McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Audi News

Audi news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated daily with model reveals, first drives, technology launches and verified performance figures. Our coverage runs across the RS models and the expanding e-tron range, together with the road cars that sit beneath them. Audi is moving quickly on electrification, and we report each development as it is confirmed. Plenty of publications carry performance car news, but few carry it beside live inventory. Many of the Audis covered here appear on the duPont REGISTRY marketplace, so a review and a genuine asking price sit together. That combination is difficult to find anywhere else in luxury car news. For Audi news today, begin with the stories below.

How The Upcoming Audi Q9 Revolutionizes Headlight Technology

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 21, 2026

The New Audi Q9’s Headlight Innovation

Especially as LED lighting has become more universal in the automotive industry, headlights are a tricky balance. While brighter lights give drivers better visibility, they can also cause glare for other drivers. The upcoming Audi Q9, a new flagship SUV model from the iconic German luxury manufacturer, plans to change that with headlight technology that has yet to be introduced to the United States market. In Europe, adaptive headlight technology has been available that improves visibility for drivers while reducing glare for oncoming traffic at the same time. The technology has been in use in Europe since 2013, and while regulations prevented its adoption in the United States market in that time, new federal regulations have opened a pathway for the adaptive technology to make its way onto the domestic market. When the new full-size, flagship Audi Q9 SUV is launched, it will bring Digital Matrix LED lighting with it, including Adaptive Driving Beam technology that will be available for US customers for the first time. The system meets the D.O.T.’s regulations for glare, while also delivering the high performance that the adaptive systems are able to give drivers. It’s coming to US Audi dealerships later this year, and the micro LED technology is an important milestone for Audi’s lighting innovation. Rather than activating or deactivating high beams fully, the adaptive system actively reshapes the light pattern based on what is detected by the front cameras, dimming the pixels that will cause glare, and maintaining brightness for the driver’s own visibility. The light temperature, which is near that of natural daylight, also works to reduce fatigue. One of many innovations that will be introduced with the Q9, the new lighting technology is a continuation of Audi’s leadership in lighting technology. In the late ‘90s, Audi innovated with the Xenon headlights in the A8, while the Audi R8 pushed the envelope in 2008 with its full LED headlights, and the Audi A8’s adaptive lights worked with navigation data in 2010. Throughout the 2010s, Audi continued to innovate with technology like matrix LED lights, OLED lighting, and fully digitalized lights. With the new Adaptive Driving Beam technology, the upcoming Audi Q9 flagship is poised to improve lighting technology and safety in the automotive industry. View All Audi For Sale Image Source: Audi

By Khris Bharath – May 11, 2026

First Look: Audi Unveils Ultra Luxurious Q9 Interior Ahead of July World Premiere

For years, the Audi Q8 has represented the sportier side of Audi’s flagship SUV lineup, while the three-row Audi Q7 served as the brand’s largest family-focused utility vehicle. But despite its practicality, the Q7 remained positioned below full-size rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and long-wheelbase versions of the Range Rover. That will soon change with the arrival of the new Audi Q9 Ahead of the model’s official debut on July 29, Audi released an early look inside the Q9, and the details suggest Ingolstadt is targeting the same space occupied by the aforementioned ultra-premium family haulers and executive transport vehicles from across the luxury segment. That intention becomes clear the moment you open the doors, with an extensive suite of flagship-level features to be offered. For the first time on an Audi production vehicle, every door is electrically operated, and they can be opened through the key, the myAudi app, the MMI system, the brake pedal, or even the seatbelt buckle. Surround sensors and obstacle detection can stop the doors automatically if cyclists, walls, or nearby vehicles are detected, a useful addition for tight urban parking garages and crowded school pickup lanes. “With the Q9, ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ is increasingly defined by the in-car experience. Cars have long been much more than just a means of transportation; they are mobile living spaces for our customers.” - Gernot Döllner, CEO, Audi. Inside, the Q9 offers six or seven seat configurations, with the optional six-seat layout transforming the second row into something closer to a private jet cabin, with individual electrically adjustable captain’s chairs featuring active ventilation integrated into both the seat cushions and backrests. Audi says all three second-row seats in the seven-seat configuration can accommodate child seats simultaneously, which is an increasingly important requirement for large families. The panoramic roof alone measures nearly 16 square feet, and its nine independently controlled glass sections can switch from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button, eliminating the need for a traditional sunshade. Higher trim levels add 84 integrated LEDs that illuminate the cabin in 30 ambient colors. We've previously seen similar variable light control tech on the Porsche Taycan. Audi has also leaned heavily into sensory technology. The updated high-end Bang & Olufsen 4D audio system combines headrest speakers, surround sound functionality, and seat-mounted actuators that will allow occupants to feel bass and musical rhythm through the seats themselves, for an even more immersive experience while on the move. The system also syncs with the interaction light strip running across the dashboard, matching lighting patterns and colors to album artwork and music playback. Material quality is also a major focus here. Audi confirmed new upholstery options, including alpaca wool blends, Dinamica microfiber, fine Nappa leather, and matte natural wood finishes designed specifically to reduce fingerprints and glare. New colors like Tamarind Brown and Stone Beige further separate the Q9 from Audi’s existing SUV lineup. <- Gallery -> As for practicality and convenience features, the Q9 introduces dual Qi2.2 wireless charging pads, 100-watt USB-C ports, and a new three-dimensional cargo rail system in the trunk that allows luggage and loose items to be secured without sacrificing floor space. The full reveal of the Audi Q9 arrives later this summer, with full specifications, pricing, and additional details set to follow. Watch this space. View All Audis For Sale Images: Audi

By Khris Bharath – May 06, 2026

Audi Revives V16-Powered Record Breaking Race Car That Hit 203 MPH in 1935

In the early 1930s, long before Porsche became synonymous with the 911, Ferdinand Porsche was helping create some of the most radical performance machines Europe had ever seen. He was running an engineering consultancy developing radical performance concepts for Germany’s emerging racing programs. One of those ideas eventually became the Auto Union P52, a mid-engined V16 machine many historians now view as one of the earliest true supercar concepts. Nearly a century later, Audi Tradition has revived part of that engineering lineage with the rebirth of the Auto Union Lucca, a streamlined 16-cylinder record car that once made headlines across Europe for hitting 203.17 mph in February 1935 on a straight section of autostrada between Pescia and Altopascio near Lucca. Fittingly unveiled in Lucca, Italy, the recreated Rennlimousine reconnects Audi’s modern heritage program with the same experimental thinking that shaped Auto Union’s prewar Grand Prix dominance. This was an era when Auto Union and Porsche worked closely together under Germany’s rapidly evolving motorsport programs in the inter-war years. Ferdinand Porsche and former racing driver Adolf Rosenberger had already pushed the concept of mid-engine balance with the Auto Union Type A, B, and C racers, placing the driver ahead of the engine and centralizing mass for stability at speed. Those ideas later influenced everything from Formula 1 packaging to road supercars like the McLaren F1. The recreated Lucca now joins Audi’s historic Silver Arrow collection after more than three years of development by British restoration specialist Crosthwaite & Gardiner. Every component was handcrafted using archive photography, engineering documents, and surviving technical references. Audi even replicated the car’s dramatic aerodynamic aluminum bodywork, including the enclosed cockpit canopy, covered wheels, and elongated tail section designed specifically for high-speed aerodynamic efficiency. “Audi does not yet have any Auto Union racing or record-attempt cars from the early Grand Prix era in its historic vehicle collection. The car is a testament to the technical innovation of the four rings,” said Stefan Trauf, Head of Audi Tradition. The original car featured a supercharged 5.0-liter V16 producing roughly 343 horsepower. The recreated version now runs a supercharged 6.0-liter V16 from the Auto Union Type C family, which puts out 520 horsepower at 4,500 rpm. Audi Tradition selected the larger engine for durability during demonstration events while maintaining visual authenticity. The Lucca is also part of a broader effort by Audi Tradition to revive some of the most ambitious concepts in the company’s back catalog. In 2024, Audi recreated the aforementioned Auto Union P52 and brought the V16-powered concept to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, finally giving motion to a car that existed only as sketches and engineering drawings for decades. Audi Tradition has also revived historically significant competition cars, including the Auto Union Type C hill climb car and multiple Silver Arrow racers that continue appearing at demonstration events across Europe. The Auto Union Lucca will make its first public dynamic appearance at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed this July, where the V16 Rennlimousine will run for the first time in front of spectators since its modern recreation. <- Gallery -> View All Audis For Sale Images: Audi

