Say Goodbye to a Thundering V8 and Hello to the New Twin-Turbo V6 in the New Audi RS5

Reaffirming its status as the indisputable head of the A5 pack and a cornerstone of the Audi Sport stable, the all-new RS 5 Coupé makes its world debut at the 87th annual Geneva Motor Show this week, delivering phenomenal pace from its brand new V6 biturbo TFSI, a lighter overall weight and a healthy hike in torque. The very latest in Vorsprung durch Technik is also comes to the fore, from the cutting-edge driver assistance and connectivity systems to the even more comprehensive specification as standard. Ordering for the 450PS, sub-four second gran turismo is expected to open from May this year, ahead of first examples reaching UK roads this summer.

“The new Audi RS 5 Coupé is the gran turismo among the RS models from Audi Sport. The high-performance Coupé combines elegant aesthetics with high everyday usability.

The car’s V6 biturbo has been developed from the ground up and provides significantly more performance coupled with higher efficiency,” said Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH, in describing the new model.

The RS 5 Coupé is also the first car to bear the new Audi RS design idiom that will be introduced to the Audi Sport range. The designers drew inspiration for the RS 5 Coupé from the distinctive racing details of the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO. Massive air inlets with the honeycomb structure typical of RS models characterise the front end of the new Audi RS 5 Coupé. The Singleframe radiator grille is much wider and flatter than in the base model. Next to the headlights are additional lateral air intakes and outlets; tinted bezels differentiate the optional Matrix LED headlights. quattro blisters on the flanks emphasise the pronounced bulges over the wheel arches, which have been widened by 15 millimetres.

Appropriately purposeful accents are provided by the RS-specific diffuser insert, the oval tailpipes of the RS exhaust system and surface-mounted spoiler lip. The RS 5 Coupé rolls as standard on 19-inch wheels, with 20-inch wheels available as an option. Gloss black, carbon and matt aluminium packages provide even more customisation options. With a length of 4,723 millimetres, the new Audi RS 5 Coupé is 74 millimetres longer than the previous model.

Packing a mighty punch, the car’s all-new 2.9 TFSI biturbo engine produces 450PS and delivers 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque, with a charismatic soundtrack that is reminiscent of the V6 TFSI housed in the original B5 RS 4. Developed from the ground up, it offers sharp increases in power and efficiency as well as an incomparably full-bodied RS sound. It produces 450PS and peak torque of 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) – up 170 Nm (125.4 lb-ft) from the previous model – is available across a wide band from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. The top model in the A5 family sprints from 0 to 62mph in 3.9 seconds and with the optional dynamic package reaches a top speed of 174mph.

Two turbochargers are positioned centrally between the cylinder banks of the 2.9 TFSI unit. The ingested air flows to the respective turbocharger and into the combustion chambers through a dual-branch system for spontaneous response.

The B-cycle combustion process with central direct injection represents a new level of efficiency among the RS models. The shortened compression stroke used here enables an engine process with a significantly higher geometric compression ratio. Combined with a power stroke that, while normal, is longer relative to the compression stroke, this allows for more efficient combustion and increased engine efficiency.

According to the NEDC, the V6 biturbo is capable of up to 32.5mpg combined, corresponding to 197 grams CO2 per km – an efficiency gain of 17 percent over the previous model. Another factor in the greater efficiency of the new RS 5 Coupé is its significantly lower weight. It tips the scales at 1,655 kilograms, 60 kilograms less than before. A carbon roof with a visible fibre structure is available as an option.

The biturbo’s power flows through a dynamically-tuned, eight-speed tiptronic with optimised shift times to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The drive forces are distributed asymmetrically to the axles (40:60) to guarantee dynamic handling with optimal traction and the greatest possible safety. Audi Sport also offers a rear sport differential.

An updated five-link construction is used on the front axle. At the rear, a five-link suspension replaces the trapezoidal-link suspension used on the previous model, benefiting the deft driving characteristics and agility. It also improves comfort significantly. With the standard RS sport suspension, the new Audi RS 5 Coupé sits much lower than the production model.

Audi Sport also offers the RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), ceramic brakes and dynamic steering with RS-specific tuning. Drivers can make their personal driving experience more individual, dynamic or comfortable using the standard Audi drive select system.

Bathed in black, the interior of the new Audi RS 5 Coupé is extremely upscale and lavishly appointed. Details such as RS sport seats with optional diamond stitching in Fine Nappa leather and the flat-bottomed RS multifunction sport steering wheel underscore the character of the high-performance coupe in the interior as well. RS logos adorn the seats, steering wheel, door sill trims and the selector lever.

Special RS displays in the Audi virtual cockpit provide information on tyre pressure, torque and g-forces. A shift light prompts the driver to upshift upon reaching the rev limit. The RS design package uses red as a vibrant contrasting colour. Package highlights are the steering wheel, selector lever and knee pads in Alcantara plus seat belts contoured in red and floor mats with the RS emblem. Audi Sport offers Sonoma green metallic as an exclusive paint finish for the RS 5 Coupé.

A comprehensive range of infotainment choices is sure to keep everyone on board entertained. The optional MMI navigation plus with MMI touch includes the hardware module Audi connect, which connects the new RS 5 Coupé to the internet via LTE. Thanks to the Audi connect SIM, which is permanently installed in the car, the flat rate data package for the connect services including Europe-wide roaming is free of charge for three years. Passengers can go online with their mobile devices via the Wi-Fi hotspot option. The Audi smartphone interface uses Apple Car Play and Android Auto to make selected apps available in a separate MMI menu. Control is easy and intuitive, thanks to natural language voice control, free text search and the multifunction steering wheel.

The touchpad in the centre console is used to zoom, scroll and enter characters. Further high-end technologies, such as the head-up display and as many as 30 driver assistance systems enhance safety, comfort and efficiency. The intelligent interplay between these systems represents another step on the road to piloted driving.

Over 13,000 units of the first-generation Audi RS 5 Coupé have been delivered to customers since 2010.