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A few days ago, a spanking red Audi RS5 waited for me in our CarWale parking, longing to be reviewed. Despite sitting down to write this review a week later, my excitement post driving hasn’t really fizzled out yet. The whole aura around the Audi RS5 Coupe revolves around one single characteristic - an intoxicating drive.
Why I would buy it:
Everyday usability, stonking engine, beautiful exterior, ego warmer
Why I would avoid it:
Not as exciting as its rear-wheel drive rivals
A few days ago, a spanking red Audi RS5 waited for me in our CarWale parking, longing to be reviewed. Despite sitting down to write this review a week later, my excitement post driving hasn’t really fizzled out yet. The whole aura around the Audi RS5 Coupe revolves around one single characteristic - an intoxicating drive.
Now, if you didn’t know already, Audi launched the 2018 RS5 Coupe last month. It now rides on the MLB platform (also used in A4/A5/Q7) and even gets a new 2.9-litre V6 motor, unlike the earlier naturally-aspirated 4.2-litre V8. I know what’s going on in your head, but don’t discount it just yet. Although it makes the same power, torque is up by 171Nm!
Sure it looks sporty, but all I can say is that the ‘sleeper’ appearance hides its true demon within. It just has to be one of the best looking Audis. The exterior lines flow seamlessly from nose to tail with the prominent shoulder crease giving it immense character. I mean, look at those sexy five-arm forged alloys with an Anthracite black finish! In profile, it fondly reminded me of the 1990s Ford Thunderbird – a two-door design with a raked C-pillar that still holds a special place in my heart.
That said, the face is particularly eye-catching, with slim angry headlamps split apart by the large black honey-comb grille which also holds that distinctive RS logo. Plus, Audi has done a brilliant job with the mean-looking angular air-dams, and the purposeful splitter. Even the rear is tastefully done with the subtle boot-lip spoiler, wide-but-slim tail lamps with snazzy LED graphics, and those twin exhausts popping out from underneath.
Being a two-door Coupe, the RS5 has a charm that’s emphasised by those long rimless doors. You feel particularly special when the seat belt mechanism pops out and offers your belt with a flourish. And if this weren’t enough, you can relish the fine quality levels with premium fit and finish which the RS5 generously proposes. The dash layout is similar to the A4/A5 which gets slim air-con vents that run across the width of the dash, making it look wider than it actually is.
Apart from the thoroughly modern cabin that we have all come to expect from Audi, quality levels are flawless. Everything from the extravagant Nappa leather to the carbon fibre trim and brushed steel pedals lend a good balance of premium and sporty appeal. Plus, we just love the fabulous Virtual Cockpit (instrument cluster) which is so user friendly, and grasps your senses with all those striking graphics.
Let’s talk about the seats now. The front ones have firm cushioning with good contours, lots of lateral support, and the added benefit of the massage function. This, coupled with ample legroom and a manually adjustable thigh support makes for a thoroughly comfortable drive. Even at the rear, there’s the comfort of a 3-zone air-con with vents, along with storage options like the front seatback nets, slim side panel pockets, and a centre cubby space where the middle seat should have been.
But the biggest drawback with this car are its rear seats. We found the knee room to be tight, there’s very little thigh support, foot room is confined, and the headroom can get cramped for tall occupants. Plus, it can get claustrophobic due to the compact window area. This ultimately brings us to the boot space, which at 465-litres, is large enough to swallow four medium-sized suitcases and some soft bags at the most. And when the need comes, the rear 40:20:40 seats can fall flat by yanking at the levers situated on either side of the boot.
When it comes to features, you get a sunroof, electric front seats with massage function, cruise control, push button start, and a sweet sounding Bang & Olufsen music system. Although MMI now gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, functionality isn’t that great since it does not get a touch screen. Safety features include six airbags, electronic stabilisation control (ESC), ABS, ASR, electronic differential lock (EDL), and parking sensors with a rear view camera.
