never a full-fledged RS model.

But with this latest potential RS model in the works, the BMW X3 M and Mercedes-AMG GLC could finally meet their match from the Four Rings.

The world’s first-ever RS Q5

Dark gray Audi SUV driving on a mountain road with blurred trees and rocks in the background. — An RS Q5 would be a first for the brand and the Q5’s third-generation model.

With performance wars heating up across the industry and regulatory rollbacks allowing automakers to revisit some prospects, it’s not too surprising that Audi could be working on an RS Q5. Despite being in production for almost two decades and three generations, there’s never been a super-high-performance version of the Q5.

Instead, there’s always been the standard Q5, with its optional turbo-four and more potent V6 engine options. Then, halfway through the first generation’s production lifecycle, Audi introduced the sportier SQ5.

Even with the popularity of its RS performance brand, however, Audi has never given us an RS Q5. (This is also despite offering an RS Q3 and RS Q8.)

Red Audi SUV with black honeycomb grille driving on a rooftop parking lot at sunset. — Audi revealed its third-generation version of its most popular SUV in 2025.

While nothing has been confirmed, online opinion is convinced this latest test mule is an RS Q5. Revealing details include the significantly more aggressive body work, such as the sportier front and rear bumpers.

The front bumpers feature considerably larger air intakes. While the rear lower fascia sports a fairly obvious and pronounced rear diffuser.

Audi car interior with black leather seats, digital dashboard, and red ambient lighting at sunset. — Should an RS Q5 happen, expect richer and sportier interior appointments than the current SQ5.

Other telling details include the model’s big brake kit. Not only do they appear to be massive, but they also look to be higher-performing drilled rotors.

Moreover, there are oversized exhaust tips, a growing feature among fast Audis, as we’ve seen with the latest RS5.

Potentially the fastest Q5 ever, but will it come Stateside?

Front left side of a red car showing a sleek LED headlight, black honeycomb grille, and alloy wheel on a paved surface near water. — With a new RS Q5, the BMW X3 M and Mercedes-AMG GLC could finally meet their match from Ingolstadt.

Not much else about the RS Q5 is concrete at the moment. Even still, rumors suggest the new model could host Audi’s latest 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged gas-electric V6 hybrid powertrain.

This could result in an output as high as 630 horsepower and 608 pound-feet of torque. That’s a huge leap over the most powerful Q5 to date, the SQ5, which is only good for 362 hp and 406 lb-ft.

Dark gray Audi SQ5 SUV with illuminated rear lights parked on gravel with mountains in the background at dusk. — To date, the sportiest Q5 has always been the SQ5.

But whopping power won’t be the only highlight of the RS Q5. Engineers are reportedly working on a bespoke drift mode for the quattro all-wheel-drive system.

It’ll supposedly happen thanks to an all-new electromechanical torque vectoring rear axle and a high-performance center differential and transfer case, which debuted on the latest RS5.

Whether the RS Q5 will be destined for American shores has yet to be determined. Audi has a habit of producing some awesome performance vehicles, but keeping them off limits to US shores.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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