The designation of RS on any Audi model is a sign of prestige performance with power enough to blow the hats of pedestrians as it passes by. To date, these vehicles have followed the ‘shock and awe’ principle of motoring, but these days we live in different times. As drivers we have to accept that the environment and efficiency come first so it’s a big, but beautiful surprise to learn that the RS logo is not going away, it’s just going hybrid.
Introducing the new Audi RS 5 in saloon and Avant (estate car / station wagon) form. This German built rocket is unmistakably RS, with wider body work, darkened Matrix LED headlights, a RS sport exhaust system with nostrils wider than King Kong’s and to cap it all, bold interior details.
This is Audi Sport’s first-ever high-performance plug-in hybrid and it boasts 630BHP (470 kW / 639 PS) of system output that reaches a top speed of 177mph, and covers day-to-day driving on electric power alone. Further, this car is the world’s first ‘quattro’ (all-wheel-drive) with ‘Dynamic Torque Control’ in the rear trans-axle which brings handling to a new level.
The Power
As a new and premium model, the RS 5 marks Audi Sport’s entry into the world of plug-in hybrids. A modular high-performance power-train propels the muscular model. At its heart are an improved 2.9 litre twin-turbo V6 and an electric motor outputting 130 kW, which itself is integrated into the hybridised eight-speed gearbox, coupled to a completely new rear trans-axle. The latter enables electro-mechanical torque vectoring which offers especially fast and precise torque distribution, thus ensuring maximum driving dynamics.
The Exterior
The Audi RS 5 is a purist’s powerhouse: With a long wheelbase, large wheels and a low body, the RS 5 always looks ready to pounce. The Saloon with its coupé-like silhouette is a glorious mix of design and functionality. The compact cabin seamlessly flows into the shallow rear window and what appears to be a short boot lid with a striking duck-tail. In actual fact, the shallow rear window is part of the boot (trunk) lid – creating plenty of space for loading and unloading. This design makes dynamics visible and increases practicality.
Just like its famous ancestors, the new RS 5 features a typical RS-build. Compared to the base model A5, it has been widened by four centimetres on either side both front and rear. The ‘Singleframe’ grille with a three-dimensional honey-comb design dominates the front. A dark mask links it to the Air Curtains that control airflow around the front wheels, underlining the design’s functional aspects. Air vents in front of and behind the bumpers (fenders) underline the model’s strong presence. Powerful sculpted wheel cutouts purposefully protrude from the shoulder line – a clear homage to the original and legendary Audi ‘Ur-quattro’ and an unmistakable trait of the RS DNA.
The rear impresses with a strongly modelled diffuser featuring vertical fins for maximum aerodynamics. The RS exhaust system’s
tips are centrally positioned and have matte oval tail pipes. The exhaust system was developed from scratch. Its valves can open to any position, creating the right soundtrack for each driving mode. In a nod to the motor-sport heritage of the RS 5, a red reflector is vertically placed in the centre of the diffuser.
The Drive
As an RS aficionado, this writer can attest to the fact that none of the merits of the badge have been sacrificed. It’s just a bit cleaner and a bit more economical. Full power is available at the push of a button thanks to the boost function. Press it, and the performance hybrid deploys maximum acceleration for 10 seconds; perfect for quick overtakes.
When the function is activated, the gearbox selects the perfect gear to ensure instant, direct, and dynamic acceleration. A countdown in the driver information display shows how much of the 10 seconds of boost remains. Afterwards, the system returns to the previously selected driving mode. Indeed, the function can be triggered while any drive select mode is active. When the boost button is pressed during all-electric driving, the 2.9-litre V6 TFSI engine is instantly ready to offer the car’s full power potential. At the same time, the exhaust valves open for an extra emotional sound experience.
Drive Modes
The Audi ‘drive select’ modes cover an exceptional range of characteristics. Between comfort, balanced, dynamic and the RS-specific modes, they ensure true versatility. All-electric driving is available in comfort and balanced mode to ensure whisper-quiet travel in town and even on longer distances, while driving feels decidedly harmonious and handling on corner exits remains neutral.
