The Audi RS5 Coupé is the latest Audi to earn the evocative RS badge. Built by quattro GmBH, away from the main production line in a special facility in Neckarsulm, the RS 5 promises to be a worthy addition to the RS badge.
Presented at this year’s Geneva Auto Show, the Audi RS5 Coupé is already available to order with the first deliveries scheduled for October 2010 and prices starting at £57,480.
High-revving V8, S tronic twin-clutch transmission, upgraded quattro system and impressive specification grace latest RS flagship
Audi UK has today confirmed an OTR price of £57,480 for the UK-bound RS 5 high performance coupe. Featuring a high-revving V8 FSI petrol engine delivering 450PS through rapid-fire S tronic twin-clutch transmission, and anchored by the very latest Audi driver aids, including a new iteration of the quattro system, the new RS flagship will open for order in the spring. First customer deliveries are scheduled for October.
The V10 FSI engine from the R8 5.2 FSI quattro provides the technological basis for the new hand-built, 4.2-litre V8 FSI engine that delivers its 450PS peak output at a heady 8,250rpm in the RS 5, along with a torque maximum of 430Nm at between 4,000 and 6,000rpm. Helped by fast-paced shifts from a specially reinforced version of the seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission, which makes its RS debut here, it enables the Audi RS 5 to power to 62mph in 4.6 seconds and continue to an electronically governed 155mph top speed. Its impressive efficiency, bolstered by on-demand oil pump operation and energy recovery during coasting and braking, also makes up to 26.2mpg possible.
New quattro technology
This remarkable engine and transmission pairing has the very best habitat in which to demonstrate its capabilities thanks to the integration of the Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) adaptive damping system adopted from the RS 6, the sport differential which already brings acute adjustability to the S4 and S5 and the latest generation quattro all-wheel-drive system with crown gear differential.
The self-locking crown-gear centre differential can widely vary the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles. If necessary, up to 70 per cent can flow to the front or as much as 85 percent towards the rear. The 40:60 ratio of the standard rear-biased configuration ensures highly responsive handling.
Audi drive select
The Audi drive select vehicle dynamics control system is a standard feature of the new RS 5. It allows the driver to switch between three modes of operation – comfort, auto, and dynamic – to adjust the steering weighting, the shift points for the seven-speed S tronic, the sport differential, Dynamic Ride Control, the engine and the exhaust system. And if the car is equipped with the optional MMI navigation system, a fourth mode allows the driver to customize their own profile. Audi drive select also controls the exhaust system’s two throttle valves and the sound flaps, enabling the exhaust note to be varied at will.
With its RS-specific spring, damper and anti-roll bar settings, the RS 5 chassis sits 20 millimetres lower than that of the Audi A5 on 19-inch five-spoke Aero design alloy wheels fitted with 265/35 tyres. Its purposeful body is also embellished by adaptive swivelling xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights, a speed-activated rear spoiler and the now trademark oval RS tailpipes.
Inside, black Silk Nappa leather upholstery is complemented by carbon fibre and aluminium elements and additional oil temperature and lap timer gauges for circuit use. Electrically adjustable super sports seats with pronounced side sections and integrated head restraints are standard, as of course are comforts such as a 180-watt CD sound system, deluxe three-zone climate control, the Audi Parking System Plus with front and rear sensors, tyre pressure monitoring and an RS multi-function steering wheel with aluminium-look gearshift paddles.
Key options will include 20-inch alloy wheels, a sports exhaust system, HDD-based satellite navigation, adaptive cruise control and a 505-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Last week Audi revealed the first official details for the Audi RS5 prior to its launch this Thursday at the 80th Geneva Motor Show. As usual Audi GmbH equipped the RS5 with all the latest technological advancements from Audi including the new Quattro four-wheel-drive, the latest generation version of the Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) system and an even more precise Audi Drive Select.
Today we will explain in detail all the innovations that will make the Audi RS5 one of the most desirable coupes in the premium sector.
