Audi's RS badge is back for the flagship of the A5 Coupé range, the RS 5. It comes with a 4.2-litre V8 engine, a £58,725 price tag and can be ordered now.
That V8 is naturally aspirated and supposedly related to the V10 engine fitted to the Audi R8. The hand built unit delivers 450hp at 8,250rpm and peak torque of 430Nm between 4,000- and 6,000rpm. It is claimed that the RS 5 will do 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds with the top speed limited to 155mph, which can be raised to 174mph at extra cost.
Audi has fitted a variety of energy saving measures, including electromechanical power steering, energy recuperation and a high top gear in the seven-speed S tronic transmission. Combined cycle fuel economy is 26.9mpg and CO2 emissions are 246g/km.
Standard equipment includes Bluetooth, DVD satellite navigation and cruise control. The latter can be upgraded to a radar controlled, adaptive system at extra cost. Other options include a sport differential to actively distribute power between the rear wheels, carbon fibre ceramic brake disks and 'dynamic' steering.
The RS 5 can be identified by its revised grille design, more pronounced bonnet contours and new look bumpers at both ends. Wheels are 10-spoke, 19-inch items with 20-inch, titanium-look alloys available as pert of the optional Sport Package. The interior gets a flat-bottomed RS steering wheel and various detail improvements to the gear lever, switches and Multi Media Interface.
The first Audi RS 5s will reach customers in April.
John Lambert - 21 Feb 2012
