2010 Audi RS 5 now available in Australia

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By Brett Davis | September 29th, 2010

Audi has just announced the release of the Audi RS 5 to the Australian market. The grand touring coupe, previously only available in S5 form as an athletic option, is now available in a higher-performance, higher-revving 4.2-litre V8 package which outputs 331kW.

The Audi S5, also known as the business suit, was never really all that exciting. Sure, it has a nice 4.2-litre V8 along with handsome looks, and with the security of all-wheel drive, it’s hard to fault. But that was the problem, not even the styling could be ridiculed, because there isn’t really anything that stands out. Now though, Audi is offering that same sort of sure-footed philosophy but garnished with a lot of very chilli seasoning.

With aggressive front and rear bumper bars, chunky 19 inch wheels, optional RS bucket seats and an Audi R8-like supercar engine, the RS 5 is more than a business suit, it’s a rip-snorting grand tourer ready to take on the likes of BMW’s M3, Porsche’s 911 Carrera 4 and the Jaguar XKR.

The heart of the RS 5 is it’s engine. Specifications and important numbers include; 4.2-litre FSI V8 engine, 331kW of power at 8250rpm, 430Nm of torque which is available from 4000rpm to 6000rpm. This equals to 0-100km/h acceleration that comes up, with the help of Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system, in just 4.6 seconds. – bettering the BMW M3′s 4.9 seconds, Porsche 911 Carrera 4′s 5.0 seconds and the Jaguar XKR’s 4.8 seconds.

The Audi RS 5 also comes with an automatic rear spoiler which rises once 120km/h is reached and retracts again when the vehicle drops below 80km/h… so we’ll never get to see the spoiler raised on any vehicles in Australia then, unless on a private track? Luckily, the spoiler can also be manually operated via a switch inside the cabin.

Inside comfort and features include a comprehensive media interface incorporating satellite navigation as standard, seating for four all comforted by leather upholstery. There’s also a smattering of carbon fibre making up parts of the trim, three different driving modes selectable via buttons within arm’s reach of the driver – comfort, automatic and dynamic – which alters characteristics of the seven-speed DSG automatic transmission, exhaust and suspension settings, and the usual climate control air-conditioning offerings typical of a high-end sports car.

For $175,300, you’d be hard pressed to find a more complete package really, especially in this price range. The only cars that come close in terms of platform and specifications are the BMW M3 coupe; 4.0-litre 309kW/400Nm V8, rear-wheel drive – $162,900. The Porsche 911 Carrera 4; 3.6-litre 254kW/390Nm flat six, all-wheel drive – $238,800. And the Jaguar XKR; 5.0-litre supercharged 375kW/625Nm V8, rear-wheel drive – from $255,000.

Orders can be made right now with deliveries taking place in October.

ABMPSV

What a car. I like in red. Power, torque and acceleration figure very impressive.
Devil666

no mention of comparable C63? much more relevant than the XKR…….

ABMPSV

Here is RS5 against C63. At Hockenheim Short circuit C63 1:15.2, RS5 1:15.3. 0 to 100km/h RS5 is 0.1 sec quicker but to 200km/h 1.6 sec slower. Overall for track performance RS5 better but straight line speed C63 is the winner. Source: Fastestlaps

Peter

Yes, I quite like this (I’d make an exception and have it in white, thanks) but it is far more comparable to the M3 than the XKR. The XKR (which is one of my fave cars) really has no back seat to speak of, the back of the front seats nearly hit the front of the back, and even for small kids they would be torture, like a 911. If you were going to compare it to the jag, it’d be closer to the XFR, which has the advantage (to me) of 4 doors and 5 seats, and is closer to $220K, or even the XF 5 litre which is not sub 5 sec but pretty close to that at about 5.1, but around the same price or under, but it wouldnt handle like the audi coz of all that extra fat. I wouldnt compare it to the c63 myself (not that I think it is silly) only because I am only thinking of good looking cars, and really the c63 as good as it might be, is not so pretty
nugsdad

I would like to say a couple of things Firstly how is a 4.6 second 0-100km/h just shy of Jaguars 4.8 ?
I’d say looks good but as good as they are another Audi cookie cutter interior.
My other comment having just sold an M3 is that these cars are not suitable for Australia. They have power you can’t use, have suspension great for race tracks not suburban streets and are as far from relaxing to drive as imaginable. Reviews always make these type of cars seem like the pinnacle of automotive development, and in many ways they are, but if you can’t afford one I would actually say that day to day you are probably better off without it. I know not the sort of comment that gets posted on these types of sites, but believe me it is the reality.

nemo

Too true. What did you trade the M3 for then?

nugsdad

GOT A 3 YEAR OLD CLS500

Shak

More and more of this type of car are overcoming the performance/comfort barrier between suspension tunes, and are pulling it off quiet well. When i test drove an M3 for some fun last month, i found that it had a near perfect balance between comfort and performance. While i wasnt carving up mountain roads, it did not roll and held true through every bend, sweep and corner. While i cant talk for the RS5, i reckon it would be very similar.

skamad

Intresting becasue I had a current model M3 for 18 months and whilst I only did 17000kms in it it had to go becasue of the crashy ride, it was a back breaker on anything other then freeway, but I spose its your interpretation. I still think you can have a tourer or a sports car there is no in between.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1435885244 Yani Hendriawan

what about the isf?
Jimmy

I’m probably in the minority but I don’t like how ostentatious the exterior design of RS5 is. I know that it is meant to be purposeful and aggressive in its looks, but to me it looks borderline cheap. I think it is the wheels and the diffusers that do the most the damage. It looks more like a HSV than an RS. I much prefer the RS4′s subtler design – this is too overt.
Shak

Love the RS5, but i hate to think that the fact that we havent seen any RS4 mules or the fact that its been a while since the A4 was released are pointing to the fact that the RS5 has taken over from the sedan sibling.

nickdl

Don’t give up hope yet, remember the BMW M3 Coupe was released well before the sedan.

there we go

they are coiming out with an rs4 the rs models are last the b8 series and then they come out with the b9

Bob

Regardless of brands, what about the r35 gtr?
The Realist

“BMW M3′s 4.9 seconds”

E92 BMW M3 with DCT is 0-100 in 4.6 seconds. Took Audi 3 years to come on par.

I’ve driven my colleague’s S5 – beautiful car, but the steering is terribly light – nothing like an M3. Wonder if the RS5 is similar in that respect…
F1MotoGP

Very nice car! Nice V8 engine only 4.2 liter but 331kW. I notice that the compression is quite high 12.3 must be carefully that you do not put rubbish petrol in. Service is every 12 months or 15,000km.