Audi Comes To The Miami Grand Prix With An RS 5 Hot Lap Car

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 30, 2026

Audi Brings Hot Lap RS 5 To Miami GP

The Audi Revolut F1 Team is in the midst of its debut season on the world’s most prestigious and intensely competitive racing grid, and coming soon is the Miami Grand Prix, the first showdown of the season to take place in the United States. Audi is making its US Formula 1 debut at the Miami Grand Prix, and the occasion is especially momentous because it marks a return of Audi factory racing to the States. As part of Audi’s presence in Miami for the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend, the brand is set to bring its latest performance hero to the track as part of the F1® Pirelli Hot Lap Program: the new Audi RS 5. Featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time in an Audi RS performance car. With 630 horsepower, the RS 5 heralds a new era for Audi performance, making the most of an electrified powertrain to deliver thrilling performance. With a configuration inspired by the Audi R26 F1 car, the hot lap Audi RS 5 combines a Titanium exterior color with Lava Red Audi rings and accents. With the program, guests will get to experience the track with professional racing drivers at the wheel of the RS 5. Those drivers will be Dindo Capello and Markus Winkelhock.Getting a firsthand experience of the high performance of the RS 5, guests will get a deeper understanding of how the electrified power and high-tech innovation result in a new standard of performance for Audi through the Pirelli Hot Lap Program. As Audi continues its debut racing season on the F1 grid and prepares to unveil more new models this year, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the iconic luxury manufacturer. View All Audi For Sale Image Source: Audi

Audi Unveils New Installation For Milan Design Week 2026

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 21, 2026

Audi At Milan Design Week 2026

Audi is in the midst of revolutionizing its presence as a luxury car manufacturer. It recently introduced a new plug-in hybrid performance model, the new Audi RS 5, and the brand’s debut season with a Formula 1 team is in full swing. Meanwhile, Audi is bringing its brand presence to this year’s Milan Design Week with a unique installation called “Origin.” It’s set in the courtyard of the former Archiepiscopal Seminary, today the Portrait Hotel on Corso Venezia in Milan, and it’s an otherworldly-looking sculptural object that strikes an intriguing dissonance against its historical surroundings. It’s designed in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects, the firm founded by the eponymous, legendary, late Zaha Hadid, and with a matte metallic surface, it absorbs the light and colors of the space that surrounds it throughout the day, making it a dynamic and futuristic presence among a classical environment. Described as a “living spatial experience,” “Origin” invites visitors to “reflect and connect” according to Audi, blending Audi’s product of high-tech luxury vehicles with art and culture as part of the experience. Alongside the installation is Audi’s latest high-tech performance hero, the new plug-in hybrid RS 5, which showcases electrified performance in a luxurious and spirited package, along with the Audi R26, the Formula 1 car that is championing the Audi Revolut F1 Team’s inaugural season in the ultra-prestigious series. After 13 consecutive years of presence in Milan Design Week, consistently going beyond the automotive industry with its contributions, “Origin” is yet another showcase of art and culture from Audi for the 2026 event. View All Audi For Sale <- Gallery -> Image Source: Audi

