2012 Audi RS5

Exterior

With only 1-2 years under its belt, the Audi RS5 should have been a few years away from getting any type of refresher. That being said, Audi’s plans to ship it over to the States alongside the new Audi TT-RS, have pushed the fast-forward button. For the new model year, the RS5 is 23 millimeters (0.91 in) longer and six millimeters (0.24 in) wider than the A5 Coupé, but six millimeters (0.24 in) lower. It has received a new single-frame grille with beveled upper corners featuring a high-gloss, anthracite gray honeycomb structure and a matte aluminum-look frame. Highlighting the new grill are the standard xenon plus headlights that are now framed with narrow strips of LED daytime running lights. These changes lead up to the revised hood and its new, sharper edges, as well as flared aluminum front fenders.

The sides of the Audi RS5 come equipped with side sills sport chiseled caps and the trim strips and side mirror housings have a matte aluminum-look finish. At the back of the refreshed RS5 is a dual exhaust system with two oval exhaust pipes, new LED lights, a larger diffuser, and a rear spoiler that extends automatically at 74.56 mph. Topping off the exterior look of the new RS5 are newly designed, 19-inch forged aluminum wheels with 265/35-series tires as standard. Customers can also upgrade to 20-inch wheels with 275/30-series tires as an option.

The Audi RS5 will be offered in eight exterior colors combined with different aluminum insertions - an inspiration from models like the Audi Quattro.

Interior

The inside of the Audi RS5 is all about combining sportiness with luxury elements, so Audi’s standard, power adjustable sports seats with integrated headrests are still available wrapped in either black leather or Alcantara. As an option, Audi is also offering seat upholstery in Fine Nappa leather in a choice of black or lunar silver with rock gray piping. For those that crave even more sportiness or just plain comfort, there’s new bucket seats with folding backrests or comfortable, climate-controlled seats with a ventilation function. The rest of the interior shines in black and can be further illuminated with narrow chrome clasps at the switches and control elements, carbon fiber goodies, and an array of inlays in your choice of carbon, brushed or etched aluminum, a high-gloss piano finish, or a light-colored stainless steel mesh.

Other features for the 2012 Audi RS5’s interior are a new leather multifunction sport steering wheel, redesigned ignition key and shift lever knob, an optional MMI navigation system with an aluminum-look finish, and aluminum inserts in the door sill trims. The obligatory RS5 badges are also thrown in to differentiate this vehicle from any other.

As an option, Audi is also offering a carbon design package and different styling packages for the body in black or matte aluminum. Other options include adaptive cruise control, Audi side assist, adaptive light, MMI navigation plus, the Bluetooth online car phone, and the Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Engine

The new Audi RS5 will still be utilizing the old 4.2 FSI V8 engine setup, but it’s still good for 450 HP at 8,250 rpm and a peak torque of 317.15 lb-ft available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. This engine has a specific output of 108.1 hp per liter of displacement and comes mated to a standard seven-speed S tronic which can be controlled with a selector lever or with paddles on the steering wheel.

Audi has also provided the drive select driving dynamics system as standard for RS5 which allows the driver to select between three modes: comfort, auto, and dynamic. If the car is equipped with an Audi MMI navigation system, then there is also a fourth mode – individual – which can be configured by the driver. Audi drive select can also modulate the sound of the exhaust system, double-clutching when downshifting in dynamic mode. Then there’s the integrated launch control program which provides quick starts by managing the engagement of the clutch at mid-level revs.

With these features working together under the hood, the new RS5 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155.34. Throw in a bit more cash and customers can opt to boost that top speed to 173.98 mph.

For some, fuel economy is just as important as power these days so Audi has addressed that niche with a combination of technologies from the Audi modular efficiency platform, including a recuperation system, that allows the engine to consume significantly less fuel on average than its direct competitors.

Handling

The Audi RS5 carries many features to ensure the utmost on sporty handling for the RS5. For starters, Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive sends power to all four wheels with the aid of the crown gear center differential. This compact and lightweight system works together with the torque vectoring system to distribute torque int he default 40:60 ratio. This setup also allows for a quick change in the distribution, up to 70% of the power can be sent to the front wheels and up to 85% can be shot back to the rear wheels.

Keeping the car in check even more is the 2012 Audi RS5’s five-link front suspension and a self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension, both made out of aluminum. This setup also drops the RS% by about 20 millimeters (0.79 in) compared with the Audi A5.

The suspensions are controlled via a new speed-dependent power steering, an electromechanical system with a direct steering ratio for highly precise road feel. This added feature also aids in fuel efficiency because the power steering doesn’t draw any energy when driving straight.

Brakes

The Audi RS5 Coupe gets slowed to a stop with the use of large, internally ventilated wave brake discs, with the front discs measuring 365 millimeters (14.37 in) in diameter. The discs are joined by perforated steel friction rings that are connected to the aluminum brake caps via pins. This setup reduces tensions, quickly dissipates the heat, and prevents the transmission of temperature peaks. They also provide the RS5 with a 6.61 lb weight reduction. Adding to the brake setup are high gloss black calipers with eight piston each on the front, or carbon fiber-ceramic discs up front as an option.

Prices

Prices for the new Audi RS5 will be announced at a later date, but European pricing for the 2011 Audi RS5 starts off at €77,700 (about $106,000 at the current rates). US Customers will be able to snag this sports coupe for $69,795, including an $895 destination charge.

Competition

The biggest competitors for the new Audi RS5 when it arrives on US soil will be the BMW M3 Coupeand the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe.

The BMW M3 Coupe is powered by a 4.0L V8 engine producing 414 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque, sinking behind the RS5’s numbers. Its top speed is also limited to 155 mph, but BMW does not have an option to increase it. BMW or Audi? On paper, we would say Audi.

The Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is where the competition gets a little stiffer. This speedster coupe gets a 6.2 Liter supercharged Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 V8 that makes a maximum output of 556 HP and 551 lb-ft of torque, mated to a Tremec TR6060 six speed manual. It makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in only 3.9 seconds, but that may not mean much to some people. Cadillac has been long considered a boring brand aimed at the older side of the population. If history is considered, then Audi would get the nod, but the CTS-V is clearly a coupe that is prepared to give the RS5 a serious run for its money.