Considering I’m behind the wheel of a coupe that comes from Audi’s RS division, it’s a given to sample the power output first, right? So I obviously slotted into ‘Dynamic’ mode in manual and well, just floored it. But what happened next was simply inexplicable. The RS5 simply stunned me by rocketing onto the tarmac ahead. There’s this neck-grabbing gain-in-momentum, along with you getting shoved into the seat with some scintillating exhaust drama, and the shattering graphics from the ‘Virtual Cockpit’ instrumentation glaring into my face. I almost felt possessed!
But before I knew it, the eight-speed transmission upshifted into second, and amidst all the adrenaline-spiked fun, I didn’t back off the throttle. In a snap, we hit the 6700rpm red-line where the system held the second gear at the limit and paused. This is when I was able to gather my senses and comprehend the sheer sense of speed that I was hurled through. Sure we’ve driven fast cars, but we didn’t expect this to be such a bomb.
All this liveliness is thanks to the 450bhp 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo TFSI motor which Audi developed from the ground up and dishes out a prodigious 600Nm (more than R8’s 560Nm) of torque! With just 1770kg to haul about, the RS5 unleashes its power onto the tarmac in an uninterrupted fashion without any lag all the way up to its 6700rpm. Whenever needed, just lightly dab the accelerator and the quick-shifting eight-speed gearbox downshifts in a wink to propel you instantaneously. Audi claims to have clocked 0-100kmph in 3.9 seconds! To give you an idea, it is quicker than both the C63 AMG (4.0-litre/503bhp/700Nm/1730kg) and the BMW M3 (3.0-litre/444bhp/550Nm/1595kg).
By and large, the RS5’s performance is gingerly split up into a few more modes other than ‘Dynamic’. So, there’s Comfort, Auto and Individual as well. ‘Comfort’ mode, like you guessed, is the most relaxed among the three, with a sedate performance output. It is optimised to offer more than enough grunt for regular driving situations, and the transmission upshifts as soon as you go easy/off the throttle. Even the exhaust note isn’t quite catchy. On the other hand, ‘Auto’ smartly gauges the user’s driving style and instantly alters the engine/gearbox response, exhaust note, and steering feedback.
For those who’d like to choose their own settings, ‘Individual’ allows for manual toggling between Comfort, Dynamic and Auto, for tailor-made steering, exhaust note and engine/gearbox response. On the whole, we felt that the steering was a bit slow off the centre in ‘Comfort’ mode, which we believe fits the relaxed feel intended for this driving mode. But that said, shifting to ‘Dynamic’ gives the feeling of a car possessed – it becomes fiercely quicker and is, unquestionably, the preferred setting if you’re looking to do some high speeds and corners.
Plus, the tenacious grip offered by the 20-inch 275-section rubber, superior braking, along with Audi’s Quattro AWD which features drive force being distributed between front and rear axles (40:60 ratio), is substantial enough to boost your confidence. On the flipside, if we had to be picky (and we are!), there is a wee-bit of roll around tight bends. But the RS5 feels hunkered down. It might not have the finesse or the adrenaline-rush that a pure rear-wheel drive chassis offers, like say a BMW M3 or a Merc C63 AMG. But on our roads, you will end up going faster since one can use all of the power every time without thinking twice.
After witnessing the RS5’s power-act, we expected it to have a stiffly-set suspension. But that wasn’t the case. Of course, it is definitely on the firmer side, but the ride quality at slow speeds isn't harsh by any standards. However, when you do encounter a big bump, you will be able to hear the suspension in the background and also feel a jolt getting transmitted into the cabin. As the momentum picks up, bump absorption gets better and the RS5 remains composed at most speeds. Having said that, despite the low stance of the car, we never had to be vigilant while clearing tall obstacles since the RS5 cleared them easily.
You might think that the RS5 is really expensive at Rs 1.37 crore (on-road Mumbai). But if you check out its rivals such as the Mercedes C63 AMG and BMW’s M3, it is a whopping 27 lakh cheaper than the C63, and is 17 lakh cheaper than the M3. And what’s more, the RS5 feels more usable in many ways than the other the two. Add to this an attractive cabin with great quality/ fit and finish, front seats that are comfy, and if all this weren’t enough – the looks which will just win you over.
In fact, I wish we could have borrowed this rocket for our 2018 CarWale TrackDay, held recently.