Audi Quattro with crown-gear differential
In 1980 Audi captivated the Geneva Motor Show attendants with the introduction of the Quattro four-wheel-driving technology and now thirty years later Audi will launch the new Quattro technology with a innovative centre differential known as crown-gear differential.
The self-locking crown-gear centre differential is compact and lightweight, and attains a high efficiency ratio. Thanks to its package of plates, it can widely vary the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles. If necessary, up to 70 per cent can flow to the front or as much as 85 percent towards the rear. The 40:60 ratio of the standard rear-biased configuration ensures highly responsive handling.
This new differential operates in conjunction with electronic torque vectoring, which influences all four wheels. If one of the inside wheels in a turn becomes imbalanced while the vehicle is at its operational limits, then the system slightly decelerates the wheel to prevent wheel spin. This results in exceptional traction on the one hand while generating a yaw moment which aids cornering.
The rear axle also features an already much praised new Audi driver aid – the sport differential – which actively distributes torque between the rear wheels in order to further boost stability and grip at the vehicle’s limits of handling.
New Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) & ESP’ Sport Mode
The latest generation version of the Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) system as used by the RS 6 also contributes to the exceptional handling capabilities exhibited by the RS 5. DRC connects shock absorbers on each side of the car diagonally to their counterparts by way of a central valve, which directs a flow of oil to provide additional damping force whenever a shock absorber is compressed, making for impressive gains in handling precision and stability. Via the Audi drive select system, the driver will be able to choose from three damper settings – comfort, dynamic and sport – according to preference and conditions.
With its RS-specific spring, damper and anti-roll bar settings, the RS 5 chassis sits 20 millimetres lower than that of the Audi A5 on 19-inch alloy wheels fitted with 265/35 tyres. These are executed in an exclusive 5-arm structure design. 20-inch wheels with 275/30 tyres are available at extra cost.
The brake system employs powerful internally ventilated discs, which measure 365 millimetres in diameter at the front axle. In order to maximize the dissipation of heat, the steel friction rings are perforated and connected by pins to the aluminium brake discs. The high-gloss black brake calipers bearing RS logos are made of aluminium, and the front units are fitted with eight pistons each. Ceramic carbon-fibre brake discs measuring 380 millimetres in diameter can also be specified as an optional extra. They are extremely lightweight, strong, and durable. The electronic stabilization program (ESP) incorporates a sport mode and can be switched off entirely.
Even more acutely controllable: Audi drive select
The Audi drive select vehicle dynamics control system is a standard feature of the new RS 5. It allows the driver to switch between three modes of operation – comfort, auto, and dynamic – to adjust the steering weighting, the shift points for the seven-speed S tronic, the sport differential, Dynamic Ride Control, the engine and the exhaust system. And if the car is equipped with the optional MMI navigation system, a fourth mode allows the driver to customize their own profile.
For maximum enjoyment of the engine, Audi drive select controls the exhaust system’s two throttle valves and the sound flaps; when they open, the rich sound becomes even more resonant. An optional Sport exhaust system offering an even more addictively bass-heavy V8 soundtrack is available at extra cost.
For even greater control over the steering, a dynamic steering option is also available at extra cost as a component of Audi drive select. The system adjusts the steering ratio to a vehicle’s speed – directly for manoeuvring at low speeds and indirectly for travelling at motorway speeds. At the vehicle’s cornering limits, it automatically ensures smooth handling via minor corrective actions.
The remarkable abilities which all these technologies convey on the RS 5 are highlighted subtly by its body, without tainting the purity of its classically beautiful coupe lines. The single-frame grille bears a shiny charcoal-grey rhombus-pattern grid and is flanked by xenon plus headlights with LED strip daytime running lights, below which are oversized air inlets. The newly designed bumper tapers downward into a splitter.
