The Audi R-Line is no joke… there are some serious cars in that range which produce some serious power, and they all have a phenomenal, aggressive appearance too. There’s the RS3, which is arguably the king of hot hatchbacks, the RS4 which is a spicy family car, and then there’s the RS5, which we absolutely love! For that reason, we decided to review the 2018 model of the RS5 and see what it has to offer.
Firstly, it excited us to learn that it’s undergone a noticeable engine change. Previous versions were equipped with a 4.2-liter V8 that churned out 8,250 RPM, and only activated it’s 317 lb-ft of torque after 4,000 RPM. On the contrary, the new RS5 now has a bi-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6, which still generates the same 444 BHP, but benefits from 443 lb-ft of torque after just 1,900 RPM.
Essentially, this year’s model will boast of more overall power and pull, from an engine which is 66 pounds lighter. If you’re wondering how quick it is off the mark, then it will hit 60 MPH in a mere 3.7 seconds, which is 0.8 seconds quicker than its predecessor. In terms of maximum output, the car can reach 174 MPH, although on the standard variant there’s a limit of 155 MPH.
Naturally, now we’ve covered what’s underneath the hood, you’ll want to know what pushes it through its paces, right?
Well, it has an 8-speed automatic gearbox, which can be shifted manually if that’s what you desire with the shift paddles. Moreover, with an Audi R-Line car, you know you’re going to get tons of beautiful noise following right behind you as you fly along the road; that’s partly why they offer so much fun. But, if you add the Dynamic package, you’ll be blessed with even more fun…
With the Dynamic package, you’ll receive Dynamic Ride Control, which offers flexibility and control with the suspension. That will coincide with the lovely Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 tyres and the Quattro all-wheel drive to supply amazing traction while still allowing you to feel alive as you blitz along at 70 MPH. But, you’ll also receive an RS exhaust with butterfly valves, which open up and allow more noise to ring out.
Just to delve a bit deeper into the sound for a second – if you compare the RS5 to some of its competitors, you won’t be blown away by the noise, even in the loudest mode. If you’re hoping for loud pops and bangs to scream out, then you’ll sadly be slightly disappointed. Now, if you place the car into Comfort mode, you can stiffen up the suspension, reduce the noise and enhance the luxury driving experience.
Furthermore, we also found that the new RS5 has improved its fuel economy, as a result of changing from a grumbling V8 to an efficient V6. So, with the previous model you would have got 16 MPG in the city and 24 MPH on a highway. Whereas, with the new one you’ll get 18/26 MPG, with a combined total of 21 MPG. That makes this vehicle very versatile; not only could you utilize it as a daily, you could also utilize it as a weekend toy to put your foot down in.
Now for all the all-important question – how much is it going to set you back?
The base price is $69,900, but, with all the additional extras available, you’ll most likely end up spending more. For instance, the interior is already beautifully designed with an abundance of leather and carbon fiber, but if you want an MMI infotainment system for navigation and other cool stuff, you’ll be asked for another $2,600. Plus, the Dynamic package which we touched on earlier is $3,350.
All in all, you can’t really go wrong with the new RS5; it’s lightning-quick, grips the road exceptionally and really does have that WOW factor. The only negative is that for the more adventurous, it can seem a little tame at times. How? The lack of ferocious snaps from the exhaust and the lack of thrill when manual shifting are the main elements. Ultimately, though, it’s a car you’d love to own!