2019 Audi RS5 Sportback
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Audi RS5 Sportback
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Year:2019
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Engine:V6
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Horsepower @ RPM:444
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Torque @ RPM:443
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Displacement:2.9 L
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0-60 time:4 sec.
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Top Speed:174 mph
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Four-door coupes are starting to flood the market, and that’s why Audi came up with the RS5 Sportback, an all-new model in the lineup and the seventh Audi Sport model, sharing a similar design with the RS7 Sportback. It got all of the typical RS cues inside and out but is powered by a 2.9-liter, Biturbo mill that is borrowed from the Porsche Panamera. It can hit 60 mph faster than a BMW 650i or Mercedes CLS500 and does so looking good in the process. Based on the RS 5 Coupe, the Sportback should command somewhere around $80,000 when it goes on sale in the second half of 2018.
Update 08/22/2018: Audi has announced pricing for the 2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback as well as a long list of standard options but leaves us in the dark when it comes to pricing for the RS 5 Coupe. Read the full scoop in our “Pricing” section below.
Latest Audi RS5 news and reviews:
Watch the BMW M4 Competition Take On The Audi RS5 And The Mercedes-AMG C63 S
The rivalry between the three Germans can never end. Be it any segment or niche, they are waiting to rain on each other’s parades. This time, it’s on a drag strip, courtesy of Carwow. The Audi RS5, BMW M4 Competition, and the AMG C63 S competed against one another in a series of races to determine who the king is when it comes to straight-line dashes. Who have you got your money on?
2020 Audi RS5 by ABT
ABT Sportsline is here with yet another Audi build, this time taking the RS5 under its wings. The aftermarket company offers the car in a shiny, attention-greedy color with big 21-inch gold-finished wheels. The interior comes with a few premium add-ons, too. ABT has also upgraded the suspension setup. However, the highlight of the build is the extra oomph to make it a more powerful and quicker beast than it already is.
Here’s How a 2013 Audi RS5 Stacks Up Against a 2020 Audi RS5 Sportback
Audi RS5Bridging the generation gap between two performance-focused models, one that’s older and one that’s newer, is never an easy task for carmakers. The newcomer is expected to be better in every aspect, but what happens when the old one is still capable of exciting the senses?
Throttle House’s new versus old Audi RS5 head-to-head makes for a neat case study.
Throwback: Crossfit Santa Gets a New Ride This Christmas
Christmas is just round the corner and we can see a lot of holiday-themed commercials on television and over the internet. In fact, even automakers get creative during this season and some of them stand out. This particular video by Audi is here to put people into a festive mood by featuring a crowd-pulling celeb – Santa Claus.
When Audi launched the RS5 Sportback in late 2018, there was a lot of uproar about the old-style grille that made the face of the new car look outdated at best. For 2021, Audi is launching the Audi RS5 Coupe, and with it came a mild facelift for the recently launched Sportback. The good news is that Audi finally addressed the grille situation and has redesigned the nose. Now, the RS5 features the more modern, flatter and wider grille that makes the car look sportier and more aggressive at the same time. As a result, Audi was also able to add tiny vents between the grille and the hood to pay tribute to 1984 Audi Sport Quattro. The wheel arches are also 1.6-inches wider, while the LED lights in the headlights and the matrix in the taillights have been revised as well.
There’s not a lot to mention about the interior, but Audi has upgraded the MMI infotainment system, and it now includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It’s also angled just a degree or two toward the driver to help improve visibility and reach. As is the usual case with RS models, the interior is wrapped in mass amounts of leather and Alcantara, but you can opt for Nappa leather if you wish. Red or gray accents for the interior are also available.
The exterior and interior refinements, regardless of how necessary, are where the changes stop. The 2.9-liter V-6 under the hood carries over to 2021 unchanged. It delivers roughly 444 horsepower and a cool 442.5 pound-feet of torque, the latter of which comes into play at just 1,900 rpm. The RS5 Sportback and Coupe can make the run to 62.1 mph in 3.9 seconds and will top out at 174 mph if you keep the hammer down. A manual transmission isn’t on the docket, though, so you’ll have to make do with Audi’s fairly decent eight-speed Tiptronic auto. The RS5 in either form comes standard with AWD, though, so it does have that going for it. Opt for the rear sport differential, and you’ll even get active torque distribution between the rear wheels.
The 2021 Audi RS5 goes on sale in Europe in early 2020 and will start out at EUR 83,500. Pricing and availability for other markets, including the United States, have yet to be announced.
Audi’s New Four-Cylinder Race Engine is a 610-Horsepower Beast
Audi just unveiled an incredibly powerful 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine for its Audi RS5 DTM racing car. With a power output of 610 horsepower and half the weight of the 4.0-liter, V-8 it replaces, the new engine does not only provide 110 horsepower more than before, but it also slashed the weight of the DTM racer to 2,200 pounds. However, DTM practically summoned it with the change of rules in the DTM championship.
With the new DTM championship season warming up to start in May, the manufacturers are getting ready to compete following the new set of rules. The most significant change is the decision to dismiss the 4.0-liter, V-8, naturally aspirated engines in favor of the new, 2.0-liter, turbocharged fours. All in a move to close the gap between the road cars and its racing avatars in the DTM. What is more, DTM capped the power output for engines used in racing cars to 620 horsepower (plus 30 horsepower more for the push-to-pass maneuvers). That means that Audi did what the regulations allowed. If regulations allowed that this turbocharged, 2.0-liter engine could have up to 1,000 horsepower, Audi would make it like that. It happened already.
Santa goes through a makeover this Christmas thanks to Audi: Video
This year, we’re getting a new, fancier and slimmer Father Christmas and it’s all thanks to Audi and their luscious RS5 4-door coupe. The German manufacturer proudly presents us ’New Santa’ in the Christmasy ad they’ve released ahead of the holiday season
Tesla powertrain and batteries completely transform this Audi RS5
The Audi RS5, built between 2010 and 2015, was powered by a screaming, high-revving, V-8 engine and was widely acknowledged as being one of the best of its kind. However, what do you do when your car doesn’t have an engine or its engine is junk and you need to replace it with something else? How about you slot in a Tesla motor and battery pack to see how that transforms the car.
