5 expands RS range

Audi's latest uber sporty, the RS5 Coupe, has officially joined the line-up Down Under. Launched locally yesterday, in at times streaming wet conditions at Phillip Island's Grand Prix Circuit, the two-door four-seater arrives with a hefty pricetag of near-$180,000 and a unique to RS high-revving naturally aspirated V8 powerplant.

Only one other RS model (the superseded A4 based RS4) has eschewed forced induction since the badge's introduction in 1994. All other current RS family members, the TT-RS five-cylinder and RS6 V10 sedan and Avant (wagon) are turbocharged. The new RS5, however, features bespoke version of Audi's 4.2-litre direct-injected petrol V8. Featuring numerous internal tweaks and new inlet and exhaust systems the engine is related to that featured in the R8 sportscar.

Audi claims peak output of 331kW at 8000rpm. Torque tops out at 430Nm from 4000-6000rpm.

In the RS5, the muscular V8 is matched to a new seven-speed twin-clutch S-tronic automated manual transmission and the latest version of Audi's trademark Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The latter benefits from a new lighter and faster acting ‘crown-gear' centre differential. A special RS version of Audi's electronically-controlled torque-vectoring (rear) Sport differential also makes its debut in the RS.

No manual variant of the RS5 is offered.

Though permanent all-wheel drive, the RS5's power delivery is rear-biased with around 60 per cent of torque directed to the wheels in normal driving. The system can, however, transfer 70 per cent of available drive to the front axle and up to 85 percent to the rear as required. In the wet conditions at Phillip Island, the system provided staggering levels of traction even on standard road tyres.

The company says the car is good for 4.6sec sprint 0-100km/h and yet still returns 10.8L/100km in combined cycle fuel testing.

Though very clearly based on its A5/S5 stablemates, the RS5 does feature significant body differentiation. The hot coupe gets bespoke front splitter, lower front valance and intakes and a distinctive RS grille. At the rear there's a pop-up spoiler, and sculptured under-bumper ‘diffuser' treatment. Front and rear guards get trademark RS blisters that hark back to the original Sport Quattro.

Running gear highlights include 19-inch wheels and eight-piston front calipers. The RS5's standard brakes are conventional metallic rotors. Ceramic composite front discs (a whopping 380mm in diameter) are optional… And expensive – at over $15,000…

Indeed though, the RS5 gets a fair complement of equipment, priced from $175,300 some features that many buyers might expect standard at this price point are optional extras. You'll need to pay extra for a sunroof, adaptive cruise, dynamic steering and electric front seat actuation for example.

Included in the sticker price, however, are a top-end stereo and satnav system with full iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, front and rear park sensors, xenon headlamps, full proximity key entry and start and, of course, climate control air. Audi's exquisite and industry-leading cabin finish is include FOC.

Audi Drive Select System is also standard. In the case of the RS5 this allows the drive to choose from Comfort, Auto and Dynamic settings or Individual mode which delivers customizable settings. As well as altering the steering, transmission and engine throttle mapping, Drive Select also ‘tunes' the rear Sport differential and the exhaust system in the RS5. The latter enables flaps in the exhaust to deliver a more fruity engine note.

Key optional extras include 20-inch wheels ($3885) and a choice of alloy or matt black external dress up packages. Aggressively bolstered RS front bucket seats will add $6500 to the bill.

The Carsales Network man in Europe Michael Taylor rated the RS5 as Audi's best drivers' car yet at the coupe's launch in Spain mid year. And there's little we've learned from our track drive that contradicts MT's impressions. Perhaps the best balanced front-engined Audi yet, the RS5 made short work of the Island's fast flowing layout, and thanks to the tunable sport diff, was especially wieldy in comparison to its conventional quattro cousins.

Look out for our full local drive impression soon.

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