Next level performance

After much ongoing speculation, artist’s impressions and AI-generated ‘what ifs’, Audi Sport has revealed the new pinnacle of the A5 range and an all-new interpretation of the venerated RS 5 nameplate. Even to the uninitiated, just a quick glance at the muscular new design in both Sedan and Avant body styles is enough to identify the new RS models, although the design is significantly more aggressive than its forebears. 

More radical still is what’s under that fluted bonnet and pumped guards, with the first plug-in hybrid drivetrain ever used in an RS model, as well as world first quattro with Dynamic Torque Control in the rear transaxle for next level handling to match. Every inch of the new RS 5 has been carefully considered to deliver not just the next generation of Audi Sport performance, but a car that perhaps embodies the ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ nature of the RS models better than any that has come before, blending high-performance with an ability to run purely on electric power.

“The RS 5 and its innovative drive concept mark the beginning of a new era for our RS models,” says Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport.

“They bring a new level of dynamics to the driving characteristics our customers love and further improve day-to-day use value thanks to all-electric driving and innovative technologies. A new interpretation of the true RS experience.”

Significantly pushing the boundaries, this new RS model takes the already svelte A5 body design to new levels, from the darkened Matrix LED lights with digital day-time-running-light signature in a checkered-flag design (familiar from the RS 3), to the pumped-out guards over 20 or 21-inch rims and the redesigned rear diffuser incorporating the huge oval tailpipes. The RS 5 is in fact 90mm wider through the body than a standard A5 with the front dominated by the wide three-dimensional Singleframe with a honey-comb grille and air curtains to control airflow. The design is aggressive yet not overstated, with subtle spoilers on both Sedan and Avant as well as air vents behind the front wheel arches – again reminiscent of the treatment on the RS 3. 

Badging front and rear is likewise subtle, but anyone left in the dark as to this car’s performance heritage and potential simply isn’t paying attention.

Under that taunt skin is the combination of a revised 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 375kW and an electric motor generating 130kW for a total out of up to 470kW and 825Nm of torque – translating to a 3.6 second 0 to 100km/h sprint time in the real world.

The V6 powerplant alone is 44kW more powerful than its predecessor, yet thanks to the magic worked on it by the Audi Sport engineers, also more efficient and uses up to 20 percent less fuel under high loads than its predecessor. 

Then there’s the electric motor which provides extraordinary throttle response and that lightening acceleration off the line, as well as doing away with the need for a 12-volt starter motor. The electric motor and the 400-volt electrical system are powered by a 25.9 kWh (22kWh net) battery aiding in the overall economy of the car and there is also the small matter of more than 80km of all-electric motoring that it provides, giving these RS models unprecedented versatility.

As a plug-in hybrid, the RS 5 achieves a full charge in just 2.5 hours charging at up to 11kW using three-phase alternating current (AC). Given the high-performance nature of the RS, the vehicle holds the state of charge at a high 90 percent while in the RS sport and RS torque rear modes, which allows optimal operation of these high-performance settings.

All of this power goes down to the wheels via an eight-speed transmission paired with a limited-slip centre differential that distributes torque between the two axles depending on the driving situation and allowing power to be split between 70/30 and 15/85 percent.

The new RS 5 also premieres a first for production vehicles with its Dynamic Torque Control in the rear transaxle, upping the ante in the dynamic handling stakes as never before. In a straight line the electro mechanical torque vectoring splits torque evenly between both wheels, but as required it pushes torque to the wheel with the most traction. 

Exiting a corner for example, it shifts torque to the outer wheel to assist in rotating the vehicle and maximising acceleration out of the corner. And because the torque vectoring can be tuned differently for different cornering phases and different drive select modes, it can be optimised for all situations.

Essentially the innovation of quattro with Dynamic Torque Control combines the advantages of a conventional limited-slip diff with that of mechanical torque vectoring systems – without any of the drawbacks, delivering a highly dynamic and controllable system that ensures stability, safety and an engaging driving experience in day-to-day driving and at the limit.

Add to this equation the RS sport suspension with twin-valve shock absorbers, RS-tuned steering, 20-inch or 21-inch wheels and steel or ceramic brakes and the overall package is nothing short of superb. In standard trim, the aforementioned brakes are high-performance steel units with a diameter of 420mm at the front and 400mm at the rear with a choice of black or red calipers.

