AUDI RS 5 SPORTBACK SPECIAL EDITION RS 5 TFSI Quattro Performance Edition 5dr Tiptroni

Audi's improved RS 5 Sportback five-door coupe targets BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63 buyers. Jonathan Crouch checks out what's on offer.

Ten Second Review

Fast, frantic but perfectly practical, the Audi RS 5 Sportback aims to be the market's definitive mid-sized high performance five-door hatch. It gets a sophisticated quattro 4WD system and can hit 174mph on the Nurburgring but is just as happy collecting your dry cleaning. The spec of this revised version looks impressive, including an RS sport exhaust system and a sport differential. You only truly get a sense of just how fast it is by following behind in something else.

Background

If you know your fast Audis, you're probably familiar with the RS 5 model - as a Coupe. Here though, the Ingolstadt brand's 'Audi Sport' division has taken that model's potent twin turbo V6 and installed it into the company's Sportback five-door coupe body shape for a bit of added practicality. It targets similarly-performing mid-sized models like the Mercedes-AMG C 63 but brings a key advantage - Audi's quattro 4WD system which is mated to a stiff, light MLB platform. Plus buyers get a standard rear Sport differential to help get the torque to the tarmac through the turns. This car was first launched in 2018, then lightly revised to create the car we're going to look at here.

Driving Experience

Not a lot prepares you for just how quick this car really is. To be specific, rest to 62mph here occupies just 3.9s, which is a fraction quicker than you'll go in what is arguably this model's closest rival, the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Estate. As usual with fast Audis, the maximum speed is rather pointlessly capped at 155mph, though in this case, you can pay Ingolstadt an obscene amount of money to get the restrictor lifted, in which case your RS 5 Sportback will top out at 174mph. The creamy, rather digitalised engine soundtrack you get as the revs rise from the 450PS 2.9-litre V6 isn't a match for Audi's old 4.2-litre V8. After a while though, you rather warm to the way that this Porsche-developed powerplant snarls purposefully on up-shifts and lets out little pops and bangs as you snick the steering wheel paddle shifters down through the closely-stacked ratios of the 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox. This RS 5 certainly tackles the turns effectively. Part of that is down to the re-developed quattro system which usually directs 60% of torque to the back wheels but, if conditions demand, can send up to 85% of power to the back or, if necessary, as much as 70% to the front. The set-up's been designed to work with a torque vectoring system that applies minimal brake interventions to the wheels on the inside of any given curve before they start to spin, maximising traction and making handling more precise, agile and stable. Also playing its part here is the standard-fit 'sport differential' which at speed through tight corners can constantly vary the amount of torque distributed to each of the rear wheels.

Design and Build

The exterior design of this RS 5 Sportback is a blend of elegant curves and taut, athletic surfaces. The longer wheelbase, short overhangs and long, wraparound bonnet with power dome all help to signal intent, as do the characteristically powerful shoulder line and the quattro blisters in the flanks which emphasize the strong bulges over the extended wheel arches. At the front, the car features a wide, flat single-frame grille, solid air intakes with a honeycomb structure typical of an RS, gloss black design elements and a front spoiler with matte aluminium quattro lettering. At the rear an RS-specific diffuser insert, RS exhaust system with oval tailpipes and fixed spoiler lip further distance the car from its A5 series siblings. Inside, you get RS sport seats in Fine Nappa leather with honeycomb stitching, a flat-bottomed RS multifunction sports leather steering wheel and a special RS information display in the standard Audi virtual cockpit providing information on tyre pressure, torque and G forces. The cabin provides space for five people, and the square-shaped profile of the luggage bay with its useful width of exactly one metre allows passengers to make the most of the 480-litre luggage capacity. Folding down the rear seats with their 40:20:40 split ratio increases that to 1,300-litres.