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 31, 2026

Audi's Concept Cars and Design Studies at Museum Mobile

Since its start, Audi has been known for pushing the envelope of automotive design with extremely cool, unique concepts, whether it's the Aztec from 1988 or the Audi quattro concept from 2010. And while most never left Audi’s concept phase, never to touch public roads as production cars, concept cars still serve a purpose for the brand's future. In honor of those innovative and inspirational creations, Audi’s Museum Mobile is proud to showcase an all-new exhibit of eleven concept cars and design studies titled “Design Legends”. Exhibit Special Features: Aztec from 1988 Audi quattro Spyder from 1991 Audi Avus quattro from 1991 Audi TT show car from 1995 Audi A8 Coupé concept car from 1997 Audi Steppenwolf from 2000 Audi Nuvolari quattro from 2003 Audi Shooting Brake concept from 2005 Audi e-tron Spyder from 2010 Audi quattro concept from 2010 Audi PB 18 e-tron from 2018 It’s been 20 years since Audi museum mobile devoted an entire exhibition to design studies. Since then, our guests have repeatedly asked for a revival of this theme – and now the time has come. Concept cars like the Audi quattro Spyder and Audi Avus quattro have returned to our museum, joined by a few studies we’ve never hosted before, such as the Audi e-tron Spyder and the Aztec.” Beyond the concept cars themselves, the exhibition also features special pieces from Audi’s model workshop, offering insights into the creative process behind the designs. Sketches, renderings, and clay models provide a glimpse inside Audi’s creative studio – “showcasing the designers’ ideas, methods, and the journey from vision to form,” - Curator, Stefan FelberUntil July 12th, visitors will have the chance to get upclose and personal with an automotive timeline of distinctive Audi eras at its museum headquarters in Germany. And for those who will not be making a trip to the Audi Forum Ingolstadt, the Audi Tradition App brings the museum to the screen of your smartphone. The Audi Tradition app offers deep dives into historic models through text, audio guides, 360-degree views, and even engine sounds. All Audi Inventory

The New Audi RS 3 Competition Limited Celebrates 50 Years of 5 Cylinders

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 10, 2026

Audi Unveils New RS 3 Competition Limited

Audi has made various unforgettable marks on the history of performance and motorsport, including in the rally world with its quattro all-wheel drive system, and also with its five-cylinder engines. Providing a unique sound experience and compelling performance, five-cylinder engines have been central to Audi’s legacy of performance excellence, and Audi is celebrating 50 years of five-cylinder engines with a limited-edition variant of its current five-cylinder-powered performance car: the RS 3. That is the new Audi RS 3 Competition Limited, and only 750 examples of it will be built. While the 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine is the centerpiece of the RS 3, the Competition Limited variant adds various upgrades to the car to celebrate the five-cylinder’s heritage, which, for Audi, began in 1976 with the Audi 100. The exterior design of the Audi RS 3 has been revised to look sharper in the case of the Competition Limited, with new carbon fiber accents, 19-inch wheels, headlights that animate the engine’s 1-2-4-5-3 cylinder firing pattern with their segments, and an exclusive Malachite Green color. With nearly 400 horsepower going to all four wheels, the Audi RS 3 Competition Limited is small and mighty, with a 0-60 time of under 3.8 seconds, and a top speed of 180 mph. Aside from the formidable performance of the car, especially considering its size, the unique sound of the Audi RS 3 Competition Limited is one of the most important factors of its appeal. Its exhaust system features fully variable flap control, allowing the sound to be throatier in certain modes, while a lack of sound insulation around the firewall means occupants can hear the unique exhaust note more clearly. <- Gallery -> A new rear stabilizer is part of the new Audi RS 3 Competition Limited’s coilover suspension, which works in conjunction with the torque splitter, ceramic brakes, and other features like three-way adjustable shock absorbers, to offer high-performance handling. The interior, meanwhile, features a unique color combination of black, Neodymium Gold, and Ginger White. “RS 3 Competition Limited” lettering can be seen in the door lighting, and the floor mats, while a matte serial number in front of the shifter showcasing its place in a limited production run. The instrument dials have a white background, like the Audi RS 2 Avant, the first RS Audi to have a five-cylinder engine. The limited-edition performance model features a Sonos sound system and is available with Malachite Green, Daytona Gray, and Glacier White exterior colors. European deliveries for the exclusive five-cylinder performance car are set to begin in the middle of 2026, honoring an incredible legacy of half a century of unique performance cars. View All Audi RS 3 For Sale Image Source: Audi

