Geneva 2017 was chosen as the place to unveil the second-generation 2017 Audi RS5 Coupe, and its new styling, new technology and perhaps most significant of all, new engine were all on show for the world to see.
The RS5 Coupe shares the same curvy styling as the regular A5 Coupe – itself launching in Australia in the coming months – as well as the same well-acclaimed, swoopy interior. Externally, the RS5 adds pumped wheel arches to add an extra 15mm of width, 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels as well as more aggressive front and rear styling, including huge dual exhaust pipes. An available exterior gloss black package allows owners to personalise their RS5 Coupe.
The most significant aspect of the new RS5 however, is the engine. Gone is the 4.2-litre V8 of the old model, replaced with a new 2.9-litre V6 with two turbos attached. Peak power output is an unchanged 331kW, but peak torque jumps a huge 170Nm to a total of 600. Acceleration and top speed have improved as well, down 0.7 seconds to 3.9 seconds 0-100km/h and up to an electronically limited top speed of 280km/h. Despite the added performance, Audi claims a fuel consumption average of just 8.7L/100km – not bad for a car with such great performance potential. Emissions are rated at 197g/km of CO2.
Being an Audi, the RS5 Coupe puts its power to the road via the company’s Quattro all-wheel drive system, this time with a 60:40 front/rear split and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. On the options list will be DCC Dynamic Chassis Control, ceramic brakes, dynamic steering and a sports rear differential, although some or all of these may be standard, once the Australian specification is revealed.
The RS5 Coupe’s interior isn’t too dissimilar to the normal A5. It’s got lashings of carbon fibre trim on the dashboard and door trims, sculpted sports seats, an alcantara flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters, an RS-specific version of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital dials, red interior mood lighting and a heads-up display.
The RS5 Coupe is proof of Australia’s love for performance cars – despite its circa-$150,000 pricing, more than 5,000 of the first-generation car were sold here. Understandably, Audi Australia are quite keen to get the RS5 on sale and we’re told that it will be on sale by the end of 2017, with pricing not expected to change dramatically. Joining the RS5 Coupe sometime in the future will be an RS5 Cabriolet, and possibly even an RS5 Sportback as well.
