Car
February 24, 2015
Test Drive | AUDI RS5
AUDI RS5
The Astonishing Drive Hidden Within Beauty and Excellence (1)
The Audi RS5 combines a 450ps engine with the latest generation of Audi's proprietary four-wheel-drive technology, the Quattro system. We bring you a test drive impression of this "high-performance premium sports coupe" that was just released on September 13th.
Text by Fumio OgawaPhotos by Masayuki Arakawa
A Graceful Body Adorning Speed
"RS" represents Audi's pinnacle sports model, featuring exclusive tuning and special enhancements to both the interior and exterior. The first model, the RS2 Avant, debuted in 1994 and was initially handled by Porsche Engineering. However, since 2000, Audi's subsidiary, "quattro GmbH," has managed all RS models. The value of an RS lies not only in its speed but also in its beauty.
Developed based on the A5, the RS5's elegant body was described by Walter de Silva, then head of design, as "the most beautiful coupe I have ever designed." It is equipped with a 450ps 4.2-liter V8 engine, a specially developed sports suspension system, and the latest generation "Quattro" all-wheel-drive system.
Exceptional Handling Through Precise Torque Control
Quattro is Audi's pride, a full-time all-wheel-drive system. The RS5 incorporates further new technologies, expanding the horizons of sports driving. One is the adoption of a crown-gear center differential. This technology controls torque distribution to the front and rear wheels. Typically, torque is distributed with 40 percent to the front and 60 percent to the rear. However, this system instantly adjusts traction distribution when more driving force is needed at either the front or rear, depending on driving conditions. It can distribute up to 70 percent of the total torque to the front wheels and up to 85 percent to the rear wheels.
The RS5's new-generation Quattro system also features another technology to enhance sports performance: the sport differential. This system variably controls torque distribution to the left and right rear wheels. When cornering, it transfers most of the rear wheel torque to the outer tire, preventing the vehicle from pushing outwards. This brings the steering characteristics closer to neutral, improving vehicle maneuverability and allowing for higher cornering speeds.
The 4.2-liter engine has undergone revisions to improve efficiency and reduce fuel consumption, alongside its performance enhancements. The 10-15 mode fuel economy is 7.8 km/l. The energy regeneration system and the S tronic transmission with its 7-speed dual-clutch system likely contribute significantly.
AUDI RS5
The Astonishing Drive Hidden Within Beauty and Excellence (2)
A Hand-Built Engine That Resides Quietly
"The Audi RS5 embodies the 'Perfect Blend of Performance and Design.' This combination of high performance and exquisite design offers a value unlike any other car. However, the engine is assembled by hand by specialized craftsmen, requiring significant production time. Therefore, only 100 units are scheduled for supply to Japan in the first year," says Audi Japan.
The actual driving feel of the Audi RS5 was akin to that of a sports car. The engine, which generates its maximum output of 450ps at 8250rpm, is astonishing. The engine, said to be hand-assembled by dedicated craftsmen, revs with unparalleled smoothness. This smoothness was deeply impressive.
The tachometer needle is positioned at 6 o'clock, directly below the zero mark, like in a racing car. When you press the accelerator pedal and experience the needle spinning as if flicked, you truly realize that the RS5 is a special machine.
0-100 km/h in Just 4.6 Seconds!
Opening the engine bay reveals the power unit, beautifully housed within red cam covers, like a "work of art." The acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds is powerful and feels like being propelled by a bullet.
The "Audi Drive Select" system, which allows for switching driving modes via buttons inside the cabin, is standard equipment. There are four modes: Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Individual, where the driver can select settings for steering, acceleration, and suspension. Comfort mode offers a relatively large steering angle and softer dampers, making it suitable for high-speed driving. It gives the impression of a coupe that can be driven comfortably with ample torque. In contrast, Dynamic mode offers a completely different character.
Audi Drive Select controls engine characteristics, shift timing, steering, sport differential, and exhaust flaps. When Dynamic is selected, the exhaust flap control changes, producing a popping, racing-car-like exhaust note.
AUDI RS5
The Astonishing Drive Hidden Within Beauty and Excellence (3)
Audi Drive Select Reveals Various Personalities
In the Dynamic mode of Audi Drive Select installed in the RS5, the acceleration is so potent that even a slight press of the accelerator pedal can cause your head to snap back. The steering angle becomes smaller, and the car changes direction sensitively with the slightest input, supported by stiffened dampers. The vehicle consistently follows the driving line through corners without deviation, providing an "on-the-rails" sensation. The high speeds achievable are evident, with some owners even taking it to the track, showcasing its immense potential.
Shift control is finely tuned to ensure optimal torque delivery for driving. When decelerating with the RS5's powerful brakes, in Dynamic mode, the system automatically blips the throttle and downshifts gears meticulously. From there, pressing the accelerator pedal allows for immediate acceleration.
A Sublime Value Born from Meticulous Craftsmanship
While Audi Drive Select is also featured in other models, such as the A7, its capabilities in the RS5—remarkable acceleration, precise deceleration control, and cornering performance—feel amplified twofold or threefold. Switching between Comfort and Dynamic modes makes it feel as though you have acquired two cars in one.
The interior is striking, with its beautiful design and highly supportive sports seats. The "RS5" logo is embossed on the backrest. The steering wheel is also custom-designed and ergonomically shaped, offering an excellent grip. The shift lever, meticulously stitched for the RS5, features a unique design that perfectly embodies the concept of fusion between design and performance, possessing an almost artisanal grandeur.
The dashboard design is somewhat plain, which is a minor disappointment, but the overall cabin is a comfortable space. The rear seats can accommodate two adults when necessary, and the spacious trunk is functional. If you desire a practical sports car, the RS5 should certainly be considered.
Audi RS5
Body: Length 4,649 x Width 1,860 x Height 1,366mm
Engine: 4.2L V8 DOHC
Max Output: 331kW [450ps] / 8,250rpm
Max Torque: 430Nm [43.8kg] / 4,000-6,000rpm
CO2 Emissions: 298g/km
Drivetrain: Full-time All-Wheel Drive
Transmission: 7-speed S tronic
Price: ¥12,040,000
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0120-598-106