Audi RS 5 Expert Review

Audi has been the largest selling luxury car player in India and the company has been introducing several new products and even their performance edition to carry further its existing lead. Audi as a brand has been aggressive with its sales strategy and dealer expansion. The Ingolstadt-based automaker has been a strong believer in introducing performance edition vehicle and one of their best-sellers has been the RS 5. We get our hands on the updated version of this Audi and share our fun moments.

Design:

The RS 5 had recently received a facelift and the changes are evident. Based on the Audi A5, the RS 5 gets a new headlamp design with a revised LED array too. This styling is similar we have seen on the new Audis and even the RS 5 and A5 gets the same changes— the A5 isn’t sold in India yet. The new front grille of the RS 5 gets a chrome honeycomb mesh and gets a 3D look, this trend started with the Audi A8 that was launched back in 2011. The headlamps resemble a hawk’s eye when looked closely, and these are the new DRGs of all the Audis. The front bumpers too get a revision.

The side profile remains the same, however the five-spoke alloy wheels do look a lot mean than the previous car. These wheels fill the wheel-well and do contribute to the aggressive styling of the RS 5. The wing mirrors still get the brushed aluminium finish and there is the sloping roof that gives it coupe-like styling. The RS 5 doesn’t come in a convertible option, and there is only the coupe version available on this two-door performance car from Audi. The rear doesn’t get many changes as it retains the same styling before it got the facelift. The V8 engine has dual exhausts.

Interior:

To begin with certain facts, the RS 5 is a purely performance bred Audi, it caters to speed than pure luxury and comfort. Hence, do not expect this to be one that will embellish you with its luxury frills. The Audi RS 5’s interior has inch-perfect fit and finish.  The quality of materials used is good and the styling is more on the trendy side than luxury.

The suede and the leather on the bucket seats is well bolstered and the seats cocoon around to be giving you good back, thigh and side support. The RS 5 is a 2+2, and the rear seats are strictly meant for children. The instrument cluster is made of twin dials with information at the centre. The steering wheel and the gear knob are the RS badged ones seen on other RS models. The Audi MMI is also present on the RS 5 like other models from the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer. The aluminium pedals for the foot and behind the steering contribute to the sporty character of the Audi RS 5. The boot too is reasonably large for a coupe. Audi has ensured one can carry luggage for a weekend making it practical too.

Engine and Transmission:

The RS 5 comes plonked with a 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine that produces 450bhp of power and peak torque of 430Nm. This is the same engine that also propels the R8 and is the last of the naturally aspirated engines from Audi. We believe that the next generation will be turbo-charged petrol and possibly even a diesel as Audi has just revealed the specs of its RS 5 TDI with an electric turbocharger.

Crank the engine and you will be welcomed with the loud engine grunt. The RS 5 has a key slot to start the engine. The exhaust note in the Dynamic is a lot more sporty and even the throttle is a lot more responsive. The seven-speed dual clutch box shifts a lot quicker in this mode, and you can feel the jerks when the engine downshifts. This is how exactly a sports car should behave in the sport mode and the Audi RS 5 lives up to its badge.

Push the throttle and you will go back into your seat, the power produced by the RS 5 will create a bellow in your chest and you will be amazed the manner it performs on winding roads or even the highway.

Driving Dynamics:

Audi has been known to have comfort and plush ride and good handling too. The RS 5 despite being a performance edition has pliant ride. Despite the low profile of the tyres, the ride is very much sorted and is perfect for daily city driving too. In comfort mode, it isn’t any different from an A5. This is one character that we love of the RS 5.

Shift to Dynamic mode, and the RS 5 changes its character completely. The throttle response, gear shifts and suspension adjustment is a lot more quicker. The steering wheel weighs up and the tyres obey each of your steering commands. Turn into a corner and the tyres will stick to the ground as if glued permanently and this is ensured by the Quattro system, as the RS 5 doesn’t run out of traction at any given point of time.

Verdict:

The Audi RS 5 is quick and lot of fun to drive on track or highways. But at the same time it is practical and perfect for daily city driving too. The handling is agile and even the ride suppleness is excellent in the comfort mode. In the performance edition coupes, the RS 5 tops our list for recommendation.