The exciting arrival at Geneva of the Audi RS5 signalled the start of what could become a very competitive segment with the likes of the BMW M3 now under increasing competition.
The exciting arrival at Geneva in 2010 of the Audi RS5 signalled the start of what has become a very competitive segment with the likes of the BMW M3 now under increasing competition. The New RS5 uses a more powerful and a higher revving version of the companies R8 4.2-litre V8 engine, that is able to produce an improvement of some 30bhp. The V8 unit is now able to produce some 444bhp with full power available at the maximum red line limit of 8250rpm. The torque, some 318lb ft comes at around 4000rpm, with the engine able to propel the RS5 from 0-62mph in just 4.6 seconds. The cars top speed is electronically limited to 155mph, but when de-restricted the car can reach an impressive 174mph.
Audi will offer its seven-speed S-tronic transmission as standard and this will be the first time this reinforced DSG unit has appeared in an RS model. Car leasing customers will also get the latest version of Audi's all-wheel drive quattro system. This new system features a new kind of centre differential that is able to direct up to 85 per cent of the torque to the rear axle or 70 per cent to the front. For normal driving conditions the system sits at 40/60 front to rear and you will also be able to turn the ESP system off all together.
An addition to the RS5 will be the Dynamic Ride Control adaptive damping system that is used on the RS6. This allows drivers to chose between four modes; comfort, Auto, Dynamic or a custom mode set up by the driver.
The RS5 sits some 20mm lower to the road than a normal A5 and also comes with 19-inch wheels as standard. There is also the option of not only 20-inch wheels but car leasing customers can also opt for a set of carbon-ceramic brakes as well. There is a newly designed front splitter that has a bigger air intake and Audi has also fitted twin tailpipes at the rear, which ads to the cars over all good looks.
The RS5 is reached UK showrooms in October and although priced a little higher than the M3 it brings a lot to the segment and will offer a huge amount of competition.