As things stand today, the RS5 locks horns with BMW’s M3 and the Mercedes C63 AMG.
Pictures: Kapil Angane
Engine & Transmission
All cars in India either run on petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG or electric power.
Type of transmission used to transfer power from the engine to the wheels
A manually operated transmission is the most popular type, thanks to its simplicity and low cost. Varied types of automatic transmissions are also available.
Dimensions & Weight
The length of the car decides its segment. In India, cars that are less than 4 metres in length enjoy reduced excise duties.
Longer length results in more cabin space. It also adds to straight line stability.
A car's width is defined as its widest point without its mirrors.
Although more width gives you more lateral space inside the cabin, it makes the car more difficult to park in narrow spots.
The height of the car denotes the highest point of the vehicle from the ground.
Taller the car, the more headroom there is on offer inside the cabin. However, a tall boy stance also affect the car’s centre of gravity which can cause more body roll.
The space between the center of the front and rear wheels.
The longer the wheelbase, the more space there is inside the cabin.
The total weight of the vehicle with all the standard equipment and all the required fluids.
A lightweight car will always be more efficient and easier to manoeuvre whereas a heavy car would give you a sense of solidity while driving.
Capacity
The number of people that can be seated comfortably in the car, which has also been mandated by the car manufacturer.
Smaller cars usually have two rows which can seat five, but some SUVs and MPVs have three rows and can seat around 7-8 passengers.
Boot space defines how practical the car is with respect to how much luggage it can carry.
A boot with a large and wide opening is ideal for loading heavy items. Additionally, a lower loading height also makes it easy to put in luggage.
The official volume of the fuel tank of a car, usually denoted in litres.
If a car has a large fuel tank, it can cover long distances without refuelling.
Suspensions, Brakes, Steering & Tyres
Almost all cars in India use an independent front suspension which is usually the MacPherson Strut type.
The rear suspension can either be non-independent or independent.
Most of the budget cars have non-independent suspension while the more expensive ones get independent rear suspension which offers better bump absorption.
Most of the vehicles sold in India get ventilated or non-ventilated disc brakes upfront.
- The ventilated discs are more popular thanks to them providing better stopping power and it also works well in hot conditions.
In affordable cars, drums brakes are fitted at the rear as they are cost effective.
Disc setup at the rear is now getting more popular as cars are getting faster in the real world.
The official kerb-to-kerb minimum radius a car takes to complete a 180-degree turn.
Shorter the turning radius, the lesser space you need to make a tight turn or to take a U-turn.
Almost all steering systems in cars today have an assist to help park them better at low speeds - these can be hydraulic, electro-hydraulic or electric.
The wheels used on cars are either steel rims with plastic wheel cover hub or alloy wheels on higher spec models or expensive cars.
Razor cut, or diamond cut alloy wheel design are not getting more popular. Manufacturers usually offer these in top-end trim of their car models.
Important in a country with varying quality of roads, spare wheels ensure one doesn’t get stranded when one of the main tyres gets damaged.
Select premium car models feature space savers (smaller than the stock wheels) to save on boot space.
The profile/dimension of rubber tyre that fits on the front wheels.
The profile/dimension of rubber tyre that fits on the rear wheels.
Safety
Mandatory safety system for cars sold in India, a single beep is emitted after 80kmph and continuous ones after 120kmph
This function detects when the car is drifting out of its lane and cautions the driver through audio/visual alerts
The brake lights flash in a quick intermittent fashion to indicate to the following vehicles to slow down quicker than usual
These enable users to repair a puncture effortlessly, saving the time/effort involved in replacing it with the spare wheel
Avoid driving on a flat/deflated wheel too long as it can cause expensive repairs
The driver is warned of an impending crash due to stopped/slowing vehicles ahead of them
This system automatically stops the car if it senses an obstacle where the driver fails to take action
It is imperative to pay attention while driving and rely less on such systems
This feature spots oncoming vehicles at night to shift the headlight between high and low beam
The official crash test safety rating given to a car by one of the many testing agencies around the world
Blind Spot Detection systems use sensors to detect and alert the driver of any sudden movements in his/her blind spot
This feature automatically steers the car to prevent it from moving out of the lane when there is no driver input
Safer three-point seatbelts for passengers seated in the middle of the second row of seats.
