Loving life of the razor’s edge

Audi’s RS5 Sportback is a more practical version of the its sports coupe - so how does it drive?

Audi’s RS5 has been on a little hiatus of late. New WLTP efficiency tests meant the brand had to withdraw its performance saloon and more practical Sportback version to ensure they meet new emissions regulations. In fact, the model we’re testing here is a short-term thing; it comes in Audi Sport trim and is limited to just 250 models in the UK, before a refreshed car arrives next year, with a petrol particulate filter to help drive emissions even lower. This is the first time we’ve been able to get behind the wheel of the more practical five-door Sportback however, so we’re keen to see what it’s like...

WHAT’S NEW?

Despite the changes proper performance-led car; there’s still a hugely powerful V6 under the bonnet, quattro all-wheel drive and bigger brakes. As this is an exclusive trim level too, there’s plenty of equipment on board as well as some more dynamic styling touches. You could say it’s still a proper sporting Audi at heart, then. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? There’s a word which accurately sums up the RS5 Sportback: Accomplished. That V6 engine under the bonnet is punchy, and gets the Audi up to speed in a savage way. The around-town ride is on the firm side - this is a proper sports car after all - but gains composure at higher speeds. For long-distance motorway jaunts, this is the car you’d want the keys to. HOW DOES IT LOOK?

We’d argue that in Sportback layout, the RS5 looks even better than the Coupe. It remains a sleek design and one which attracts quite a lot of attention to itself. It’s purposeful and quite aggressive, with the black contrast trim pieces helping to give it even more presence. At the rear is an imposing set of exhaust pipes, and on our test car a set of blacked-out badges. WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

One area where the RS5 Sportback is in need of a more comprehensive update is its infotainment setup. It’s not that it isn’t intuitive to use. This is something that’s likely to be rectified when the facelifted RS5 arrives next year - we’ve already seen Audi’s new screen setup in the latest A4, and it’ll breathe a lot of new life into the Sportback. THE VERDICT

The Audi RS5 Sportback is a competent, well-mannered sports car with a healthy dose of practicality. The V6 engine may not be the most characterful, but it’s effective. And that, in a way, sums up the RS5 - it’s not bristling with charisma, but it’s razor-sharp in its approach to getting your down the road very quickly, with the minimal amount of fuss. Price: £70,995

Engine: 2.9-litre V6 Power (bhp): 444 Torque (Nm): 600

Max speed (mph): 155 0-60mph: 3.8 seconds