2018 Audi RS5 By ABT Sportsline
ABT Sportsline is dialing up its aftermarket upgrade for theAudi RS5 by offering an engine upgrade program that was previously exclusive only to the limited edition RS5-R package. The new power upgrade is part of a comprehensive tuning kit that also includes changes to the RS5’s aesthetics and suspension. The result is a high-performance coupé rocking carbon fiber bits with a new 2.9-liter bi-turbo V-6 engine that now produces 510 horsepower and an improved suspension that paves the way for optimized driving dynamics.
Four-door coupes are starting to flood the market, and that’s why Audi came up with the RS5 Sportback, an all-new model in the lineup and the seventh Audi Sport model, sharing a similar design with the RS7 Sportback. It got all of the typical RS cues inside and out but is powered by a 2.9-liter, Biturbo mill that is borrowed from the Porsche Panamera. It can hit 60 mph faster than a BMW 650i or Mercedes CLS500 and does so looking good in the process. Based on the RS 5 Coupe, the Sportback should command somewhere around $80,000 when it goes on sale in the second half of 2018.
Update 08/22/2018: Audi has announced pricing for the 2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback as well as a long list of standard options but leaves us in the dark when it comes to pricing for the RS 5 Coupe. Read the full scoop in our “Pricing” section below.
2018 Audi RS 5 DTM
Any fan of touring car racing has undoubtedly heard of the DTM series, but for those of you out there still drawing a blank, I’ll start things off with a little background info. The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, or DTM for short, is Germany’s premier touring car race series, often pitting the big three German makes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz against one another on circuits around Europe. Audi Sport had a very impressive performance during the 2017 season, snagging a slew of titles and achieving its “most successful results of all time,” according to the team. However, the 2018 season is now upon us, and with it, a variety of regulation changes shake up the competitive landscape. So, how did Audi adapt to the revisions compared to Merc and BMW? Read on to find out.
Continue reading to learn more about the Audi RS 5 DTM.
Want a Performance Wagon Other than a AMG E 63 S or the Panamera Sport Turismo? Tell Audi You Want an RS Avant
The Audi RS Avant super wagons aren’t available in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean the status quo isn’t going to change. Audi is open to bringing its rip-roaring machines to the land of milk and honey; it just needs to make a good business case for it. In that vein, fans of the RS 4 and RS 6 Avants can do their part to convince Audi by “writing letters” to the German automaker. Tongue-in-cheek hints aside, these letters could go a long way in establishing a viable marketplace for both super wagons.
It just recently debuted but nobody can seem to get enough of it. Maybe it’s that four-door coupe look, or maybe it’s the fact that it has five doors. Maybe it’s that it sits lower and is wider than the RS5 Coupe. It could be that 2.9-liter with 444 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Even if you plan on getting one, you’ve still got a while to wait, so why not plaster it all over your desktop with one of our high-resolution wallpapers?
Audi May Bring RS Avant Models To The U.S. But It’s A Reach
Who doesn’t love a fast wagon? We’re certainly pretty big fans, and we can’t help but dribble a bit when considering the prospect of getting into something like Audi’s line of RS Avants. Now, it looks like the Four-Ring brand is actually considering bringing these quick-’n-practical machines stateside. Maybe. Hopefully? All told, the brand isn’t ruling it out - we’ll take it.
Continue reading for the full story.
Audi RS 5 Sportback: Making Things Look Bleak for the BMW 6 Series and Mercedes CLS
The whole “four-door coupe” trend has really been catching on lately, so it’s no surprise, really, when a new one pops up. Audi has a small lineup of these niche-bred models, and the latest to join the “Sportback” and “Audi Sport” lineup is the RS5 Sportback. As an Audi Sport model, the RS5 Sportback isn’t playing around either – it’s got the look and power of a sports car with the practicality of a sedan with a long, coupe-like roof. It gets a revised suspension, a powerful V-6 engine, and loads of technology. Now, the only thing you have to do is convince the wife that you need an $80,000 rocket-propelled family car.
Audi Claims The New RS5 Can Do 0 to 60 MPH in Four Seconds, But What Can it Do Under "Ideal Conditions?"
Audi has pulled the covers off of the RS5 Sportback at the 2018 New York Auto Show. The RS5 Sportback is the latest version from the RS5 family, following in the footsteps of the RS5 Coupe. As first impressions go, the four-door performance sedan not only looks positively stunning, it also packs a mean punch that allows it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just under four seconds.
How would you spec your Audi RS5?
It took Audi quite a few years to offer a competitor for the BMW 4 Series, previously known as the 3 Series Coupe, as the A5 made its debut back in 2007. The performance-spec RS5 took another three years to arrive in showrooms as a competitor for the BMW M4 and Mercedes-AMG C63. With a brand-new A5 launched in 2016, an updated RS5 was finally introduced at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Now that the German coupe made its way to the United States, you can configure the RS5 of your dreams from the comfort of your home.
2018 Audi RS5
The second-generation Audi A5 was introduced in June of 2016 as a 2017 model with a fresh look and updated technology. As the cards usually play over at Audi, it didn’t take long for the brand to finish updating the high-performance RS5, and we got to see it in all its glory at the 2017 Geneva Auto Show. It boasts an all-new look that is more aggressive than ever with more defined lines, wider flaring of the fenders and rear quarters, updated technology, new materials inside, and – more important to most – an all new 2.9-liter, Biturbo, V-6 that delivers a cool 450 horsepower and 442.5 pound-feet of payment decimating torque that’s sure to make your inner manhood squeal like a little girl on Christmas. Of course, that’s the same horsepower figure of the outgoing model, but a serious increase of torque to the tune of 125.5 pound-feet.