At the touch of a button, the RS 5 transforms from relaxing travel companion to a rear-wheel drive biased complete canyon carver. Its dynamics can be precisely controlled; from neutral to intentional oversteer. In dynamic mode, the RS 5 responds even more directly and immediately to steering and throttle inputs. In testing, the car remains neutral off centre, while a noticeable rear bias at corner exit ensures particularly dynamic acceleration.
The RS torque rear mode, on this model for the first time incidentally, stands for maximum rear bias and controlled drifts (on closed courses, obviously). In this driving mode, a particularly high proportion of torque is directed to the outside rear wheel. This makes the RS 5 feel extremely agile and playful while maintaining full control and manageability.
The RS sport mode stands for maximum propulsion without any thought of compromise. The neutral handling characteristics are specifically tuned for enormous lateral acceleration. As a result, the vehicle remains particularly agile in corners and precisely controllable with the highest traction on corner exit, even at high speeds and during dynamic driving manoeuvres. In RS individual mode, the RS 5 can be tailored entirely to personal preferences.
In true RS fashion, gear changes in dynamic, ‘RS Sport’, and ‘RS torque rear’ are quick, precise, and forceful. This car is much a family wagon as it is a force of automotive nature.
A Premium Interior
Typically Audi, the cockpit in the RS 5 is an ultra-modern, driver-oriented centre of excellence. At its heart is the slim, free-standing Audi multi media interface (MMI) Panorama display that shows the most important information at a glance. It is made up of the 11.9 inch Audi virtual cockpit and the 14.5 inch MMI Touch Display, has a curved design, and is powered by OLED technology. A 10.9 inch passenger display is standard fit and further augments the digital experience. It allows passengers to help drivers operate vehicle and navigation functions – or they can just enjoy their own entertainment spanning from media content to interactive features.
The Audi virtual cockpit offers sporting dials tailored to the RS 5 that display engine revolutions, speed, and a shift light. Keen drivers can also access performance data like G forces, temperatures and pressures for individual tires, lap times, as well as detailed information to the drivetrain, power, and acceleration. The configurable head-up display brings information even closer. It projects data such as engine revolutions, speed, and the current gear onto the wind shield – styled as a dial if the driver likes it that way. The shift indicator is a special focus, precisely visualising the ideal moment to change up. The head-up display can also show acceleration and a launch control guide.
The 14.5 inch MMI touch display of the RS 5 not only houses the well-established comfort and infotainment functions from the A5 model series but also elevates the driving experience to a new level. Being a plug-in hybrid, the model displays a detailed real-time representation of energy flows – both under acceleration and regenerative braking. The temperatures of tyres, the transmission, the rear trans-axle, and the battery can also be shown.
Up front, sport seats ‘plus’ with honeycomb quilting provide not only exceptional lateral support but also deliver outstanding comfort on extended drives. Electric adjustments and standard massage functionality ensure driver and passenger satisfaction on every journey. The instrument panel, armrests, and door trim are executed in soft ‘Dinamica’ microfibre in black. The flat-bottom RS steering wheel matches the interior and is wrapped in perforated Nappa leather with a colour-coordinated top-dead-centre marker in smooth leather. The clasp on the lower spoke is finished in red. Integrated RS satellite controls on the steering wheel enable direct selection of RS drive modes and activation of the boost function. Needless to say, this being an Audi, the full complement of safety and infotainment equipment is all aboard. Few interiors can match those from this prestige German car manufacturer.
This new car to market will be available to order early Summer. In the meantime a selection of fine RS-badged Audi performance cars are available for export from MHH International, the leaders in the field of vehicle exports from the UK. You can see the current stock, among many Audi variants to suit all purposes, on these pages. MHH International serve many global destinations including New Zealand and Kenya, offering many new and used prestige cars from a wide selection of premium car makers. Find out more on the website.