Budget cars are usually fitted with more economical lap belts for the middle-occupant.
A headrest for the middle occupant of the second-row of seats.
Budget cars are usually not offered with headrests for the middle occupant of the second-row to save on costs. Headrests are instrumental in reducing whiplash injuries in case of an accident
A digital gauge that provides the live status of the air pressure in every tyre of a car.
For accurate readings, ensure that the sensors on the rim are not tampered with during any wheel/tyre repairs
Anchor points or strap systems built into car seats to keep child seats in place, especially during a crash
ISOFIX is an international standard for child seat anchor points, but not all car manufacturers follow this standard
Mandatory fitment in cars sold in India, emits loud beeps when it detects that occupants are not wearing their seatbelts.
Seat belt warning is mandatory for front-seat occupants, but it is recommended that all occupants wear seat belts.
Braking & Traction
An electronic system that prevents the tyres from locking and skidding in emergency braking situations by pulsing the brakes (quickly releasing and reapplying the brakes)
ABS is a great accident prevention technology, allowing drivers to steer while braking hard
An electronic system that redirects braking forces among the four brakes to stop the car as quickly and stably as possible
A system that increases brake pressure to help the car stop quicker
Even when emergency braking, it is observed that drivers don’t apply maximum brake pressure through the pedal, the BA system provides additional pressure to help stop the car quicker
System designed to improve car stability and control, especially when the car is accelerating.
ESP or ESC cannot increase traction but rather improve control or help regain control in slippery conditions.
A system that sends the car's power to all the four wheels at the same time
A feature that prevents the car from rolling backwards when stopped on a slope
This system cuts power to those wheels that are spinning without grip/traction
Given the option, keep traction control on all the time.
A feature that allows the user to alter the ride height of the car
Be it driving over tall obstacles or unloading heavy baggage from the boot; a helpful feature indeed
A feature that limits the car's speed without any driver input while traversing down descents
Locking differentials split power/torque evenly among both tyres on an axle.
In off-road vehicles, locking differentials allows for better traction when one of the wheels is in the air, in FWD/AWD cars allows for better corner traction and in RWD sports cars allows for drifting around corners.
Locks & Security
A security device that prevents the engine from being started unless the key is present
This feature let's one unlock all the doors remotely or with a key
This feature automatically locks the car's doors when it reaches a preset speed
A convenient feature for those who can't remember to lock the doors
Such locks are built into the rear doors to prevent rear seat occupants from opening the doors
Comfort & Convenience
Used to improve the air quality within the cabin by removing contaminants
The different types of air-conditioning systems used to cool the cabin
Maintaining the lowest temperature and first blower speed offers the best results.
This feature allows warm air to pass through the air-con vents for heating the cabin
Compact mirrors fitted to the inside of the sunvisor
The option of being able to access the boot space while sitting inside the car
These mirrors negate the glare from headlight beams of cars behind you
Since a large chunk of people love driving around in their high beam, these mirrors come in handy
A feature that aids drivers park with ease and greater precision using sensors/cameras
It comes as a boon for drivers who are not used to parking in tight spots
Sensors that are usually located on the bumpers of a car to assist/alert the driver while parking
It takes the stress out of manoeuvring in confined spaces
A system that automatically controls the speed of the car
An alert that warns one from leaving the car with the headlight and ignition switched on
When fitted, this system allows the car to be switched on without removing the key from the driver’s pocket or vicinity.
Keyless entry and start/stop (KESS) systems in some cars also include operation via a smartphone.
A function where the steering wheel moves up/down, in/out as per the driver's requirement
When both rake and reach adjustments are incorporated, it makes for a tailormade driving position
This socket provides current to a cigarette lighter style 12 volt plug
It helps charge smartphones, tablets, laptops, rechargeable batteries and other USB chargers. It also powers a compressor that inflates tyres and the humble cigarette lighter!
