Inside the Audi RS 5 Launch at Archibalds Audi
As winter gives way to spring, there is a sense of change in the air. But this September, there’s another change taking place at Archibalds Audi.
Audi Sport has entered a new era with the all-new Audi RS 5, its first high-performance plug-in hybrid. Before its official arrival in New Zealand, the RS 5 Avant embarked on a nationwide roadshow, giving Audi customers and enthusiasts the opportunity to see the latest RS model in person.
When the roadshow arrived at Archibalds Audi from 4–14 September, we marked the occasion with an evening of our own, welcoming customers, friends of Archibalds and members of Christchurch’s professional community for an exclusive first look.
A little like a speakeasy
From the outside, Friday evening at Archibalds Audi looked almost completely unassuming. The showroom was closed. The street was quiet. Unless you knew what was happening inside, there was little to suggest anything was going on.
It felt almost like a speakeasy. You had to know where to go, and you had to be invited.
Behind the front doors, guests were greeted by five generations of RS models, each representing a different chapter in Audi Sport’s history. Among them was the new RS 5 Sedan, sitting beneath a cover and waiting to be revealed.
But the Sedan wasn’t the only RS 5 waiting that evening. The real experience was waiting upstairs.
As guests made their way up the stairs, the atmosphere changed. Music filled the showroom while red and white lighting illuminated the space. At the top of the staircase, an animated projection of the Audi rings and RS 5 logo moved across the ceiling, setting the tone for what was to come.
Guests were welcomed with a drink before entering an upstairs showroom that had been completely transformed for the evening.
The usual showroom environment had disappeared behind curtains, creating a more intimate and immersive setting. A bar served drinks throughout the evening, while Crisp & Vale provided a selection of canapés, served by tray service as guests mingled and explored the space.
And at the centre of it all sat another covered car.
The RS 5 Avant.
Having travelled around New Zealand as part of Audi’s nationwide roadshow, it had arrived at Archibalds Audi ready to meet Christchurch. But for now, it remained beneath its cover.
The anticipation was building.
A new chapter for RS
For the uninitiated, RS stands for RennSport, or “racing sport”. It represents the highest level of performance within Audi’s model range, bringing motorsport-inspired engineering and technology into cars designed for the road.
Over the years, RS has become synonymous with performance, distinctive design and everyday usability.
The new RS 5 carries that legacy forward, while introducing something entirely new.
As Audi Sport’s first high-performance plug-in hybrid, it pairs a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 with a 130 kW electric motor. Together, they produce 470 kW and 825 Nm, with the RS 5 capable of accelerating from 0–100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds.
It is a significant step for Audi Sport, combining the character and performance expected of an RS with the benefits of electrification.
From Audi New Zealand to Christchurch
With guests settled in and the RS 5 still under cover, it was time to hear more about what Audi has in store.
Andrew Hale, Archibalds Audi Brand Manager, welcomed guests before introducing Ben Dallas, National Sales Manager at Audi New Zealand, and Ina Economopoulos, National Sales and Product Planning Manager at Audi New Zealand.
Ben spoke to the excitement surrounding Audi and the direction the brand is heading, while Ina took guests through the specifics of the new RS 5, giving some insight into the thinking and technology behind Audi Sport’s latest model.
A Q&A followed, giving guests the opportunity to ask questions and delve a little deeper into the car. The level of engagement in the room was clear, with genuine interest in both the RS 5 itself and what this new generation of performance means for Audi.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
The reveal
The music began to build.
The lights flashed.
And, after much anticipation, the cover was whipped away to reveal the RS 5 Avant for the first time.
Low, wide and unmistakably RS, the new Avant looked every bit the performance car guests had been waiting to see. Its design is purposeful without being excessive, bringing a distinctly modern interpretation to the familiar RS character.
With the reveal complete, guests were able to get up close with the car, explore the details and step inside.
There was plenty to discover, from the RS-specific interior details and sports seats to Audi’s latest digital technology. The driver-focused cockpit brings together the information, controls and performance-focused features you’d expect from an RS, while retaining the clean, considered feel that defines the wider Audi interior.
For many guests, it was their first opportunity to see the new RS 5 in person, making the chance to sit inside, examine the details and experience the car up close a highlight of the evening.
