2021 Audi RS5 Sportback review, test drive

All this has transformed currently. First up, in 2018, Audi chucked out the in a natural way aspirated V8 and plugged in a twin turbocharged V6. So, bye bye V8 icon. If you imagined that was a massive modify, currently Audi only sells the RS5 in this article as a 4.8m-very long Sportback. Compact coupe it isn’t. The Sportback gets 4 doors, a massive estate motor vehicle-like boot and hundreds of additional practicality. But can Audi’s baby RS7 provide both of those, a ‘pukka’ RS driving experience and hundreds of day-to-day practicality?

Audi RS5: what is it like on the outside the house?

One thing’s for confident, I think it is really 1 of Audi’s stunners, a motor vehicle you can glimpse at endlessly. The very low-slung profile gets you first. The arched, restricted-fitting coupe-like roof, the pillar-fewer doors, and fastback rear do the job fantastically alongside one another. Then the wheel arches bulge out that extra bit and help give the RS5 a crouching cat-like stance. Even though the nose has been nicely executed and has lots of character with its sharp cuts and creases, it is really the rear of the RS5 Sportback with its arrow like type that definitely is drool-worthy. The broad hips and subtle spoiler set the tone, and then the strip of decorative  fake ‘metal’ that runs all-around the massive oval exhausts appears to be like just good.

Audi RS5: what is the motor like?

Under the hood, the V6 is also a bit specific. Co-created with Porsche, the 2.nine-litre, twin-turbo V6 puts out a solid 450hp and has a torque profile that, in this article, has been customized exclusively to give it solid performance. You get 600Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm. The turbos are positioned inside of the ‘V’ for quick responses and what makes the motor come to feel even sportier is that it arrives hooked up to a lightening quick eight-velocity automated gearbox. The quattro procedure also used in this article makes a massive variation. It uses the sportier crown wheel differential where sixty p.c of electricity is typically despatched to the rear, which can be elevated up to 85 p.c to counter understeer (or a deficiency of entrance close grip).

The suspension is also customized to give it a sporty drive. It has a five-url setup at the entrance and rear, and although you can find no rear-wheel steering and air suspension, the steering has been exclusively set up to give it a fantastic amount of money of agility.

Audi RS5: what is it like on the inside of?

The interiors are ordinarily Audi. That is to say they are built to a really high normal and, for the most aspect, display screen degrees of match and end that set course expectations. The components in this article are all first fee, and what makes the experience inside of the cabin come to feel even extra specific is that Audi has used new designs and sorts that glimpse good. This is especially real of the metallic carbon-fibre weave that runs in an organically shaped band suitable across the cabin. Matched by a one ornamental band of broad trim on the centre console, it amps up the amazing element of the cabin substantially. And boy, has Audi produced the 50 shades of grey cabin do the job. Refined glints of chrome sporadically scattered across the cabin emphasize the essential bits, and the a variety of textures and colours have been layered in an really sophisticated method.

In addition, you get all the RS regalia and badges. You get logos on the seats, on the centre console, and at the base of the steering wheel. The activity steering wheel now also gets two programmable RS modes. The screen isn’t massive enough to impress on its possess, but Audi’s MMI user interface (Modular Infotainment System or MIB three) is among the very best there is. Neat, clean up, tidy and intuitive, it is quick to respond and has slick operation. Audi, in addition, appears to be to have presented a hardware enhance, so the velocity with which it performs also impresses. As this is an RS, the procedure also provides performance-linked information and facts. You get details on motor and transmission temperature, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, and you can find even program that will give you lap periods all-around a circuit or acceleration from to 100 kph.

Also on the RS5 is Audi’s virtual cockpit or totally electronic instrument panel, massaging seats for the entrance travellers, electrically actuated pneumatic lumbar assist (that feels extra natural), and enough Alcantara on the doorway playing cards, steering wheel and elsewhere to enhance Audi’s amazing element. Other functions include things like Parking Help Moreover, a panoramic sunroof, and a button that permits you to change the screen off at evening this is essential on very long evening drives, as dazzling, contrasting lights are inclined to accelerate eye fatigue. You you should not, having said that, get cooled seats, wireless charging or wireless Apple Car Engage in and Android Auto.