Mobile App Features
An app based feature that allows one to find where their car is located/parked
The requisite app will provide information regarding various functions such as speed and fuel alerts
A service that triggers actions like notifications and security alerts when a car enters/leaves a set location
A call that's made automatically by the car to the local emergency services in the event of a crash
Similar to how smartphones receive updates, a vehicle too (if equipped with connected car features) receives updates over the air via a cellular or WiFi connection
Timely installation of updates keeps the system up-to-date
The smartphone app allows one to remotely lock/unlock the car's doors from just about anywhere
This function is helpful when the key fob isn't working properly
The smartphone app sounds the horn and flashes the headlights of your car so that you can locate it
Seats & Upholstery
Rear seat adjustments make for an enlarged luggage space when there's lots of baggage to haul.
When it's time to replace, use a fabric that grips and are inherently cool to the touch
Leather not only grips your palms well, but it also offers a premium feel
The armrest located between the front passengers which helps comfort the driver's arm while driving
Cooled air from the AC system passes through the perforations on the seat to comfort the occupant
Depicts if the cabin comes with a single or dual-tone colour scheme
The various color shades used within the cabin
Some rear seats have the option to be be folded to offer more practicality
Sections of the rear seat are capable of being folded down separately
This function bumps up practicality as the boot space increases when required.
The pockets behind the front seats which help rear seat occupants store their stuff
The portion extending from or fixed to the seat that supports the head
Storage
The storage space within the armrest that's located between the front passengers
A feature where cool air from the air-conditioner is diverted to the glovebox
Doors, Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
Mirrors that are placed on the car's exterior, around the door, to aid the driver see behind the vehicle
Placing/sticking wide-angle mirrors on the ORVMs can enhance the rear view tremendously.
This is fitted where the door meets the frame to protect it from scratches and dust
Not using scuff plates may result in the door sill giving away prematurely.
When the car's windows can be raised/lowered by pressing a button/switch
In emergencies where the power window electronics have jammed, exit the vehicle by kicking out the windscreen
This feature allows a user to roll down the windows with a single press of a button
This feature reduces the time your hand is away from the steering wheel
This feature allows a user to roll up the windows with a single press of a button
This feature reduces the time your hand is away from the steering wheel
Different ways of adjusting the door mirror to suit the driver's requirement
Tremendously aids driving judgement in a variety of tight situations.
Turn indicators are fitted to the door mirrors for improved visibility
A feature that removes condensed water droplets from the rear windscreen to improve visibility
Turning air recirculation off helps gain faster results.
Although a seemingly minuscule feature, it negates the hatchback's/SUV's inherent ability to retain dirt/water on the rear windscreen.
When the system detects water droplets on the windshield, it activates the wipers to improve driver visibility
This feature can be intrusive especially while you are negotiating a tricky bend at a higher speed
These protective shields keep the sun's rays from affecting the occupants
With restrictions on darker sun films, these blinds are a huge relief on sunny days.
The various methods of opening the boot lid
A manually/electrically operated, usually translucent, screen designed to reduce the sunlight filtering into the cabin through the rear windshield to improve rear-cabin comfort and privacy
Exterior
Ensure the sunroof is closed before exiting the vehicle to prevent dirt/rain from entering the cabin
The compactness of the roof-mounted antenna prevents its damage in certain situations
Having parking sensors will save your bumper paint if it brushes by obstacles
Functional or purely aesthetic parts added to the car's body such as side skirts and roof/bonnet scoops
A strip of rubber fitted to the sides of the car's doors or bumpers to prevent dents and dings
Opt for quality strips because the cheaper ones tend to come off too soon/look shabby.
Lighting
Such headlights automatically switch on and off when they sense bright or dark driving conditions
Keeping them switched on at all times gives the user the best results
The headlamps remain lit for sometime when the car is locked/unlocked to aid user visibility in dark surroundings
These lights turn left and right based on steering inputs to illuminate the sides of the car
Inspect tail lamp bulbs at periodic intervals for optimum safety.
Lights that automatically switch on during the day for increased visibility
A type of lamp that improves driver visibility while driving through fog
The yellow/amber fog lights are preferable as they are warm to the eyes and do not reflect from the fog.
Additional lighting apart from the roof-mounted courtesy/map lamps. These are added for a sense of style and luxury rather than utility.