So, what does all that mean for performance? Well, the new RS5 can hit the 62 mph sprint in as little as 3.9 seconds – an improvement of 0.3 seconds over the outgoing model – and it breaks even in top speed at 174 mph. That’s not bad, but if you want to feel upset about no increase in horsepower, you might want to take into consideration that this RS5 has a much smaller engine compared to the 4.2-liter V-8 that was found in the last-gen model. But, the RS5 really is about more than just engine specs and performance numbers, so let’s dive on in and take a look at the whole picture before this bad boy makes it into dealer showrooms later this year.
Update 03/12/2018: Audi has decided to sell the RS5 in the United States, and it has a significantly lower price than expected. Check out the details in the “Pricing” section below.
2017 Audi RS5 Coupe RS500 By Manhart Racing
Manhart Racing is known for creating some incredible tuning programs in the past, most recently turning the BMW M5 into an 800-horsepower powerhouse. Now the German tuner is turning its sights on the Audi RS5 with a new program that packs plenty of aftermarket punch. Ok, maybe it’s not as potent as the M5’s kit, but it’s still good enough to bring some extra level of excitement to Audi’s resident mid-size performance coupe.
In keeping with Manhart Racing’s tradition, the aptly named RS500 tuning program is packing the load with power and performance bits. It also features a number of handy visual upgrades in case you’re in the mood to turn your RS5s into something that looks right at home in the Fast and Furious franchise. But enough of the small talk. The RS500 program is largely tied into the objective of giving the Audi RS5 more than what it’s capable of. It’s about giving the RS5 the chance to maximize its potential as a performance car. It’s about turning the spotlight to arguably one of the most underrated performance cars in the market today. Give it some cosmetic upgrades, slap on a few engine upgrades, and dial up the suspension work. That’s the name of Manhart Racing’s RS500 tuning game and the results, well, they certainly speak for themselves. So if any of you own an Audi RS5 and you’re looking to give it an aftermarket touch, you’re going to need to take a long and hard look at what Manhart Racing has on the table.
Continue after the jump to read more about the Audi RS5 RS500 by Manhart Racing.
2018 Audi RS4 And RS5 Carbon Editions
In a day and age where “special edition” models can mean just about anything under the sun, Audi has found a nifty trick to kill two birds with one stone by offering special edition models for the Audi RS4 Avant and the Audi RS5 Coupe. Officially, both models are have been designated as Carbon Editions, a nod to the smattering of carbon bits they received that help make them lighter and a bit more fun to drive on the open road.
The lightweight blueprint is a tried-and-tested one, and many automakers have taken that approach to squeeze out every ounce of improved performance they can out of their cars without having to pump more power out of the engines. Audi’s approach with the RS4 and RS5 Carbon Editions is similar by the sheer number of carbon fiber reinforced polymer add-ons both models received. The goal of replacing the standard parts with CFRP counterparts is to make both cars lighter, which is exactly what Audi accomplished. The RS4, for example, is now 80 kilos (176 pounds) lighter than its standard counterpart whereas the RS5 slashes 60 kilos (132 pounds) from its original weight. Does the weight loss spell massive improvements in performance? Not quite. But don’t think that these are “standard” RS4s and RS5s either. If anything, these two new special editions should be lighter on their feet, and we know what that equates to in the end.
Continue after the jump to read more about the Audi RS4 Avant and RS5 Coupe Carbon Editions.
Audi Exec Calls Audi RS5 Coupe’s Published Performance Numbers "Conservative"
We’re well past the halfway point of 2017 and the first half of the year has brought us plenty of exciting cars to look forward to. One new car that hasn’t gotten as much love as it probably deserves is the Audi RS5 Coupe. It was introduced at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, and while it had a good run in the spotlight, it hasn’t had the same kind of sustained exposure the German automaker wants. Well, that changes today because Audi Sport’s Head of Technical Development Stephen Reil dropped a juicy bit of information about the sports coupe in an interview with Car Advice. In so many words, Reil is claiming that the RS5 Coupe is even faster than Audi’s own published claims.
Reil specifically singled-out the RS5 Coupe’s acceleration time in the interview. Apparently, the automaker’s claim that the performance coupe can clock in a 0-to-62-mph time is conservative to what it can actually do. According to Reil, the car can actually accelerate from an idle position to 62 mph in “as little as 3.7 seconds under ideal conditions.” Now the caveat of “ideal conditions” will raise some eyebrows, but Reil added that “even under the worst conditions,” it can do its published 3.9-second acceleration time.” This is interesting because if the RS5 Coupe can really do 3.7 seconds going from a full stop position to 62 mph, it will separate itself from its competitors, namely the Mercedes-AMG C63 and the BMW M4, at least as far as this comparison is concerned.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
Are You Ready? Audi Sport Promises Eight New U.S. Models By 2020
The basis for Audi Sport has been around since 1983 but operated under the name Quattro GmbH, a name that paid tribute to the original Audi Quattro – a rally-inspired road car that changed the Audi changed the Audi brand forever. Well, Audi had to keep up with the times and spruce things up a bit, so in 2016, the Quattro brand was renamed to Audi Sport. Now, in 2017, The Audi Sport name has been established here in the U.S., and it all happened at the New York Auto Show. What’s really important, however, isn’t the introduction of Audi Sport here in the U.S. but what it means for those of us with an RS itch that just can’t be scratched.
