New EV Launches: Slate Auto Preorders and Audi RS5 PHEV First Drive

The electric vehicle landscape heats up with two major announcements. Slate Auto has confirmed it will announce pricing and begin taking preorders for its first EV on June 24, signaling a new entrant into the competitive market. Meanwhile, Audi has revealed detailed first-drive impressions of the 2027 RS5, a performance plug-in hybrid that combines a turbocharged V6 with an electric motor.

The Audi RS5 PHEV produces a combined 630 hp (470 kW) and 609 lb-ft (825 Nm) of torque, thanks to a 2.9-liter V6 with variable-geometry turbochargers and a 174 hp electric motor. A 22 kWh battery provides an estimated 50 miles of electric-only range, and a new Dynamic Torque Control rear differential—using an electric motor and planetary gears—enables rapid torque vectoring for improved handling. On the road, the RS5 offers a refined, all-weather experience, but on track it transforms into a playful rear-drive-biased machine. The interior features high-quality materials, and pricing is expected to start around $100,000 when it goes on sale in the US next year.

Slate Auto’s upcoming EV preorder event on June 24 will mark a key milestone for the company, though specific details about the vehicle’s specs and pricing remain under wraps. With both developments, the EV market continues to expand, offering consumers more choices from established automakers and new startups alike.