Market and Model

You'll need around £68,000 for the RS 5 Sportback, the same amount that's necessary for the alternative two-door Coupe variant. This Sportback model is offered in three levels of trim, the standard variant, the mid-range 'Carbon Black' model and the top 'Vorsprung' derivative. Even the base version gets large 19-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, high gloss black exterior elements and an Audi Sport exhaust system to amplify the engine's soundtrack. Inside, you get Fine Nappa leather and Alcantara combination upholstery with contrast diamond stitching for the RS super sports seats, plus Piano Black inlays. In addition, there's all-LED lighting and the fully digital Audi Virtual Cockpit instrument display screen with RS-specific displays. You also get driver safety elements including the Audi side assist blindspot monitoring system, Audi hill hold assist and the parking system plus. Plus a comprehensive range of infotainment choices is sure to keep everyone on board entertained. The optional 'MMI navigation plus with MMI touch' infotainment system includes the hardware module 'Audi connect', which connects the car 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. 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.

Cost of Ownership

This RS 5 won't be quite as costly to run as you might expect a 450PS performance hatch to be. This is thanks to a 17% improvement in running costs compared to the previous V8-engined model. What about the WLTP figures? Well expect up to 29.7mpg on the combined cycle and up to 215g/km of CO2, which isn't at all bad for a performance five-door model with this level of performance. Apparently, the 'B-cycle combustion process with central direct injection' engineering approach used with this car's 2.9-litre biturbo engine represents a super-high level of efficiency among the RS models. The shortened compression stroke employed 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, so allowing for more efficient combustion and increased engine efficiency. Another factor in the surprising efficiency of this RS 5 is its relatively low weight. On to the warranty. All contenders in this class get three years of cover but whereas you won't get your mileage limited in this period if you opt for something made by BMW or Mercedes, Audi rather meanly restricts you to 60,000 miles. Optional extra-cost warranty packages can extend the cover to either four years and 75,000 miles or five years and 90,000 miles.

Summary

Would this car sound better with Audi's old 4.2-litre V8? Probably. But there's little doubt that the V6 Porsche powerplant used - though less aurally emotive - has more real world punch. Which seems appropriate in such a resolutely real world performance car. Is it perfect? No of course it isn't. But what other high-performance four-wheel drive mid-sized hatch of this sort is there to challenge this one? The closest thing the market has to offer, a rear-driven Mercedes-AMG C 63 wagon, wouldn't give you the all-round grip and really needs a dry racetrack and a licence to burn rubber if it's to appeal over an RS 5 Sportback. As for a high performance SUV, forget it: you'd be all over the place just trying to keep this Audi in sight. Drive it and you'll experience a slightly guilty thrill as if something this much fun really couldn't be legal. One day cars like this might well be legislated out of existence. In the meantime, enjoy this one while you can.

Body Glass

Electric rear windows

Electric front windows

Rain and light sensors

Windscreen with heat insulating and acoustic glazing

Privacy glass tinted rear window and tinted rear door and side windows

Brakes

Multi collision brake assist

RS ceramic brakes - high performance brake system with carbon fibre reinforced ceramic brake discs at the front axle

Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) including ABS, ASR and EDL

Gloss anthracite grey painted brake calipers

Hill hold assist

Electromechanical parking brake

Carpets/Rugs

Front/rear floor mats in black with stitching in crescendo red and RS logo in front floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

RS sports suspension pro (coilover suspension) - manually adjustable in height, compression and rebound

Communication

Audi connect safety and service (e-call)

Bluetooth interface

Audi phone box with wireless charging

Audi smartphone interface

Voice control system

Driver Aids

Front and rear parking sensors

Progressive steering

Camera based traffic sign recognition

360 degree camera

Cruise control system with speed limiter

Audi side assist

Lane departure warning

RS drive modes on steering wheel

Driver Convenience

Advanced key with electric hands free boot opening system

Automatic start/stop system

RS Audi drive select

Driver Information

MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch includes 10.1" high resolution colour MMI display, 3D map

Audi virtual cockpit plus with RS layout and white dials

Service interval indicator

Email, calendar and text messages displayed via MMI

Driving Mirrors

Black exterior mirror housings

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors with integrated LED side indicators and kerb view function for passenger side

Embellishment Trims

Piano black finish inlay

Engine

Top speed restriction increase to 186mph

Updated centre (Torsen) differential with rear torque bias

Entertainment

DAB digital radio reception

Bang + Olufsen 3D sound system

2 x USB charging port with aux input socket

2 USB charging points in 2nd row

Exterior Body Features

RS bumper with quattro lettering

RS sport exhaust system with matt black tailpipe trims

Larger singleframe grill

Body colour door handles

Rear side wing doors

RS5 dual branch chrome tailpipes with left and right oval pipes

RS5 badges on grille, the front wing panels and rear

Exterior Lights

High beam assistant

LED daytime running lights

LED 3rd brake light

Audi Beam uses LEDs to project the RS logo

LED rear lights with dynamic indicators

Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light, dynamic light sequencing and dynamic indicator

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Deluxe 3 zone electronic climate control

Interior Features

Aluminium shift paddles

Stainless steel pedals

Dinamica microfibre/leather upholstery

Gear selector in alcantara gaiter with stitching in crescendo red

Front centre armrest

3 spoke flat bottomed alcantara high multi-function sport steering wheel with stitching in crescendo red

Alcantara side part of centre console with contrast stitching in crescendo red

Black cloth headlining

Illuminated door sill trims with RS5 logo

Packs

Glossy black pack - RS5

RS bodystyling pack - RS5

Extended LED Interior multi-coloured lighting pack - A5/RS5

Black styling pack plus - RS5

Safety

Tyre pressure warning

Seatbelt monitoring

Pre sense city

6 airbags - Driver, front passenger, curtain and side airbags

Height adjustable front seatbelts

Pop-up bonnet for pedestrian protection

Attention and drowsiness assist

First aid kit, warning triangle and high visibility jacket

Electric child locks

Front passenger airbag deactivation

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Seat belts in black with outline in crescendo red for front and outer rear seats

Seats

40:20:40 split folding 3 rear bench seat in 2nd row with rear centre armrest

Front head restraints

Single front passenger seat

Manually adjustable front seats without lumbar support

Rear head restraints

ISOFIX child seat mounting and top tether

Heated front seats

RS front bucket seats (without ISOFIX) with RS logo and backrest cover in carbon

Security

Keyless Go

Immobiliser

Anti theft alarm system

Anti theft wheel bolts

Transmission

Quattro sports differential

Wheels - Alloy

20" 5 Y spoke audi sport alloy wheels in glossy bi-colour with Pirelli P Zero Corsa sport tyres

Wheels - Spare

Tool kit

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 221

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 221

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 221

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders: 6

Cylinder Layout: V6

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 10.0:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

CC: 2894

Gears: 8 SPEED

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 86

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 84.5

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 9.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 9.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 9.7

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 29.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 29.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 29.1

General

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Generation Mark: 2

Special Edition: No

Special Order: 0

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

Badge Engine CC: 2.9

Badge Power: 470

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Based On ID: 92242

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

Service Interval Mileage: 9000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Coin Series: Performance Edition

Coin Description: TFSI Quattro

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 61.2

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.7

Top Speed: 186

Engine Power - BHP: 470

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - RPM: 5900

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 443

Engine Torque - NM: 600

Engine Torque - RPM: 2000

Engine Power - KW: 346

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Rear: 275/30 R20

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Wheel Style: 5 Y SPOKE

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Front: 275/30 R20

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 58

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1280

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 465

No. of Seats: 5

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Ascari blue

Paint - Solid

Solid - Nardo grey

Service/Warranty

Audi warranty cover includes a two year unlimited mileage warranty and up to 75,000 miles in the third and fourth years

Audi warranty cover includes two year unlimited mileage warranty and up to 90,000 miles in the third, fourth and fifth years

Trim - Part Leather

Dinamica microfibre/leather - Black with black honeycomb design stitching