Up until now, the only Audi Sport or RS models you could get in the states have been limited to the R8, R8 Spyder, and the RS7. We’ve had to sit and watch in agonizing pain as other markets, like Germany, get a much wider lineup that includes the RS 3 Sportback, RS3 Limo, RS 5 Coupe, RS 6 Avant, RS7 Sportback, TT RS Coupe, and the TT RS Roadster. That’s a whole lineup of sexy, race-tuned performance for the taking, but as I said, we haven’t had the luxury. All that is about to change though, thanks to the introduction of Audi Sport here in the U.S. To kick things off in the U.S., we’re going to get the 2017 R8 V10 Spyder, and for the first time ever, we’re going to get the RS 3. Later on, we’ll be getting the RS 5 Coupe – a model that’s powered by a brand-new 2.9-liter V-6 with 450 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Audi promises that it’ll be able to get you to 62 mph in all of 3.9 seconds.
But, that’s not all we’re getting. According to Audi, we’ll see a total of eight new Audi Sport models unleashed on the U.S. market over the next 24 months. There’s no word as to what models these will be outside of what we’ve already discussed, but it sure will be nice to have an RS option that doesn’t set you back six figures, don’t you think?
Keep reading for the rest of the story
The Audi RS 5 DTM Looks Ready To Take On Any Competition
Most of Audi’s cars leave me feeling unimpressed and always wishing for more, at least in the looks department, but Audi’s race cars have never let me down. The last-gen RS 5 DTM was beautiful, powerful, and full of aggressiveness that says “I want to eat your face.” But, racing regulations have changed since that last RS 5 DTM rolled onto the track for the first time, so there was no telling how the next-gen model would look. Then, the doors to the Geneva Auto Show opened to the public and what did we see sitting alongside the road-going RS 5? You guessed it – the next-gen RS 5 DTM. New regulations require these cars be harder to drive, in hopes that it will put more emphasis on the skill of the man (or woman) behind the wheel. That means reduced aerodynamic downforce, different tire setups, and a car that sits higher than before. Be that as it may, the new RS 5 DTM still looks like it wants to eat your face, and your children, for that matter.
Changes to the body include the new-gen headlights, a sticker that resembles the new RS5’s wider grille, revised side skirts that have fewer winglets and a whole new design in the rear, and more rounded wheel arches. In the rear, the GTM receives new, sleeker taillights and a new rear diffuser that isn’t quite as aggressive and has a few more fins. The Spoiler is now angled less aggressively. Overall, it’s an attractive looking race car and certainly looks like it’s ready to tackle the competition. The DTM will ride a little high and makes use of softer tires supplied by Hankook, and are actually designed to offer quicker lap times from the start, but start degrading after just a few laps. But, there’s a little more to talk about, so click “continue reading” to learn more.
The New Audi RS5 Is Very Easy On The Eyes
There’s always some pressure in being the first of something, no matter what that something is. Sometimes, that pressure turns into a diamond and there other times when it gets pulverised by the weight of expectations tied around it. In the case of Audi and the new RS5, otherwise known as the first RS-badged Audi to come out of freshly rebranded Audi Sport division, the expectations that come with being the “first” was turned into this beautiful-looking machinery that’s very easy on the eyes.
Far be it for me to quickly confess to falling in love, but there is something about the new RS5’s design that’s tugging at those precarious heart strings. I can’t tell if it’s the sloping hood, the aggressive bumper with the massive inlets, or the natural
like stance. Maybe it’s even a combination of all these things put together. What I can tell you is that the RS5 finally looks the part of a an RS model after years of seemingly being a blanket of blandness, hiding behind a badge.
This... this is what the Audi RS5 should look like. The sporty and aggressive front end combines with a muscular rear section to create a well-balanced look that fits into what an RS model should while also still clinging to status and class of being a mid-sized luxury sedan wearing a four rings badge. Even the windmill-like design of those 19-inch alloys comes naturally to the RS5, blending seamlessly into the overall design of the car while still having enough "pop!" to stand out on its own.
Just so it’s clear. The new Audi RS5 made its debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show this week. Even with the cavalcade of world debuts and concepts in that floor, the RS5 is probably going to be difficult to miss.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
2018 Audi RS5 Cabriolet
Back in 2007, Audi made its return to the high-end compact coupe segment with the A5, offering a hardtop, cabriolet, and four-door “Sportback” bodystyle. Bearing many similarities to the A4 sedan, the A5 stood apart thanks to its significantly sportier feel, making it a prime candidate for a go-faster S5 variant. But as Audi’s chief rivals upped the ante with ever-increasing performance levels, the Four Ring brand was compelled to create the top dog RS5. Boasting more aggressive styling, snappier suspension, and of course, more power, the RS5 had all the trimmings to meet its AMG and M division challengers. Initially offered as a coupe, the RS5 went topless in 2012 following a mid-cycle facelift, hitting U.S. dealers in April of 2013. Unfortunately, production ended in 2015, but now, a next-gen RS5 Cabriolet looks like it’s just over the horizon. Official details are still forthcoming, but we’re expecting a massaged exterior, new interior tech, and a turbo V-6.
While nothing at this point is official, the new RS5 Cabriolet is expected to drop cover after a reveal of the next-gen RS5 Coupe, which was recently spotted testing following the debut of the new A5 and S5.
Audi aficionados with a penchant for adrenaline-boosted open-air motoring have no doubt been clamoring to catch a glimpse of the new model, but without anything official to go on, we drew up a rendering, did a little digging, and came up with the following speculative review. Read on for the details.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 Audi RS5 Cabriolet.
Audi has set a new lap record for diesel-powered cars around the German Sachsenring race track. The vehicle used was the 2014 Audi RS 5 TDI competition concept, which managed to complete a run around the 3.6 km (2.2-mile) course in 1 minute 35.35 seconds, besting the previous record by 1.87 seconds. Powering the car was an innovative twin-turbo six-cylinder that gets an additional boost from an electrically driven compressor.
Behind the wheel was professional racer Nicki Thiim, who drove the Audi on its record-breaking run as part of Sachsenring Record Day, an event organized by Michelin and the German magazine Auto Bild Sportscars. The achievement echoes similar success attained earlier in the spring, when the German publication Sport Auto brought the RS 5 concept to Hockenheim and posted the quickest lap in the mag’s history for a diesel-powered car.