The flared wings with their crisp horizontal upper edges are reminiscent of the pioneering Audi quattro, and the side sills bear angular caps. The trim strips on the single-frame grille and near the side windows as well as the door mirror covers feature the distinctive matt aluminium RS look.
The tail end is dominated by two oval exhaust pipes integrated within the bumper. A large diffuser protrudes prominently upwards. The spoiler in the tailgate automatically extends at a speed of 75mph and retracts at 50mph.
The extensively clad underbody of the Audi RS 5 integrates air vents for the seven-speed S tronic and the front brakes. At motorway speeds, the aerodynamic characteristics of the RS 5 generate downforce to further enhance stability.
Audi’s four-wheel-drive-system Quattro is celebrating 30 years of existence. Back in the 80’s Audi revolutionised road and rally driving with the Audi Quattro (Ur-Quattro) and 30 years the Ingolstadt company is about to do it again with the Audi RS5 that will incorporate the newly developed centre differential for Quattro drivetrain, with the acclaimed Quattro sport differential on the rear axle, the latest in four-wheel-driving.
Following the tradition of a lineage dating back over 15 years ago to the illustrious Audi RS2, the Audi RS5 was developed by Audi high performance engineering and styling subsidiary Quattro GmbH. The RS badge on an Audi means ultra-high performance and sportiveness combined to top notch styling features.
With its hand-built, high-revving 4.2-litre V8 FSI engine the Audi RS5 has a maximum output of 450PS when the engine hits the 8,250rpm mark. A torque maximum of 430Nm is available between 4,000 and 6,000rpm, helping to power the new, Audi RS 5 to 62mph in 4.6 seconds and to an electronically governed 155mph top speed.
For Audi performance is nothing without efficiency that is why the RS5 engine has been fine tuned to maximise performance and also economy. Drivetrain friction was minimized, the oil pump operates on demand, the dual-branch intake and exhaust system were tuned to allow the engine to breath freely, four adjustable camshafts and tumble flaps in the intake manifold facilitate mixture formation and Audi’s energy recovery system assure a fuel efficiency of up to 26.2mpg.
Making its RS debut, the high-tech seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission will be a standard specification for the RS5. This specially reinforced S tronic transmission consists of two clutches and two subsidiary transmissions. Both subsidiary transmissions are continuously active, but only one is powered at any given time by the engine. Gears are alternately shifted by the two clutches – at lightning speed, smoothly, and almost imperceptibly.
Presenting the brand new Quattro technology with crown-gear differential
If it has an RS badge it sure has Quattro four-wheel-drive. Like all Audis in the RS lineage the Audi RS5 will be equipped with Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive but not any Quattro. This latest generation model has evolved further through a next generation centre differential known as a crown-gear differential; expect to hear more about that on future posts.
With such a wide array of innovations it’s hard to mention them all in only one post. So if you want to know more about the Audi RS5 don’t miss our next post about it on Monday when we will explain in detail the new Quattro technology as well as the new Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) and the more acutely controllable Audi drive select.
Before we end this post we want to know. Will the Audi RS5 be the most successful vehicle in the RS lineage?
Audi officially confirmed that the Audi RS5 will be released at the Geneva Motor Show this week but last week and Australian motoring blog leaked images from the forthcoming Audi RS5 sales brochure and we managed to get our hands on some of those images.
In total there are 28 images but little written information, there are not shots of the engine bay so we can only speculate on what powerplants will propel the RS5. Experts believe that power shall fall between the 420 hp of the Audi RS4 and 571 hp of the current Audi RS6. A V10 engine has been ruled out because it wouldn’t fit into the A5’s engine bay.
Speculations are that maybe we could see a turbo or supercharged version of the 4.2 litre V8 used in the Audi S5 or a severely amplified version of the 3.0 litre TFSI V6 from the Audi S4.
Either way the Audi RS5 is set to be one of the stars of this year’s Geneva Auto Show and we can’t wait to see it on the roads.
