Audi announces pricing for the first-ever RS 5 Sportback
The RS 5 Sportback takes the DNA from its Coupe sibling and seamlessly integrates five-door practicality.
With a lightweight chassis, dynamic quattro drive and a powerful V6 biturbo engine this new muscle car concept is sure to set pulses racing.
"The very first Audi RS 5 Sportback is an outstanding concept for a contemporary performance car.
It combines incredible pace and poise you expect from the legendary RS 5, with five-door versatility for those who do not want to compromise on the classic Gran Turismo styling," said Shawn Ticehurst, Director of Product Planning and Pricing at Audi Australia.
"Together with attractive pricing and an outstanding level of standard features that cover all facets of performance, technology, connectivity and infotainment, we anticipate that the RS 5 Sportback has enormous opportunity in the Australian performance car market."
Designers drew inspiration for the RS 5 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 Audi RS 5.
The exterior design of the new Audi RS 5 Sportback combines sweeping curves and taut, athletic surfaces.
The longer wheelbase, short overhangs and long, wraparound engine cover with power dome all emphasise the dynamism of the model.
The characteristic wavy shape of the powerful shoulder line is a visual highlight of the high-performance GT.
When viewed at an angle from behind, the modeled sides look particularly impressive.
Here, quattro blisters emphasise the strong bulges over the wheel housings, which have been extended by 15 millimetres.
At the front, the Audi RS 5 Sportback features a wide, flat single-frame grille, solid air intakes with a honeycomb structure typical of an RS model, and a front spoiler with distinctive quattro lettering.
Aside from the headlights, the vehicle features additional design elements in gloss black, making the RS 5 Sportback appear even wider.
An RS-specific diffuser insert, RS exhaust system with oval tailpipes and fixed spoiler lip give the rear end its sportiness.
The new Audi RS 5 Sportback can be customised with the Gloss Black and Carbon, styling packages.
The all-new Audi-developed 2.9 TFSI V6 biturbo engine offers exceptional power and efficiency, as well as an incomparably full-bodied RS sound.
It produces 331 kW. Its peak torque of 600 Nm– is available across a wide band from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.
The 2.9 TFSI unit's twin turbochargers are positioned between the cylinder banks. 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.
It allows for more efficient combustion and increased engine efficiency.
In the ADR test cycle, the V6 biturbo consumes just 8.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, corresponding to 202 grams CO2 per kilometre.
The biturbo's power flows through a sportily-tuned, eight-speed tiptronic with optimised shift times to deliver a constant stream of power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.
The drive forces are distributed asymmetrically (40:60) to the front and rear axles, to guarantee dynamic handling with optimal traction.
The sport differential actively transfers torque to the rear wheel with most traction, for powerful cornering acceleration.
A five-link suspension arrangement is used on the front and rear axle. . This benefits the sporty driving characteristics and agility. It also improves comfort significantly.
With the RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), the new Audi RS 5 Sportback sits much lower than the production A5 Sportback models.
Audi also offers 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 Sportback is luxuriously appointed, with a decidedly sporty edge.
Details such as RS sport seats with 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.
There are RS logos on 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.
Sonoma green metallic is available as an exclusive paint finish for the RS 5 Sportback.
When it arrives in Australia, the new RS 5 Sportback will be equipped with a substantial level of standard specification, equivalent to its Coupe sibling.
Key highlights include 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, gloss black exterior styling package, panoramic glass sunroof, as well as privacy glass and red-painted brake calipers.
Like the Coupe, a suite of high-performance features will be standard on all Australian RS 5 Sportback vehicles, including the quattro sport rear differential, RS sports exhaust system, as well as Dynamic Ride Control with adaptive dampers.
Standard infotainment features abound, like the Audi virtual cockpit, Audi connect, smartphone interface and DAB+ digital radio, as well as the high-end Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system.
On top of this, the RS 5 Sportback boasts additional standard equipment that the MY19 RS 5 Coupe also benefits from: Head-up display, Phone box light wireless smartphone charging and USB outlets for rear passengers.
The all-new Audi RS 5 Sportback will land in Australian showrooms in February.
Pricing*
RS 5 Coupe 2.9 TFSI quattro tiptronic (331kW) = $157,700
RS 5 Sportback 2.9 TFSI quattro tiptronic (331kW) = $157,700
*MLP – Manufacturer's List Price (excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)
You can find more info here: https://forms.audi.com.au/upcoming-models?ui=audi