Continue reading for the full story.
The Audi RS family is now short by two members, according to a report out of Germany. The claim is that the German automaker has temporarily discontinued the 2013 Audi RS4 Avant and the 2014 Audi RS5 Coupe and 2014 Audi RS5 Cabriolet.
What’s odd about this report is the timing. You see, the A4 and A5 are set for updates in 2016, and their respective RS versions will not arrive until 2017. This means that there will be a full two years before the new versions of these models roll out.
On the surface, there isn’t a very good reason for discontinuing these two with such a large gap between now and the production restart. Obviously, there is more to this than meets the eye, but I am drawing a blank as to what the other reasons could be.
For those of you who simply cannot wait until 2017, the S4 and S5 will get their refresh in 2016 as well. This way, you can get at least a taste of Audi performance without waiting too awfully long.
To make matters worse, if you were planning on running out and picking up one of these discontinued models now, you may be out of luck. According to the report, Audi has already stopped production and is not taking any more orders of these two RS models. So, you had better hope that dealers in your area have a little leftover stock.
I hope that we’ll have some updates on the next-generation RS4 and RS5 soon, but I don’t recommend holding your breath.
Continue reading for the full story.
The Audi RS 5 burst into the scene back in 2010 when Audi decided that a high-powered sports coupe would be a worthy addition to the A5 family. The decision turned out to be a stroke of fortuitous timing for Audi as the voluminous sales of the R8 supercar created a demand for a cheaper sports-car alternatives from Audi. Since its arrival, the RS 5 has held its own in its segment, even though it probably needs to get a decent-sized update soon. But instead of taking that route, Audi’s been content with keeping the sports coupe’s original guts intact.
The RS 5 is still good enough to be a legitimate sports prowler in the market, and with models like the 75-unit RS 5 Sport Edition, we can still see the sports coupe as a legitimate option in its segment. But with new models like the BMW M4 and to a lesser extent, the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG, there’s going to be a time when Audi will have to roll out a new RS 5.
Until then, special-edition models like the Sport Edition can probably still hold down the fort.
Click past the read more about the Audi Exclusive RS 5 Coupe Sport Edition.
ABT Sportsline isn’t bashful about admitting its expertise in developing aftermarket programs for Audi vehicles. It’s actually quite proud of it; often touting itself as the biggest tuner of Audis in the world. That distinction didn’t happen overnight; it took a long time and it was certainly well-earned. If you’re still not believer, then you might want to take a look at the German tuner’s latest Audi program for the RS5.
The RS5 is, by all accounts, the closest thing to a performance powerhouse Audi has aside from the R8. At the very least, the RS5 is the most extreme four-seat sports car Audi has in its cupboard. It’s really the ideal car for ABT Sportsline, and the German tuner certainly didn’t disappoint.
ABT Sportsline’s new program for the RS5 is as comprehensive as it gets. It’s got cosmetic tweaks, aerodynamic upgrades, and performance modifications. The German tuner even threw in a new set of “black magic” wheels for good measure.
Now I’m not an authority in wheels, but something about that “black magic” name makes for a more interesting, if not a little intimidating aftermarket program. Leave it to ABT Sportsline to do just that.
Click past the jump to read more about the Audi RS5-R By ABT Sportsline.
Audi has announced it will be adopting a 48-volt electrical system in its vehicles starting in the near future. The new high-power electrical system is said to give engineers the ability to make sportier, more efficient, and more convenient cars.
“We are using the full bandwidth of electrification in our drive principles strategy,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenbert, a Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at Audi. “Running part of the vehicle electrical system at 48 volts plays a central role in this. It enables us to make more energy available.”
We’ve already seen two examples of Audi vehicles with the 48-volt system; the RS5 TDI and A6 TDI concepts. Both cars are fitted with an electrically powered compressor that gives extra boost to the engine, helping eliminate turbo lag. The compressor is a separate system than the engine, so there is no parasitic loss.
Boosting power won’t be the only benefit. Audi says the upgraded electrical system will help boost advancements in dynamic chassis control systems.
The 48-volt system will even work while the main engine is powered off. A small bank of lithium-ion batteries will supply the juice. A DC/DC converter then integrates the standard, 12-volt electrical system. What’s more, the battery pack also works in conjunction with a new efficiency-optimized alternator, basically turning the vehicle into a mild hybrid system.
Audi says the new system can save owners 0.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, or roughly 0.105 gallons over 62 miles.
Click past the jump to read more about the Audi RS5 TDI Concept
It’s been a good 2014 for Audi. The company is on pace to sell 1.6 million cars this year, a record-breaking number that has come closer and closer to threatening BMW’s top sales numbers. But Audi isn’t just settling for the sales title. It also wants to continue to be on the cutting edge of innovation, something Audi boss Rupert Stadler brushed on when he announced plans to launch RS-badged high-performance diesel models in the future, possibly as soon as the end of the decade.
The company is optimistic that it already has the applications to transition the technology from concept form into production. Remember, the RS5 TDI concept showed that it was possible to slap an e-turbo-diesel engine into an Audi without compromising the car’s performance capabilities.
Stadler understands that the key in achieving that goal is to take a step-by-step process on piecing together the tools and technology needed to make it work on a production model.
You can count on Audi to always be at the forefront of innovation. The German automaker thrives on being in that position, and when you give it incentive to succeed, you can bet that it’s going to pull out all the stops to make it happen.
Click past the jump to read more about Audi’s future diesel plans.
The Audi A5 has always been handsome. Rather than being pretty, it has a more masculine look, like something that Jon Hamm would probably drive. The best way to make a great-looking car better is to give it more power, which Audi gladly did with the S5. More is never enough though, so Audi cranked the performance up even more on the RS5.
