Audi drives as good as it looks
MY drive in the Audi RS 5 was going oh-so-well until I got into one of those totally unprovoked ‘my-one’s-faster-than-yours’ debates at the local supermarket.
There I was happily minding my own business when a fellow shopper approached with his young son who had taken quite a shine to my RS 5 Coupe in Sonoma Green colour. We chatted for a couple of minutes and I explained to the youngster that he would have to save all his pocket money as the car was priced at £81,000-plus.
Then I heard him. From a neighbouring parking bay came this bullish voice claiming: “I bet it’s not as fast as mine.”
The voice came from a man in his fifties who had just parked his BMW 4 Series M Sport. And so, like a red rag to a bull, I was hooked. “Oh, I don’t think it is,” I claimed. “How fast is your 0 to 62mph sprint time?” I asked. The reply was 5.9 seconds and then the smug look on my face must have really dealt the bitterest blow as I proudly claimed: “Mm – this is 3.9 seconds.”
In fairness, that’s not the usual sort of discussion I hanker for but the Audi RS 5 is no ordinary car and during the seven days I was out and about, I was greeted with all manner of complements about its colour, styling, sound and all-round appeal.
And it was certainly worthy of such praise because the all-new RS 5 Coupe is faster, lighter, larger, more efficient and generally better all-round than the model it replaced.
The thirsty 4.2-litre eight-cylinder engine has been replaced by a more frugal 2.9-litre twin turbocharged petrol unit that develops 450ps and 600Nm of torque. And it’s mated to a faster eight-speed automatic gearbox.
It looks amazing from any angle thanks to its sleek, yet muscular two-door coupe styling, sweeping light clusters, RS sport exhaust system, 20-inch alloys and red brake calipers.
Our range-topping Carbon Edition model added a carbon roof and engine cover along with several carbon inlays inside the car.
Priced from £76,115, it can power to 62mph from a standing start in 3.9 seconds, maxes out at an electrically-limited 155mph and, according to official figures, delivers combined fuel economy of 32.5mpg with carbon emissions of 197g/km.
The interior is beautifully designed incorporating fine Nappa leather seats with a honeycomb quilted design and contrast stitching. They can be electricallyadjusted, heated and offer massaging function.
The RS 5 Coupe is generously equipped with the likes of a centrally-mounted 8.3-inch display screen and menus are accessed via a dial positioned between the front seats.
Techno treats are plentiful and include a head-up display, full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, highspeed 4G internet access, plus a premium sat nav system.
For an additional £1,295 you get a Comfort and Sound Pack that introduces a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, rear-view camera and electric hands-free boot opening.
The Audi Virtual Cockpit can be customised according to taste.
When it comes to performance, the Audi RS 5 Coupe is a true thrillseeker’s delight.
It offers blisteringly quick acceleration through the auto transmission with paddle shifts if you fancy taking over.
There are driving modes called Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual – Dynamic is not for the faint hearted and could see you wiped off your neighbours’ Christmas card lists if your working hours are slightly unsociable.
That’s because the car has a soundtrack to match its performance as it pops, fizzes and crackles away.
In Comfort mode, it’s quite composed and even refined in its behaviour, but unleash the hooligan nature in Dynamic and everything sharpens up from the throttle, brakes, steering and suspension.
The road holding is ultra grippy and there is no sign of any body sway even when powered enthusiastically into bends. This is a car that keeps is composure when you may be losing yours!
If you stop long enough to pick up passengers, then there is enough room in the back for a couple of adults, but leg and head room can be a little tight.
But it’s a perfect car for a weekend break with a boot capacity of 465 litres that can be increased further with the split-folding rear seats dropped down.
Audi has packed the car with safety kit including the impressive Matrix LED headlights.
These lamps produce a light that is similar in colour to daylight. By using sensors along with an in-built camera, other vehicles are detected and the lights are dipped accordingly to avoid dazzling drivers.
All in all, the Audi RS Coupe is a fantastic piece of kit. It drives as good as it looks and has matching acoustics.
But, one word of warning, keep your performance stats to hand just in case you’re challenged by someone in a Beemer!