Audi RS5

Coupe loses cylinders, but gains new GT identity

- Nic Cackett

BEFORE we talk about the new RS5, we’d be remiss not to sound a rhetoric last post at the departure of the old model. Not because it was particularly good overall, but rather because it was the final refuge of Ingolstadt’s 4.2-litre V8; arguably the naturally aspirated multicylinder engine of the last decade. Its replacement is the all-new 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 co-developed with Porsche. Naturally, on paper, it is superior in almost every sense.

However, memories of the departed V8 provide not only a signpost to the previous RS5’s most likeable fixture, but also quattro GmbH – the entity which has now morphed into Audi Sport. Consequently, the introduction of its latest two-door, four-seat coupe has been carefully juxtaposed with the mention of ‘gran turismo’; a notable divergence for a car previously expected to fight with the BMW M4 and Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe.

A couple of the new car’s modifications then are notable out of the gate. It is lighter by 60kg in its cooking format (thanks mostly to the 31kg-lighter V6), the mechanical rear ‘sport’ differential can complement the quattro all-wheel drive system and wheel selective torque control. The chassis is new, too, with a five-link arrangement at the front and back, paired with adaptive dampers. There’s also a transmission change to a ZF eight-speed torque converter auto.

That means the car shares its V6 with the second-generation Panamera 4S, but not an entire driveline. Outputs are slightly different, too, Audi Sport having eked out 7kW more so it can claim to match the outgoing V8’s 331kW. Peak torque, predictably, is dramatically superior, the V6 summoning up 600Nm from 1900rpm.