Grand tourer

The power delivery is instantaneous, the muted rumble from the 2.9 TFSI V6 biturbo becomes a full blown roar and the landscape outside the car becomes a blur. As the speed on the virtual cockpit climbs higher, the all-new Audi RS 5 Sportback doesn’t so much as raise a sweat, remaining perfectly planted, a feeling of complete composure as the newest star from Audi Sport gobbles up mile after mile of classic Australian B roads.

The coming of any new RS offering is always a cause for celebration, but the RS 5 Sportback is a completely new model from Audi Sport, combining the performance and handling of the RS 5 Coupe with the comfort and indeed practicality of a five-door. This is a marriage made in heaven, the classic styling of the Coupe melding seamlessly into the Sportback configuration, retaining an unmistakable coupe-like line that just – works. This is a car with its own character and presence as opposed to a ‘stretched’ version of the coupe model, and while visual appeal is a very personal thing, the argument as to which, the Coupe or the Sportback, is the more attractive package will make for some lively debate amongst car enthusiasts.

Certainly there’s no mistaking the presence of the Coupe on which the Sportback is based. Present are the taunt surfaces and sharp creases on the sweeping bonnet – a more aggressive take on the original A5 shape that then Audi design Tsar, Walter de Silva called ‘the most beautiful car he had ever designed’. That DNA is obvious in the RS 5 Sportback, albeit with a more contemporary skew and one that catches the eye in traffic, but doesn’t scream ‘look at me’.

Low, wide and impressive even when parked, the RS 5 Sportback is obviously a performance car even to those not familiar with its origins. Swelled guards are a nod to quattro and the brand’s racing heritage as well as practical considerations to house the 20-inch wheels. Likewise the large air intakes on either side of the wide Singleframe grille also serve a practical purpose – that of allowing greater airflow – as well as paying homage to the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO which is apparent in multiple details.

So while the idea and styling of a coupe are retained, the five-door configuration and 59mm additional length translate to a different experience than in the Coupe. The benefits to passengers are obvious, the additional wheelbase providing significantly more room in the stunning cabin which now provides luxurious accommodation for up to five adults (four is optimal for long trips) as well as generous luggage storage (15 litres more the RS 5 Coupe). Yet despite the practicalities which are a part of the modern life, the RS 5 Sportback remains a high-performance sportscar that is ridiculously quick and surefooted regardless of the road surface or the conditions. 

The aforementioned 2.9 TFSI V6 is a work of art, producing 331kW of power and a whopping 600Nm of torque that’s available from 1950rpm through to 5000rpm. That seemingly endless urge needs to be felt to be truly appreciated, as the RS 5 Sportback surges from standstill to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. Turbo lag doesn’t exist and the power is just there whenever it’s required, pushing you and your passengers back into the RS sport seats.

Mated to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission, the driver has the option of letting the car take care of the gear changes or opting instead to change using the paddles on the flat-bottom, multi-function wheel. Drive is put down to all four wheels via the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system that is a hallmark of all RS models. Drive is split 40:60 to the front and rear axles, but the sport differential can alter the split in an instant, transferring more drive to the rear under hard cornering. This, combined with a sports tuned five-link suspension result is a car that is not only blindingly fast in a straight line, but hunkers down through the bends and corners as if it were on rails – to use a tired, but particularly apt expression in this case.

The RS 5 Sportback is enormously rewarding to drive and frankly so good that it makes it seem all too easy. Driving across country from Canberra to Bathurst for the 12 hour race (fittingly), it was completely at home on the country roads, effortlessly accelerating past slow traffic and stretching its legs as much as the arcane speed limits will allow. This is truly a grand tourer in the real sense, a car that is both supremely luxurious and comfortable for all inside, and yet engaging the driver and essentially shrinking around him or her should they decide to push on.

And yet this is no diminutive two-seater, but a fully fledged luxury conveyance with more standard equipment than there’s room to list here. The Audi RS interior is superb – as you would expect – from the diamond-stitched RS sports seats in fine Nappa leather, to the beautifully integrated inlays (carbon in this case) and trim that speaks to the absolute attention to detail throughout. 

Also seamlessly integrated into the cabin is the state-of-the-art tech and infotainment. A heads-up display as standard is a superb inclusion in a car like this, while the virtual cockpit includes such RS-specific features as tyre pressure, torque readout and g-forces – you’ll feel those when you decide to push this car and it’s interesting to see just what’s being generated.

Other wonderful experiences for RS 5 occupants include – heated front seats that offer a superb massage function, three-zone climate control of course and colour interior lighting package with 30 different ambient lighting choices and five colour profiles. Wireless mobile charging is standard as is Audi connect, the sublime Bang & Olufsen 3D sound as well as panoramic sunroof and privacy glass to mention just some of the myriad inclusions.

The list goes on, as does the list of integrated driver assistance and safety systems, waiting quietly but attentively behind the scenes should they ever be called upon to act. Here the list really is too long to go through, but think everything from adaptive cruise control to Audi pre-sense front, side assist, collision avoidance assist, cross traffic assist, exit warning, turn assist … you get the idea.

Leading-edge tech aside, the new RS 5 Sportback is a car that you will want to drive or be driven in as often as possible and as far as possible. Obviously you’ll smile widest out on the open road or better still where the landscape throws some curves in and topographical variations to keep things interesting, but even in the confines of the city, the RS 5 Sportback is a glorious place to be. With the arrival of the RS 5 Sportback, the tradition of grand tourers is not only alive and well, but absolutely thriving.