The Audi RS5 Sportback Is The Closest Thing You Can Get To An RS4 Saloon
Want something slightly more practical than an RS5, but not as big as an RS4? Audi has just the weapons grade niche-filler for you: the new RS5 Sportback.
It’s the first time Audi’s five-door A5 Sportback has been given the RS treatment (the previous-gen version was only given an S5 variant), and the results are rather aesthetically pleasing, aren’t they?
It follows the same recipe of the RS5 coupe and the RS4 Avant, meaning there’s a longitudinally-mounted 2.9-litre V6 living up front powering all four wheels. The Porsche co-developed unit develops 444bhp and 443lb ft of torque, making 0-60mph possible in 3.9 seconds. That’s a couple of tenths down on the coupe, as the Sportback is predictably a little fatter - it tips the scales at 1840kg. The top speed meanwhile is limited to 174mph.
The V6’s torque is split 60:40 favouring the rear wheels via a Torsen centre differential. Depending on traction conditions, it can send anything up to 85 per cent of torque to the front, and 70 per cent to the rear.
The RS5 Sportback’s rear doors and hatchback boot opening aren’t the only things helping practicality - there’s actually quite a lot of luggage space to play with. The 480 litre boot is only 25 litres off the capacity of the RS4, and if you fold down the rear seats, you get a whole 1300 litres to fill.
So it’s fast, practical, nicely makes up for the lack of RS4 saloon in the range, and unlike the RS4 Avant, it will be sold in North America, with orders opening in the US and Canada during the second half of 2018. Expect UK sales to kick off slightly later, and pricing to be similar to the coupe.
Happy with just having an ogle in the metal? The car is making its debut at the New York Auto Show this week.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
The exterior is somewhat bland, and while I think the green color is perfect for the two door version, I really don’t think it suits the Sportback.
But damn - nobody does interiors like Audi. They are just magnificent, in a league of their own. If you compare this A5 to an M4 they’re worlds apart.
Worlds apart? Do explain. Stitching is nicer on Audi seat, granted. Other than that, where is the world of difference?
http://www.caricos.com/cars/b/bmw/2015_bmw_m4_coupe_uk/images/33.html
Angri Audi Noises
A little fatter? 1840kg….
I’d take the RS3 instead - and have the glorious 5cyl sound to boot
it’s not meant to be a track car by any means and it should be able to handle itself well in the twisties so who really cares
same weight as a c63 coupe but no one says anything
Personally I prefer the sportback, the design of the rear windows looks better imo. But let’s try something!
Upvote for the sportback, downvote for the coupe and we’ll see which one gets more votes!
Adam Karim looking to upgrade your parents’ S5? ;))
Maybe at some point in the future 🤷
YES SELL IT AMERICA!!!!
Am I the only one still crying over the death of the v8?
Nope
Why have the V8 while you can achieve better performance from V6? I’d actually prefer the V6 by a far margin. With the way Audi mount its engine beyond the front axle, having a V6 instead of a V8 would definitely alleviate the understeer situation on many Audi RS vehicles.
grey Audi, Scarlett red Vossens
As a S5 sportback owner, i feelsbadman. The want is super real
Looks like Jess has upgraded…