A classically elegant coupé with a breathtakingly powerful engine, the Audi RS 5 Coupé debuts in South Africa this month as the latest member of the exclusive, ultra-high performance RS club.
The RS 5 Coupé has an athletic stance, enhanced by the trademark single-frame Audi grille, which gets a glossy anthracite-gray rhombus-pattern grid. Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights are a further standard feature, while larger air intakes ensure more efficient airflow, and emphasis the coupé’s uncompromisingly sporty presence. The flared rear side elements with the sharp horizontal upper edges are classic Audi elements reminiscent of the legendary 1980s all-wheel drive pioneer, the Audi quattro. The side sills are finished with chiseled caps, while the trim strips and the side mirror housings feature a matt aluminium-look finish. The rear view is dominated by twin oval exhaust tailpipes, exiting via a neatly integrated bumper. The prominent presence of a large diffuser is a further, unmistakable indication of the RS 5 coupé’s performance intentions.
Inside, the standard sport seats with integrated headrests are electrically adjustable and upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara. Alternatives include lightweight bucket seats with folding backrests for hard-core enthusiasts, or ventilated and luxuriously upholstered climate-controlled comfort seats for those who place a premium on life’s little luxuries. The instruments feature black dials and white markings, specifically calibrated to reflect the RS 5 Coupé’s performance potential. The driver information system, complete with colour display, also includes a lap timer and an oil temperature gauge. Various carbon fibre inlays and the fascia framing the instrument cluster sports a piano-black lacquer finish.
The newcomer’s high-revving 4.2-litre V8 is closely related to the V10 that powers the R8 high-performance sports car and pumps out 331 kW at 8 250 r/min, with peak torque of 430 Nm available between 4 000 and 6 000 r/min. The V8 catapults the two-door model from 0 – 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds on its way to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h, which can be increased to 280 km/h on request.
The normally aspirated engine consumes just 10.8 l/100km on average – significantly less than its key competitors. With a tall top gear, the standard seven-speed S tronic gearbox also contributes to the car’s frugal fuel economy. The lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission can be allowed to change gear automatically, although most drivers will opt for the manual shift mode, using either the selector lever’s sequential action, or the shift paddles on the steering wheel column.
Like all high-performance models in the Audi stable, the RS 5 Coupé delivers its power to the road via all four wheels. However, a new, evolutionary version of Audi’s seminal quattro permanent all-wheel drive is deployed in the new coupé for the first time. The crown-gear centre differential is extremely compact and lightweight. Up to 70 percent of the torque can be channelled to the front axle, or as much as 85 percent to the rear, when necessary. The default 40:60 ratio of the rear-biased configuration continues to ensure sporty handling.
The chassis of the RS 5 Coupé has been tuned for taut, immediate responses. Compared to the standard A5, the ride height has been reduced by 20 mm, while the high-performance coupé is fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels and 265/35-series tyres as standard.
The braking system uses large, internally ventilated discs with perforated steel friction rings that are linked with pins to the aluminium brake cap. The front callipers feature 8-pistons and both front and rear callipers are finished in high-gloss black. The ESP stability control system includes a Sport mode and can also be completely deactivated.
The Audi RS 5 Coupé is fitted with the drive select driving dynamics system as standard. This system allows the driver to select between three modes – comfort, auto, and dynamic. In each mode, the characteristics of the power-assisted steering, the shift speed of the S tronic gearbox, the throttle mapping and the exhaust system are altered accordingly. There is also a fourth mode, which allows the driver to choose individual settings.
| Prices | |
| Audi RS 5 Coupé 4.2 FSI | R907 540 |
The price includes a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan, as well as a 3-year/100 000 km warranty.
Related posts:
