Audi prices RS5 to compete

AUDI Australia is gunning for its two German rivals with its ballistic RS5 Coupe that sprints into local showrooms in December from $156,600 plus on-road costs.

The spicy German two-door costs $7011 less than the $163,611 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe and just $110 less than the $156,710 BMW M4 Competition Coupe, although BMW offers a cut-price version of the M4 for $151,610 but it is down on power compared with the Competition.

Audi’s new-gen RS5 – which was revealed at this year’s Geneva motor show –also costs $666 less than the outgoing model.

According to Audi, the RS5 is the first RS model to be underpinned by the Volkswagen Group MLBevo architecture that also forms the basis of the new Q5, A8, Q7 and A4, as well as the next-gen Porsche Cayenne and Lamborghini Urus.

As a result of the new architecture, the latest RS5 has dropped 60kg compared with its predecessor.

Under the bonnet is a new 2.9-litre V6 TFSI bi-turbo engine delivering 331kW and 600Nm from 1900-5000rpm and while the power output matches the figure from its 4.2-litre V8 predecessor, the torque has increased by 170Nm.

By comparison, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S pumps out 375kW/700Nm and the M4 Competition offers up 331kW/550Nm, while another rival, Lexus’ V8-powered $137,951 RC F, has 351kW/530Nm.

The RS5 completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds – undercutting the Benz and the BMW by 0.1s – and consumes 8.8 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle, while emitting 199g/km of CO2.

The V6 engine is matched with an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission driving all four wheels thanks to Audi’s Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system with a 40:60 front/rear torque split.

A sport differential moves torque to the rear wheel with most traction, which enhances acceleration while cornering, according to Audi.

The RS5 has a five-link front and rear suspension set up which helps improve ride comfort and driving characteristics, while the Drive Select system offers Comfort, Dynamic and Individual modes.

Standard gear includes a gloss black exterior styling package, red brake callipers, LED headlights, panoramic glass sunroof, privacy glass and 20-inch alloy wheels.

It will also feature a Quattro sport rear differential, RS sports exhaust system and Dynamic Ride Control with adaptive dampers, while inside it has the Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, Audi connect, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, DAB+ digital radio and a Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system.

The cabin gains RS Nappa leather sport seats with diamond stitching, a flat-bottomed RS multifunction sport steering wheel, RS logos on the seats, steering wheel, door sill trims and the selector lever and RS displays in the Virtual Cockpit showing information on tyre pressure, torque and g-forces.

Audi is offering Sonoma Green Metallic an exclusive paint for the RS5, while ceramic brakes and dynamic steering with RS-specific tuning will be available as options.