First drive: Audi RS5

 

The Audi RS5’s V8 spins so smoothly and so damned swiftly to its power peak of more than 8000rpm, it’s no surprise to learn that its creators have chosen not to boost the engine performance of the sports coupe during a mid-life massage.
A not inconsiderable 331kW of power with 430Nm of torque from the aurally dramatic, high-revving 4.2-litre was more than adequate, the engineers and marketers agreed.
Instead Audi has instead concentrated on some important engineering updates including electromechanical steering – a move that has transformed the way the RS5 feels from behind the wheel.

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In the world of luxury performance cars, power and fashion go hand in glove and, complementing the engineering tweaks, the RS5 gets more aggressive, contemporary styling front and rear which give the coupe a meaner on-road presence.
But best of all, Audi is now offering much more for $13,400 less. The updated RS5 is now a keen $161,900 (plus on-road costs), a price that reflects the extreme competitiveness of the luxury sports market in Australia. Audi’s German rivals have been enhancing the value of their products and so the Ingolstadt car-maker has been compelled to follow suit.
The RS5 Coupe has always been a good-looking, hugely competent, dynamically impressive and safe mode of very fast transport. Now it is even more satisfying with the bonus of improved value.
While the new electromechanical steering mightn’t sound like a terribly sexy subject it is the highlight of the mid-life spruce up, and a revelation after the oft-criticised steering of the earlier RS5s. Now the wheel is a precision instrument, lifting the RS5’s already impressive road manners thanks to a much more communicative and direct feel.
Additionally, the driver can quickly and simply dial-in preferences via Audi’s Drive Select, nominating steering, throttle and gearbox characteristics to suit either a lazy drive or more spirited progress.
In Dynamic mode, the steering firms up, the gearbox and accelerator pedal react like lightning, and the exhaust note becomes louder and more evocative. Even with the stability control system switched off, the RS5 ignores efforts to encourage it to get wilful, changing direction easily and without noticeable body roll and pitch.
Zero to 100km/h zooms up in 4.5 seconds – 0.1sec faster than before, due to the dual-clutch seven-speed S tronic gearbox’s swifter responses.  In Sport mode and using the paddle shifts, the gear changes are both instant and smooth, a neat trick. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h but, if you ask nicely, the kind Audi tech people will raise this to 280km/h.
Complementing the accelerative performance of the RS5 are the brakes with their huge internally vented rotors and stunning cornering grip and balance aided by lower and firmer suspension tune, fat low-profile rubber on new standard 10-spoke 19-inch alloys (or optional 20-inch wheels) and (like all RS models) the latest permanent all-wheel-drive system. The Quattro AWD system comes in the latest evolutionary stage with self-locking centre differential and torque vectoring.
A front carbon fibre-ceramic brake package is also available for those who like to do a little track work or who merely like the best of everything.
The new steering system brings another practical benefit: it contributed a saving of 0.3litres/100km to fuel efficiency, leaving the RS5 at an official average of 10.5L/100km, an impressive number for car of this type.
Most striking are new wedge-shaped xenon-plus headlights including narrower LED strips for daytime running illumination. Top corners of the single-frame grille are bevelled while sharper edge lines give the bonnet an even more sculpted look. LED taillights and the rear bumper have also been redesigned.
Inside, the updates continue; they include the leather-wrapped RS5 flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, redesigned controls, upgraded navigation and audio features including Bluetooth audio streaming, and Attention Assist, a feature which alerts the driver if they lose concentration.
Black trim throughout gets standard carbon inlays. Aluminium, piano finish or stainless-steel mesh are available optionally.
To allow enthusiast drivers to extract even more from the new RS5, two special Dynamic Sports packages are offered. Both include Sports Suspension Plus with Dynamic Ride Control, the wild Sports Exhaust system with blackened tail pipe trims and a choice of bigger 20-inch alloy wheels in two styles.  The price of each pack is $4990.
The updated RS5 completes the revisions across the complete range - the A5 Coupe, Sportback and Cabriolet were all comprehensively updated in May.
To date, 225 of the current RS5 have been sold since its launch in 2010. Audi holds about 50 orders for the upgraded model which is to be launched later this month.

Nuts and bolts

How much? $161,900 plus on road costs
Engine: 4.2-litre V8 FSI petrol
Transmission: 7-sp dual-clutch manual
Power:  331kW@8250rpm
Torque: 430Nm@4000-6000rpm
Weight:  1715kg
Consumption: 10.5L/100km