The rear seats are a bit compromised due to the fact of the very low roof, but you can find a decent amount of money of legroom, the seat back again is comfy, and the massive sunroof stops the rear of the cabin from receiving gloomy. This clearly is no A6, although. You are seated a bit very low, and if you are earlier mentioned 6 toes, headroom could be restricted. Place and consolation up entrance are fantastic. The sporty seat supports your shoulders beautifully, the lumbar assist is really successful and effortless to change, and immediately after a working day of hard driving, the therapeutic massage purpose is a welcome addition. I also just enjoy how the seats glimpse. Completed in black and rock grey, with a honeycomb motif, they are fantastically accomplished in Alcantara and leather.

These who worth practicality will also be thrilled with the lift-back again boot – the entry is fantastic, it is broad and deep, and is effortless to load. And whilst boot ability, at 465-litres, isn’t massive, its uniform shape suggests you can use each sq. inch of area. 

Audi RS5: what is it like to drive?

On paper, the RS5 will not seem especially enjoyable, especially at first glance. It arrives driven by a V6 motor and weighs a considerable 1,742Kgs. Get driving the wheel and initial impressions are not really solid both. The massive turbos have to have time to spool up, and although it accelerates smartly when you set your foot down, the explosive performance you assume of an RS model isn’t quite there.

Use a bit extra throttle and the situation solutions alone really quickly. Two points materialize practically concurrently. First, the reactive gearbox provides a lightening quick downshift, and with the turbos now blowing madly, the RS5 shoots forward in the direction of the horizon. Prior to you know it, you strike 7,000rpm, you are up a equipment and into the thick of the powerband at the time yet again. So quick are upshifts, I’m initially convinced this is a twin-clutch gearbox. The real star, having said that, remains the motor. Previous 4,000rpm, the motor just appears to be to operate away from you, gathering a momentum and electrical power of its possess. The RS5 even has a enjoyable and enjoyable exhaust note, especially in the direction of the top rated close. Even though Audi suggests -100kph arrives up in three.9sec, it feels even faster! I confident did not assume it to be this quick.

What I do assume is hundreds and hundreds of grip, even on a slippery road. Certainly, the steering is as inert as Helium and I’m not confident if the rear is steeping out minutely or I’m just imagining points. Even now, if you are looking for the weapon procedure with the very best ballistics, this is it. The grip is just prodigious, even in the damp, and what I especially like is that you can find a simplicity and predictability about the way the RS5 goes down the road. Its potential to locate grip is in truth so fantastic, it makes a damp road come to feel basically damp, and a damp road bone dry. How does Audi do it? The quattro procedure is clearly nevertheless a phase ahead.

After you sync your driving model with the method in which the quattro procedure puts electricity down to the road and up your self-assurance degrees, the RS5 is just huge, huge enjoyable. Compared with the RS7, the RS5 rotates fantastically on flip in, and then what amps it up even extra is that it displays the agility of a little something 50 % its size. It even permits you to set electricity down early and rocket out of corners. It nevertheless is not going to do slides, but the extra rear-biased differential does allow you to position it into corners extra aggressively, and that makes all the variation.

The RS5’s suspension also rounds off a vast majority of bumps very all right and it isn’t also noisy. Audi has, having said that, deleted adjustable dampers from the functions list, so the journey is stiff even in Comfort and ease on a poorly surfaced road, you even get lots of short and sharp up-down movements. These driving routinely in site visitors will also have to overlook a sometimes snatchy and hesitant gearbox that, even with obtaining a rather sleek torque convertor, feels really strung and on edge.

Audi RS5: should really you buy 1?

If you are a person who likes to drive, loves performance and wants a motor vehicle that can seat 4 in relative consolation and carry a fantastic amount of money of luggage, the RS5 is a solid candidate for your cash. For 1, it is really really eye-catching. A lithe athlete dressed in a designer match, its very low-slung lines and fastback rear get your notice. The engine’s performance is really solid in the top rated close, the 4-wheel-drive procedure offers huge grip, and managing is so welcoming that it goads you into driving more challenging and faster. Certainly, the journey is stiff, the motor will not quite have the bottom close urge of rivals, and it isn’t as nicely outfitted as it should really be at its Rs 1.04 crore. Even now, if you want 1 motor vehicle to do it all, the realistic and enjoyable Audi RS5 could just be the 1 for you.

Also see:

New Audi RS 5 Sportback released in India