Audi Puts The New RS 5 Through Its Paces In Morocco

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 03, 2026

Audi Drives The New RS 5 In Morocco

The recent unveiling of the new Audi RS 5 has marked a milestone for the iconic German luxury manufacturer. As the first high-performance plug-in hybrid to wear the legendary four rings, the new RS 5 is setting new standards for power, engineering, and performance technology for the brand. A total of 630 horsepower is what lies beneath the new RS 5’s sheet metal, and some truly groundbreaking drivetrain technology is what allows it to be harnessed. However, until now, that’s all been in theory for the general public, who so far have only been able to see what the Audi RS 5 is capable of on paper. Audi decided to change that by bringing the new performance machine to Morocco, where it was able to impressively demonstrate its performance both on the track and in real-world driving conditions. The Circuit de Marrakech served as a gauntlet for its abilities, with tight curves, slaloms, and designated drift zones. The RS 5’s incredible quattro drivetrain with Dynamic Torque Control was showcased in the car’s ability to tackle challenging corners and remain stable at high speeds. Meanwhile, the Atlas Mountains, which lie just beyond the city of Marrakech, offered the Audi RS 5 the opportunity to show off its versatility in everyday driving, along switchback roads where its RS sport suspension provided comfort and confidence, its all-electric driving mode offered quiet, efficient driving, and its overall performance engineering and spirited driving character proved engaging in the mountain passes. With a new, high-tech approach to groundbreaking performance, the new hybrid Audi RS 5 is boldly showing how Audi is shaping the future of luxury performance vehicles. View All Audi RS 5 For Sale <- Gallery -> Image Source: Audi

Audi Becomes The Official Car Partner of Silverstone In New 3-Year Deal

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 24, 2026

Audi Is The Official Car Partner Of Silverstone

The permanent home of the British Grand Prix since 1987, Silverstone Circuit is one of the most iconic British race tracks, if not one of the most iconic tracks in the world, as a Formula 1 staple and a hub for all manner of motorsport. However, a new chapter is beginning for Silverstone as Audi has announced a new three-year deal as the Official Car Partner of the track. With its own cherished legacy in motorsport and a new era on the horizon as a competitor on the Formula 1 grid, Audi’s partnership with Silverstone is another highlight of its commitment to nurturing its cherished racing heritage. As part of the partnership, Audi will provide a fleet of its luxury cars to the track to support VIP transportation during major events like the British Grand Prix, and Audi cars will also be a part of Silverstone Drive Experiences, including the RS 3, which fans will be able to get behind the wheel of to take on the track. Audi will also serve as a Pace Car Partner for Silverstone race events. Silverstone has served as a hub for British motorsport for over 75 years, and Audi’s own motorsport legacy comes from various disciplines like rally, Le Mans, and soon F1 with the Audi Revolut F1 team. With this new three year partnership, both Silverstone and Audi are taking writing a new chapter of motorsport history together seriously. View All Audi For Sale Image Source: Audi

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 19, 2026

Audi Unveils New Hybrid RS 5

Audi’s “RS” prefix has always denoted models with serious performance, whether it’s the five-cylinder Audi RS 3, or the twin-turbo V8-powered Audi RS 6 Avant. However, a new era is dawning for Audi’s RS performance engineering, and it’s starting with a new generation of the Audi RS 5. As Audi has been reimagining its lineup with new combustion and electric platforms, the Audi A5, rather than being the coupe and Sportback of previous generations, is a sedan, and in non-US markets, also an Avant station wagon. Its new pinnacle performance trim is the new Audi RS 5, and globally, both the sedan and the Avant body styles will be offered. We are assuming that the United States will only receive the sedan. Regardless, though, the new Audi RS 5 represents a first for Audi by being a high-performance plug-in hybrid, combining a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with over 500 horsepower with an electric motor for an impressive total of 630 horsepower. The new RS 5 will get from 0-60 in less than 3.6 seconds, all while having roughly 52 miles of all-electric driving range. Hybrid power unlocks new possibilities for the new Audi RS 5 that go beyond power alone. Its quattro drivetrain features something Audi calls “Dynamic Torque Control” in the rear transaxle, making the new Audi RS 5 the world’s first production car to have an electro-mechanical torque vectoring system. This allows torque to be transferred between the rear wheels incredibly flexibly to cater to various driving situations, with recalculations of 200 Hz, or every 5 milliseconds. The groundbreaking handling solution makes driving the new hybrid Audi RS 5 more fun, engaging, and confidence-inspiring than ever before. <- Gallery -> With the available Audi Sport package for the new RS 5, the car gets revised front and rear bumpers, special 21-inch wheels, an RS sport exhaust system, and a raised top speed of 177 mph, along with special exterior colors and interior options. With hybrid power and more high-tech innovation than any Audi RS model before it, the new Audi RS 5 is the harbinger of a new chapter in Audi’s RS legacy. Orders for the new car will be open for European buyers in the first quarter of 2026, with deliveries set to begin in the summer. View All Audi RS 5 For Sale Image Source: Audi

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