New Audi RS 5 Coupe priced at $156K

Audi’s redesigned RS 5 Coupe will touch down in Australian showrooms priced from $156,600 plus on-road costs.

Boasting wholesale underbody change, the German marque’s popular performance coupe will be available locally from December, undercutting its predecessor by about $500, Audi Australia has confirmed.

The sub-$157K price tag also undercuts Mercedes-AMG’s top-selling C 63 Coupe ($163,611 plus ORCs), but not BMW’s M4 Coupe (from $139,900).

The latest RS 5 sits on Audi’s new MLB architecture and, as such, tips the scales at 60kg less than its predecessor. Coinciding with these changes is a new 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that replaces the venerable 4.2-litre naturally-aspirated, high-revving V8 of the previous model.

In RS 5 form, the bent-six produces a credible 331kW of power and 600Nm of torque – the former figure coming in line-ball with the wailing V8, while the latter trumps the V8’s torque figure by 170Nm.

Fitted with an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, the RS 5 once again sends drive to all four wheels. A 3.9-second nought to 100km/h time is claimed, with fuel use tipped at an equally impressive 8.8L/100km combined.

Performance goodies comprise a quattro sport rear differential, RS sports exhaust system and dynamic ride control with adaptive dampers.

The new RS 5 will match its performance suite with a swag of standard equipment including nappa leather RS sports seats with diamond stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel and a bevy of requisite RS logos through the cabin.

A 12.3-inch version of Audi’s impressive Virtual Cockpit display is found in the driver’s instrument cluster, accompanied by Audi connect with smartphone interface, digital radio and a Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system.

On the outside, the RS 5 differentiates itself with LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers, privacy glass and a gloss black exterior styling package.

Read our verdict on the RS5 from the international launch here.