For some buyers, the RS5 was fine, but others still needed more performance. With no RS5 Plus in the pipeline, those owners are are forced to turn to tuning companies. One such company to offer a performance tune for the RS5 is Senner Tuning out of Germany. Offering more than a 50-horsepower bump over the stock RS5, as well as a suspension tune, a new exhaust, new wheels, and an appearance package, there’s no mistaking the Senner Tuning RS5 something that’s far from run-of-the-mill.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Audi RS5 Coupe by Senner Tuning.
Audi’s brand-new electric turbodiesel engine, which was showcased in the RS5 TDI Concept last month, is set to become more than just an experiment. That’s the word from Australian outlet Drive, which claims the drivetrain will hit the streets in the next-generation Q7 SUV. Needless to say, we are not surprised.
The said oil burner displaces 3.0 liters and features an all-new e-boost unit that provides maximum torque from just 1,250 rpm, until the regular turbo kicks in at 3,000 rpm. This technology eliminates turbo lag, and enables the diesel to perform better and respond quicker when the gas pedal hits the floor.
The concept version of the engine mounted in the RS5 TDI delivers 385 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough to push the coupe from naught to 62 mph in only four seconds and label it as the fastest six-cylinder diesel vehicle ever developed within the Volkswagen Group. We expect these numbers to change once the production engine finds its way into the Q7’s bay, but the SUV should be quite the performer.
Click past the jump to read more about this technology and the Audi RS5 TDI Concept.
It’s been 25 years since Audi launched its TDI engine, and the Germans are celebrating the milestone by introducing a diesel-powered Audi RS5. Just a concept vehicle for now, the RS5 had its regular V-8 engine replaced by an oil-burning 3.0-liter TDI that features the company’s new electric turbo unit.
What’s so special about that, you may ask? Well, is appears that Audi somehow managed to enable its electric turbo to provide maximum torque from just 1,250 rpm. The unit basically ensures there’s no turbo lag until the regular turbos kick in at 3,000 rpm, turning the RS5 TDI Concept into a major breakthrough.
With that pesky turbo lag out of the way, the diesel RS5 is quite a performer too, needing only four seconds to accelerate from naught to 62 mph. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without help from the 385 ponies and the 553 pound-feet of torque under the hood. Needless to say, the RS5 TDI is the fastest six-cylinder diesel vehicle ever developed within the Volkswagen Group.
But will this concept vehicle make it in to production to become the company’s first diesel RS? Unfortunately, Audi has yet to make a statement on that, but we have a hunch this new electric turbo technology will become more than just an experiment. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the RS5 TDI hop on the assembly line over the next couple of years, but, if that doesn’t happen, the electric turbo will find its way into other production cars.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Audi RS 5 TDI Concept.
Summer is still more than a month away, but the folks over at ABT Sportsline are gearing up for the hot season with an equally hot convertible based on the 2014 Audi RS5.
However, unlike the RS7 the company started offering last year with up to 700 horsepower on tap, the RS5 in question comes with no powertrain updates whatsoever. This means customers will have to settle for the 450 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque delivered by the 4.2-liter V-8 or look into other Abt Sportsline options.
Don’t be too disappointed though, having more than 500 horsepower in a convertible isn’t always pleasant. And, truth be told, there are plenty of options out there wearing either BMW or Mercedes-Benz badges.
Anyway, ABT’s RS5 isn’t exactly bone stock, as it comes fitted with a stainless-steel muffler system that includes both a mid and a rear muffler. The end result is a throatier and more aggressive V-8 exhaust note that will let everybody know this isn’t a regular RS5. You can also opt to remove the speed limiter on your RS5 from ABT, bumping the top speed to 180 mph from the stock 174 mph.
Click past the jump to read more about the Audi RS5 Convertible By ABT Sportsline.
Although its domination at the 24 Hours of Le Mans already spans over 14 years, Audi has been struggling to win the manufacturers’ title in the German-based DTM racing series for a couple of seasons now.
Audi clinched the drivers’ championship five times the past seven seasons, but since BMW returned to DTM in 2012, Ingolstadt has yet to triumph in the constructor’s category. With the 2014 season opener just a month away, the Germans have unleashed the updated RS5 DTM racer that will take on both BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Improving an already-successful track car is not an easy task, especially given DTM’s strict regulations, so Audi had to focus on redesigning the vehicle’s aerodynamic package. In other words, it’s all in the little details, especially those that are basically invisible from the outside.
But aside from these performance-enhancing updates, Audi also opted to add some production parts from the road-going 2014 RS5, such as the honeycomb front grille and air ducts for the engine and the braking system, to its DTM race car.
Click past the jump to read more about the Audi RS5 DTM.
It is a battle of the heavyweight German super coupes; the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG 507 against the Audi RS5. In this episode of Motor Trend’s Head2Head, they take these two V-8-powered monsters and try to decide which is best. Will Audi’s Quattro AWD help it pull ahead, or does that incredible engine in the AMG take top honors.
I won’t ruin anything for anybody, but we can look at some of the high points.
Jonny Lieberman takes the wheel to give these cars a thorough once-over and he comes to a lot of conclusions I agree with. Firstly, the Audi is the better looking car. Not in the crazy “go-fast” way, but as a genuinely pretty car the Audi easily takes top honors.
The Mercedes may lose in style, but Jonny says it walks away with better braking and steering feel. It also doesn’t suffer from the understeer that the Audi does.
It is quite the close battle; click play to see who comes out on top.
The Audi RS V-8 engine is a dreamboat. But is that stock Audi RS5’s 4.2-liter V-8 engine with 450 enough to keep pace with twin-turbo BMW’s and Mercedes-Benz super-coupes?
Many auto-bahn drivers would agree that a car like this can do much better than what Audi is offering from factory.
The German tuner McChip-DKR decided the RS5 can be further improved and is offering a tuning kit for pretty much every taste out there. In fact the new kit is offered in three different stages, so you can get the RS5 to the power level you will like - or your wallet will allow.