Incorporated into the bottom section of a car's door mirrors, they light up the ground underneath the front door when the door is unlocked
A lamp that's located around the vanity mirror behind the sun visor
Allows adjustment to the height of the headlight beams via a switch on the dashboard
Instrumentation
It indicates how much fuel is being used that very instant your car is moving
A screen situated mostly behind the steering wheel displaying information and warning lights regarding the car's various vitals
The amount of fuel consumed by the engine (kmpl) is displayed on the instrument cluster in real time
A glance will help you maintain better fuel efficiency and save money
The total distance traveled divided by the time taken to cover that distance
The higher the average speed, the quicker you were on that journey/trip
The approximate distance a car will run with the amount of fuel remaining in the tank
This alert should be taken as a final warning to head straight to the fuel pump
A warning light that pops up on the instrument cluster when the doors are not shut properly
The brightness of the instrument cluster can be adjusted via controls
It comes in handy to improve instrumentation visibility between day and night by toggling brightness.
It notifies the driver about which gear the car is being driven in and can also suggest down- or upshifting to improve efficiency
Notifies the driver about the optimum instances to shift gears
It comes in handy to derive the best fuel efficiency and engine component longevity
This function allows specific data like 'speed' to reflect/project on the windscreen in the driver's line-of-sight
An instrument that measures engine speed in revolutions-per-minute (rpm)
Ideally, the tachometer helps a driver know when to shift gears in a manual gearbox.
Entertainment, Information & Communication
An Android feature that allows car infotainment displays to mirror parts of the phone screen to ease touch operations while driving.
An Apple (iOS) feature that allows car infotainment displays to mirror parts of the iPhone screen to ease touch operations while driving.
This function bumps up the safety quotient since the use of a smartphone while driving can be hazardous
A touchscreen or display that acts as a user's interface to the various functions of the car
The ability to recognise and interpret specific movements of the occupant to perform functions without any direct contact with any of the car's switches or buttons
The music player that comes factory fitted
Number of speaker units as part of a car’s surround-sound system
The widely-used controls are placed on the steering wheel to ease driver usage
When the car's system responds to the occupant's voice to perform certain features
A system that uses satellite signals to help the driver with directions to reach a destination
Allows devices with bluetooth functionality connect wirelessly to the car's infotainment system
Using Bluetooth functionality offers a cable-free experience
The car's music player can play tracks off a portable device via an aux cable
Bluetooth can make AUX cables look ancient, but unlike the former, there's hardly any loss in sound quality
Is the music system's capability of playing broadcasted radio channels
If radio signals are weak, one can stream music
When tracks can be played from a USB/pen drive
These pads can charge equipped smartphones without using a cable
Given the option, opt for fast wireless charging.
The size of the music system fitted to a car. Traditionally 1-DIN or 2-DIN, are being replaced by touchscreen units of varying sizes.
The storage device within the car's infotainment system
The capability of the infotainment system to play DVDs
Manufacturer Warranty
The number of years the EV battery is covered under the manufacturer's warranty
More the years, the better
The number of kilometres the EV battery is covered under the manufacturer's warranty
More the kilometres, the better
The automaker can void the vehicle's warranty if the owner has fitted aftermarket components.
The automaker can void the vehicle's warranty if the owner has fitted aftermarket components.
Variants | Price | Specifications | |
---|---|---|---|
Rs. 1.11 Crore | 5 Person, 1770 kg, 465 litres, Panoramic Sunroof, 58 litres, No, No, Front & Rear, 4723 mm, 1861 mm, 1360 mm, 2766 mm, Remote, Yes (Automatic Three Zone), Front Only, 1, Reverse Camera, 0, Yes, Yes, Petrol, Automatic | Get Offers from Dealers |
4.6/5
Exterior
Comfort
Performance
Fuel Economy
Value For Money
Purchase Used | Driven forFew hundred kilometers |
Exterior
Comfort
Performance
Fuel Economy
Value For Money
Purchase Not Purchased | Driven forFew hundred kilometers |
Exterior
Comfort
Performance
Fuel Economy
Value For Money
Purchase Used | Driven forFew thousand kilometers |