These fill the standard 20-inch rims, but 21-inch forged RS wheels are also available, as are 21-inch RS ceramic brakes with disks measuring 440mm at the front and 410mm at the rear with black and red calipers. The ceramic brakes weigh 30kg lighter than the steel units, and in a first for the segment, ceramic discs are also fitted on the vehicle’s rear.

Individualised driving modes have also been developed to allow the driver to take full advantage of the enormous performance and handling characteristics of the RS 5, while full power is also available at the push of a button thanks to a special boost function. This allows the deployment of full power for 10 seconds with the vehicle automatically selecting the perfect gear for instant, direct and dynamic acceleration.

Drivers can select between comfort, balanced, dynamic and the RS-specific modes depending on the situation, the road and their mode, transforming the RS 5 from a silent city car to a rear-biased performance specialist. 

The RS 5 also features the new Audi driving experience function which enables users to view detailed analysis of the routes driven, displayed on the 14.5-inch MMI touch display. At the racetrack, they can also analyse and store sector times and when using the drive select RS torque rear mode, the system also offers statistics such as the drift angle achieved.

With this system, even on a new or private track the car automatically creates new track profiles based on a recorded lap, allowing the driver to also set up individual sectors and compare them later with previous laps – including split times and analysis of individual track segments in terms of lateral acceleration and other parameters. For those really into their track experiences, journeys can be captured on video with an optional dashcam which is discreetly integrated into the rearview mirror, visually capturing highlights and driving achievements.

But juxtaposed with this high-performance orientation, the new RS 5 shows its ‘softer’ side with its ability to run completely on electric power for over 80km as well as functions like being able to select predictive operating strategies to optimise the use of the battery for an upcoming trip – covering city driving and traffic jams on electric power for maximum efficiency and reduced emissions.

Of course the RS 5 also delivers an extraordinary interior and passenger experience, with the very latest in connectivity and infotainment contained with a beautifully finished cabin with an emphasis on sophistication with a distinctly sporting feel. Technology has been perfectly balanced with luxurious design and finishes. The free-standing Audi MMI Panorama display shows the most important information at a glance, working in concert with the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit.

Customers can choose from five distinct interior designs including the leather-free base interior which features sport seats plus with Cascade cloth on the centre seat panels made from recycled polyester. Another recycled material, Dinamica, (a microfiber material that looks and feels like suede) is also used extensively throughout a number of the interiors. Various decorative inlays are also available, from open-pore carbon micro twill, matte brushed aluminium with linear embossing in anthracite, and – exclusive to the RS-model – aluminium rhombus in black lacquer.

From the honeycomb quilting on the RS sports front seats with their electric adjustment and massage function to the full-length colour-co-ordinated seat belts, multi-function wheel with flat top and bottom, ambient interior lighting and extraordinary attention to detail in every respect – the interior perfectly mirrors the sporty exterior. Subtle yet impressive.

Indeed the RS 5 is impressive in its entirety, but for those looking to take things even further, an Audi Sport Package will be offered featuring a number of exterior and interior changes as well as increasing the governed top speed from 250km/h to 285km/h. The package includes bespoke, dynamic front and rear bumpers as well as two-tone diamond-cut phantom black 21-inch wheels with matte accents. An RS sport exhaust system with matte black tailpipes further enhances the RS 5’s exhaust note, while package-specific colours like Bedford green metallic work perfectly with the likes of the exclusive bronze coloured ceramic brake system – a colour combination that can be mirrored in the interior with the brass-coloured accents and contrast stitching in Serpentine green. 

The new Carbon Camouflage package is also exclusively available in conjunction with the Audi Sport package, featuring exterior wings on the front fascia, inserts in the side sills and rear fascia, plus exterior mirror housings all in forged carbon. Inside too, the decorative inlays are also executed in matte Carbon Camouflage for a unique finish.

Optionally, the Audi Sport package can be combined with different interiors and 21-inch wheels, giving customers tremendous range to customise the look of their vehicle. 

Regardless of the final combinations, the all-new RS 5 makes a bold statement and backs it up with next level performance and handling that pushes the envelope of what’s possible. The versatility offered up by the car’s ability to operate on all-electric power only enhances the RS ethos of high-performance vehicles that can be driven daily and in real world situations as well as at the limit. Its array of new technologies, all aimed at improving and refining the performance and driving dynamics represent an exciting new chapter for the Audi Sport. At time of writing, an arrival date for the RS 5’s Australian arrival was yet to be concerned, but for performance enthusiasts Down Under, this is most certainly one to look forward to.