In stage 1 the V-8’s output was increased up to 550 horsepower, but if you need more you can also opt for a stage 3 of upgrades that will take the final output to an even cooler 600 horsepower. The only problem is that the kit is a little bit expensive and you can pay up to $36,500 for it.
Click past the jump to read more about the Audi RS5 by McChip-DKR.
The gifts just keep coming from Audi’s quattro performance tuning division: stunning first official images of the brand-new 2014 RS5 Cabriolet, which will be coming to American Audi dealers later this fall.
Joining the R8 and the new RS7, the RS5 Cabriolet brings enough horsepower and visual aggression to break glass with just one stare. Yes, the Audi’s LEDs are not exactly the friendly smile worn by many cars in traffic. The metallic honeycomb grille is gigantic and looks capable of ingesting a whole family of birds at its 174 mph top speed.
The atmospheric V-8 produces 450 horsepower, with an optional sports exhaust and Black Optics package hiding the twin coffee-can oval exhaust outlets under the diffuser panel. These cans are so large that they define the lower rear graphic of the RS5, and look really incredible with the sharp bumper corners up top. Dark wheels bring standard steel discs with an interesting fluted edge design, but carbon ceramic brakes are available for ultimate autobahn stopping power.
Any tradeoff versus the RS5 coupe yet? Wind in your hair, Audi’s classic aluminum brightwork on the windshield surround, and a flat soft-top all seem better than the coupe. Seating for four is also possible in the RS5 Cab, which loses only 2 cubic-feet of luggage room with the top down.
A $10,000 premium sees RS5 Cab base prices at $78,000, but the optional comfort seats with heat and ventilation look ideal for this beach bruiser, so budget about $85,000 in total for the Black Optics upgrades as well.
Click past the jump for the full review of the 2014 Audi RS5 Cabriolet, the hottest four-seat Audi drop-top ever made.
The all-conquering Audi RS5 storms into 2014 with a few detail tweaks that enhance what is already the most extreme four-seat performance car the brand makes. The car packs some changes to the honeycomb grille’s color options and a handful of other refinements like redesigned LED optics out back and adaptive cruise inside.
The RS5 is so hardcore macho that it makes the R8 4.2 seem like a posh cruiser. The engine literally thunder-claps up its rev range in seconds with a bassy baritone from the front and a bellowing growl from the giant exhaust out back.
Audi’s two layers of performance upgrades mean that RS5 can be laser focused on delivering crushing acceleration and track performance at the expense of touring comfort. The increase in drama from the Audi S5 to the RS5 is akin to the C63 AMG versus the C63 AMG Black Series.
Next summer’s new M4 coupe will likely pack all the visual drama and matte paint options of the latest M6 GranCoupe and possibly even run a tri-turbo six-cylinder engine design for the first time. So, the RS6 may find itself fending off a new competitor in about a year’s time.
Click past the jump for the full review of the 2014 Audi RS5 coupe with highlights on cool performance options and the new-for-2014 features.
Back when Audi was planning the RS5, they promised us a convertible model. Now that the RS5 is alive, well, and leading the British cops on its fastest chase ever, we are anxiously awaiting the RS5 Cabriolet. While there is some time to wait, Audi is at least gracing us with all of the RS5 Cabriolet’s ins and outs.
As you can expect, the Cabriolet takes most of its queues from the hardtop model, but is does have its own little styling differences – besides the rag top, of course. With fierce competition coming from BMW and Mercedes, how well can this newcomer in the performance convertible realm really do? We’re going to into all of the specifications and features that Audi has graced us with and give you a full review of what to expect from this new model.
UPDATE 06/05/2013: Audi unveiled a new video showing the RS5 Cabriolet in action through the impressive landscape of Mallorca. Enjoy!
Click past the jump to read the full review and see how it stacks up to the competition.
If looks could kill, then we don’t want any part of this Audi RS5 in our crosshairs.
Those red headlights alone are enough to make us twitch in fear, but for aftermarket company OSS Designs, this build, which it described as a "pissed off stormtrooper," is one it hit completely out of the park.
OSS Designs had some help from Vossen Wheels, but for the most part, this RS5 Coupe had the imprint of OSS through and through.
In itself, the RS5 already looks and performs like a tried-and-true sports coupe, complete with the pedigree of being built by one of the industry’s preeminent automakers in Audi.
But just like every car, there’s always room for some aesthetic and aerodynamic improvements. OSS proved as much with this bodykit that will clearly attract some serious attention from owners of the Audi sports car.
Heck, if we had one of our own, we wouldn’t mind getting this kit installed on it.
Click past the jump to read more about OSS Design’s program for the Audi RS5
Audi unveiled its DTM race car for the 2013 racing season — the new RS 5 DTM — at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. There will be eight different RS 5 DTMs entering the 2013 DTM and the driver lineup will include Jamie Green (Great Britain) and two-time DTM Champion Mattias Ekström (Sweden).
The new DTM racecar was developed in accordance with the regulations announced by DTM officials for the 2013 racing season. Still, the DTM version offers pretty much the same performance data as the current RS5: a 4.2 liter V8 engine delivering a total of 450 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and a peak torque of 317.15 pound-feet available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm.
Unlike the production version, however, the DTM version will feature a pretty aggressive aerodynamic kit, updated front and rear suspension with double wishbones, and a hydraulic dual-circuit brake system.
The new Audi RS5 DTM will make its racing debut between April 26th and 29th at Barcelona, Spain and from April 9th to 12th at Hockenheim.
The RS version of the new Audi A5 is one car that definitely needs no upgrades, but German tuner, ABT Sportsline, chose to do it anyways. The tuner will unveil its RS5-R tuning kit, which will upgrade both the look and the engine output of the RS5, at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
For the exterior, ABT prepared an aerodynamic kit that includes a new front apron, front splitter, side skirts and rear wing - all made in carbon fiber. The car sits on a set of 20-inch alloy wheels combined with high-performance tires. For the interior, ABT combined the highest quality black and red Alcantara with carbon-fiber insertions on the door panels. The bucket seats received racing stripes and for increased safety a stainless-steel roll cage and four-point seat belts.
