Like the Audi RS6 quattro but want a coupe? Well, here is the answer – the Audi RS5, built around Audi's smart coupe. Powered by the 4.2 liter V-8, which is coupled to the seven-speed twin-clutch sequential gearbox, the RS5 is a real stormer, racing to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, which is true supercar country.
Top speed is normally limited to 155 mph, but if you want, you can have the limiter to set to 174 mph. This option is becoming more common in the ultra-fast cars produced by the big car companies.
450 bhp, 7-speed box and low center of gravity
The A5/S5 are certainly much admired for their styling, and so the body is a natural for a high-performance version, not least because the lower center of gravity gives better cornering than the RS6. The engine is the latest version of the 4.2 liter V-8, which develops 450 bhp at a screaming 8,250 rpm.
However, this is the direct injection version, which combines reasonable fuel consumption with a lot of torque. Maximum torque of 317 lb ft (430 Nm) is available below your right foot anywhere from 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. To improve mid-range power, the engine has variable valve timing and tumble flaps in the intake manifold. The tumble flaps increase turbulence at low speed, and this better mixing in the cylinders, which improved fuel consumption.
Other innovations for this year include an oil pump that operates only when needed, thus reducing fuel consumption a mite, while energy recovery on braking and deceleration also helps fuel consumption. This is a feature we can expect to see standard on all high-performance cars in a couple of years.
In other respects, this is similar to the high-performance V-8s Audi has been building for a number of years, and these have established a good reputation for all-round power and reliability.
Latest seven-speed sequential box
To make the most of the power, Audi has coupled the engine to a seven-speed version of the twin-clutch sequential semi-automatic box, which delivers torque to the wheels even when changing gears. It has paddle shifting, with a gear lever as well, while there are three modes of operation, from normal through to full on. When each mode is selected, the engine exhaust note, the steering response and shift points in the gearbox are all altered to suit the driving mode selected.
and the quattro four-wheel drive
Of course, the Audi RS5 drives through the Audi quattro four-wheel drive system, but in this case with a new multi-plate variable centre differential which is based on a crown wheel and pinion gear set. Normally, the engine delivers 40% torque to the front wheels, and 60% to the rear wheels, but as conditions demand, up to 70% could be delivered to the front, or up to 85% to the rear wheels.
In theory, this arrangement ensures that the handling remains sporty, but the large amount of weight at the front will mean the car has a natural tendency to understeer. The quattro system is designed to turn that into neutral. In addition, there is constant monitoring of the slip rate of all wheels, and the electronic torque control prevents wheelspin at an individual wheel. Overall, a very comprehensive system.
To stop the car, there are steel disc brakes as standard, with the option of carbon-ceramic discs at the front. The front calipers have eight pistons.
To reduce roll, the RS is 0.75 inch (20 mm) lower than the S5. It has 19-inch wheels as standard, with 265/35 section tires, and there is an option of 20-inch wheels with 275/35 tires.
Included in the specification is stability control with a sport mode, and the car looks the part with large side air intakes at the front, flared wheelarches, big twin exhausts and a diffuser at the rear. The front is spoiled by a rather corny aluminum pseudo-wing. On the other hand, there is a concealed spoiler that rises to improve downforce at 75 mph (120 km/h).
Overall, an interesting addition to the Audi range. It just slips into the supercar bracket, although the steel body and forward mounted engine mean that it does compete with the best. The kerb (curb) weight of 3,800 lb (1,725 kg) is not too bad for an all-steel car, but could be lighter.
Does that make the RS5 a supercar? With that much power, the sequential gearbox, the low body and four-wheel drive, yes, it does. Purists may object, and certainly this is not in the top flight of supercars, but supercar it is, and a very practical one at that.
