FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Audi updates RS 5

Audi's hotshot RS 5 coupe came to Australia in October 2010, adding more stiction to the German company's already well-cemented reputation for building unforgettable performance cars that are much easier to live with, than without.

Less than a year later, Audi has given its all-wheel V8 coupe a facelift. One it probably didn't need, but probably benefits from anyway...

Although you'd hardly need to be a trainspotter to pick the changes to the front end, other differences might be a little difficult to identify without parking 2011 and 2012 examples alongside each other.

The most glaringly obvious change is the headlights, which pick up the wave-shape LED running light arrays familiar elsewhere in the Audi range, as well as narrower, more sculpted lenses.

The grille doesn't look much different, although it is.

It has what appears to be a more rounded treatment, while the outrigger lower air vents are framed more aggressively. Audi says the bonnet line has sharper edges to give a more "three dimensional" look.

According to Audi, "the RS 5 looks even lower and wider when viewed from the front."

At the back, a new bumper integrates the dual oval exhaust pipes (a sport exhaust system with a "more voluminous sound" is optional) and there's a new pair of tail lights with continuous LED light strips.

Inside, the changes are even more subtle and include such things as a "new leather multifunction sport steering wheel" redesigned shift lever and ignition key, and updated steering column stalks.

The normally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 delivers a stunning 331kW (better than the old magic formula of 100 horsepower - about 75kW - per litre) along with 430Nm of torque delivered on a flat plateau from 4000rpm to 6000rpm. Just thinking of the engine running out to its maximum kilowatt figure at 8250rpm has one taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm down.

Transmission is via Audi's (and Volkswagen's) seven-speed twin-clutch shifter, driving all four wheels via a proper, three-differential 4WD system, all of which is good enough to see the RS 5 reaching 100km/h from a standstill in 4.6 seconds. And if the electronically governed top speed of 250km/h is not good enough and you drive regularly on German autobahns, Audi will bump the maximum to 280km/h on request.

The RS 5 sits 20mm lower than regular A5s and sits on newly designed 19-inch forged aluminium wheels with 265/35 tyres, and for more eye candy 20-inch wheels with 275/30 tyres are optional.

The RS 5 with its gloss-black, eight-piston front callipers clamping 365mm discs is good at bringing all this down to a stop, too. But once again, if that's not good enough it is possible to specify ultra high performance fibre-ceramic front discs.

As before, the driver is able to choose from three dynamic modes - comfort, auto and dynamic – that alter steering, transmission and accelerator characteristics.
Further, an RS 5 equipped with Audi's MMI navigation system can also select a mode that modulates the sound of the already delicious exhaust system, complete with double-clutch "blips".

Australia will get the updated RS 5 as stocks of the current model diminish and the new one begins to roll out.