The best upgrades were made under the hood where the tuner combined the V-8 engine with a new exhaust system with lateral dual pipes. As a result, the standard 450 horsepower output has been increased by 20 horsepower and the 0-to-60 mph sprint is now made in 4.6 seconds - 0.3 seconds quicker than standard version.
We know that for Valentine’s Day – yes, guys, today is the big “V-day” – you usually give your loved one candy or flowers, but what if your loved one is a real Audi fanatic? You can easily imagine that for someone like this, candy or flowers won’t do the trick, so, what’s the solution then?
Well, Audi has offered up its own gift for its Valentines and we have to admit, it looks a little bit creepy, but for some people this might be the perfect gift. We are talking about a very cool artwork: the Audi Heart concept. It is the heart of an Audi RS5 that has been reorganized to create ventricles, valves, pumps and an aorta.
In the Audi RS5, the V8 engine develops a total of 450 horsepower and a peak torque of 317 pound-feet. We hope that all of you Audiphiles receive this wonderful Valentine in your Valentine’s Day box today!
We pretty much know all that there is to know about the upcoming Audi RS5 Cabrio. We already know that it’s debuting in Germany in early-2013 and coming to the U.S. sometime later in the same year. However, we still have yet to see the actual car. Sure, renderings are great, but we want to see, feel and sniff this beauty for a few minutes.
Well, we’ll all get our chance at the 2013 North American International Auto Show this month, as the RS5 Cabrio will make its debut there. We also were not 100-percent certain if the RS5 Cabrio would be a 2013 model or a 2014 model here in The States, but from what we’re hearing, it will be a 2014 model year. Of course, it will remain a 2013 model year in the European market, as it is well before the cutoff.
In case you need a refresher course, the 2014 RS5 Cabrio will carry a 4,163 cc V-8 engine that wallops the concrete with 450 horsepower and 317.15 pound-feet of torque. This is enough power to launch the RS5 Cabrio to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.9 seconds. Audi will limit its top speed at 155.34 mph, but you can request to have the limiter removed if you prefer 173.98 mph winds blowing through your hair.
We’ll update you with all of the real-life images of the RS5 Cabrio once Audi unveils it.
After testing it for quite some time now, Audi will be unveiling the new RS5 Cabrio at the end of September at the Paris Auto Show, but the first details on the car will be dropped on September 6th.
Just like with the coupe version, the RS5 Cabrio will be powered by a 4.2 liter V8 engine with an output of 450 HP and a peak torque of 317.15 lb-ft available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The engine will be combined with Audi’s seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive system. This powerful engine will be combined with an improved suspension, more powerful brakes and a revised steering system.
"For over 15 years, Audi RS models have represented the dynamic vanguard of the Audi model lineup. RS fascination lives on in the new Audi RS 5 Cabriolet – the perfect combination of power and elegance."
Criminals are all too often not the brightest bulbs in the pack and this usually results in them using something like a 1989 Dodge Shadow as their getaway car. Well, not to compliment a robber, but this UK thief took planning to a whole new level and stole himself a real getaway ride, a 450-horsepower Audi RS5.
After his 16th robbery of a UK business, he took off in the RS5 and the police could hardly keep up – seeing the cars they drive, it is no surprise. The dude even outran a helicopter. It wasn’t until he decided to make a stopover at a local apartment complex that he was tracked down and busted.
The police estimated that he was doing upwards of 180 mph during the chase and by the looks of the helicopter camera, his tires gave way at some point and he was shooting sparks from the rims – a tribute to that wonderful Quattro AWD system, if I may add.
In all, this 65-mile run from the cops in a stolen Audi beast – and the multiple robberies – landed this thief in jail for nine years. A rather light sentence for all of those crimes and an extremely fast police chase. We guess they do things a little differently in the UK.
Anyways, check out the above video to see all of the craziness. You’ll notice that the cameras are pretty choppy in the beginning, but the chase section is nice and smooth.
This year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is finally just around the corner after being canceled because of the Waldo Canyon wildfire in Colorado Springs. With the race taking place in the next week - August 12th to be exact - Audi is now announcing their presence at the climb with a teaser image of their competition vehicle, the RS5.
All we have for now is this teaser image revealed by Audi on their Facebook page, but details surrounding the racer should be revealed next week when it begins its ascent. Audi previously announced that Walter Rohl would return to Pikes Peak as the driver of the the original Sport Quattro S1 he raced to victory a quarter of a century ago. They even released a video of the car’s preparations, meaning Audi could have two vehicles competing.
More details on this Audi RS5 Pikes Peak will be unveiled next week, so stay tuned!
UPDATE 08/10/2012: After delivering the first teaser image the other day, Audi has now unveiled the first official images of the RS5 which will climb Pikes Peak next week. These images also come with the announcement that Audi will team up with Ducati at Pikes Peak to celebrate their common heritage at this iconic mountain.
Today is Power Convertible Day at the Nürburgring. Earlier, we introduced spy shots of the upcoming Lexus IS-F Convertible, and now we have another set of photos, this time of the Audi RS5 Convertible during its own testing on the ’Ring.
The strange thing is that - unlike the previous prototypes caught testing - this vehicle is wearing heavy camouflage leading us to believe that there will be some minor tweaks on the exterior which Audi wants to keep a secret.
Just like the coupe version, the RS5 Convertible will be powered by a 4.2 liter V8 engine delivering a total of 450 HP at 8,250 rpm and a peak torque of 317.15 lb-ft available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph will be made in 4.7 - 4.8 seconds - because the convertible version will be bit heavier when compared to the coupe, but top speed will still come limited to 155 mph.
Expect to see the new Audi RS5 Convertible launched by the end of the year.