Despite already occupying the upper echelons of the high-performance ranks, Audi Sport has found a way to further enhance the driving dynamics, styling and even sound of perennial performance favourites, the RS 4 Avant and the RS 5 models.

Announced in Germany, the new competition packages will further refine ride and handling, interior and exterior design details as well as a new exhaust system and even shave fractions of seconds off already impressive acceleration figures.

The competition and competition plus packages are designed for those who take their high-performance motoring very seriously, and while the everyday comfort and utility of the RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Coupe and RS Sportback remain luxurious, as the name suggests, these are packages born of competition and designed to further hone the dynamic attributes of these acknowledged performance specialists.

The addition of RS sport suspension pro offers manually adjustable coil over suspension for an ideal spread between comfort and performance, the system drops ride height by 10mm from the ‘standard RS 4 and 5 models, as well as allowing further manual adjustment that lowers the vehicle a further 10mm. Add to this a higher spring rate, three-way adjustable dampers and stiffer stabilisers and the already razor-sharp handling and feel goes to another level again.

Then there is the enhanced quattro sport differential, which ensures even greater agility, its new data set in the control unit further emphasising drive to the rear wheels, while the updated software in the transmission control unit when used in combination with the competition packages, makes for reduced shifting times and a noticeably increased spread between the different driving modes.

Experienced at the limit and at an appropriate place to make full use of the increased maximum speed to 290km/h and the performance enthusiast will realise the full benefit of this new suspension system.

Top speed is not the only performance attribute to be further improved, the competition plus package taking 0.2 seconds off the RS 4 Avant’s 0 to 100km/h sprint, bringing it down to 3.9 seconds. Both the RS 5 Coupe and Sportback complete the same distance from standstill in 3.8 seconds – shaving 0.1 seconds from the model series standard time.

Counterbalancing the increased acceleration and top speed, Audi Sport have added newly tuned ABS software, which, working with the RS ceramic brake system and Pirelli P Zero Cross road and track rubber, takes two metres off the stopping distance from 100km/h.

The accompanying soundtrack to these performance refinements comes in the form of the new RS exhaust system plus which produces a throatier exhaust note. In addition, the reduction in insulation between the engine bay and the firewall further enhances the exhaust sound to the cabin while also producing a weight saving of eight kilograms.

Changes have also been made both to the exterior and interior as part of the packages, with gloss black treatment of the four rings on the bonnet and rear, and for the first time for the RS 4 and RS 5, the exterior now comes in a matching crystal effect Sebring Black finish. Customers can also opt for high-sheen competition wheels in Phantom Black or turn the wick right up and go with 20-inch fully milled wheels shod in the aforementioned Pirelli P Zero Corsa high-performance tyres.

Matrix LED headlights with laser light is standard on the Audi RS 5, while the competition Trim package rounds out the Audi RS 4 Avant and Audi RS 5 with the exclusive Carbon Matte Optics Package, with components including the exterior mirrors, front blade, and side flaps as well as the sill extension and rear diffuser trim finished in sporty Carbon matte – all other components shine in black.

Inside, both the competition and competition plus packages boast attractive innovations in the interiors. Seat side panels are finished in high-gloss Piano Black, while an optional Dinamica  and Pearl Nappa combination upgrade is available for the standard RS sport seats. The Dinamica material which is also offered in the Audi RS e-tron GT, is made of 45 percent recycled PET fibres, using around 215 grams of PET fibres in each seat and has the luxurious feel of suede.

Inside and out – and under the skin, these competition packages will will allow customers to add an even sharper performance dimension to these exceptional models when they become available Down Under, continuing the Australian love affair with vehicles at the very top of the performance pyramid.

At time of writing, no date had been set for the introduction of these competition packages to the Australian market. Visit the official Audi Australia site for more information on the Audi RS 4 Avant and the RS 5 models.