PERFORMANCE COUPÉ, AUDI RS5

PERFORMANCE COUPÉ, AUDI RS5. The new Audi RS5 is perhaps the truest descendant yet of the brand’s legendary Quattro that gripped and ripped through world rally stages in the early ’80s, and helped popularise all-wheel drive in conventional passenger cars. Like the original (‘Ur’) Quattro, the RS5 embodies the eponymous ‘quattro’ all-wheel-drive system, a two-door body and now – with this second-generation model – turbocharging. Two turbos, to be precise, nestled “cold side” between the banks of a 2.9-litre V6. The engine, co-developed with Porsche, matches the 331kW output of the previous-generation RS5’s 4.2-litre V8, but increases torque significantly – by 40 per cent, to 600Nm. Combined with a new architecture that cuts 60kg from the vehicle’s mass, the RS5 moves from idle to 100km/h six-tenths of a second faster (3.9 seconds), while also improving fuel efficiency.

former Porsche 911 GT3 owner and regular Robb Report US reader, also welcomed the quattro system, though she wasn’t alone in noting the need to manage the RS5’s tendency to understeer when pushed hard – including on a dry track. PERFORMANCE COUPÉ AUDI RS5 “All-wheel drive provided confidence in the wet, though the RS5 has handling limitations,” Leticia said. The limitations include a busy ride, which was highlighted during the road drive, and rather lifeless steering. Robb Report Editor in Chief Michael Stahl found the RS5 started to lose its cohesiveness beyond about seven-tenths driving rigour, though he remarked on the Audi’s ability to bring immense owner satisfaction on a daily basis.

“It is syrupy-fast – able to enliven the daily commute with frissons of accelerative excitement that’ll sometimes have you choosing the long way home,” said Michael. “It’s a very stylish, assertive, everyday coupé, with one of the nicest interiors of anything on the market.” As a package blending a sophisticated cabin, assured traction and scintillating pace, it’s understandable why the BMW M4 and Mercedes-AMG C63 are no longer the obvious go-to German muscle-car coupés. – JEZ SPINKS

Engine
2.9-litre V6 twin-turbo
Power/torque
331kW/600Nm
Transmission
Eight-speed automatic; all-wheel drive
Weight
1655kg
Performance
0-100km/h in 3.9 sec; Maximum speed 250-280km/h

Price
$156,600 (as tested $179,346)

Sources: Robb Report Australia, July 2018