First-ever Audi RS5 Sportback debuts at NYIAS 2018

Audi RS5 Sportback Front

There must be good demand for high-performance sedans as Audi has for the first time ever introduced the RS5 with a Sportback body. The go-faster five-door “coupé” makes its world debut today at the 2018 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).

Compared to the regular Sportback, Audi has given the RS5 Sportback a wider look, thanks to wheel housings that bulge out by a further 15 mm. Other RS-specific visual changes include a wide, flat singleframe grille, solid air intakes with a honeycomb structure, a front spoiler with matte aluminum quattro lettering, gloss black trim elements, an RS-specific diffuser insert, RS exhaust system with oval tailpipes and fixed spoiler lip.

Of course, what gives the RS5 its 3.9 second zero-to-100 km/h acceleration time is the 2.9 litre TFSI V6 engine under the bonnet, producing 450 hp thanks to its twin turbochargers producing up to 1.5 bars of pressure. Peak torque is 600 Nm produced over a wide band of 1,900 to 5,000 rpm.

Audi RS5 Sportback Rear

Power goes to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as a quattro permanent all-wheel drive system with a centre differential. In normal driving, torque delivery is split 40:60 front-to-rear for more dynamic handling, but the system can send up to 85% of torque to the front axle and 70% to the rear if it senses slip. There’s also an optional sport differential that provides rear torque vectoring.

The RS5’s suspension is seven millimetres lower than the S5 Sportback’s. Optional is an RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), ceramic brakes and RS-specific dynamic steering. The Audi drive select dynamic handling system is fitted as standard.

You can bring four of your friends along for the ride, as the RS5 is a five-seater; it also has a 480 litre boot that can be expanded to 1,300 litres with the 40:20:40-split rear seats folded. You can specify the interior in any colour you want, as long as it’s black – although you can get optional honeycomb quilted Nappa leather as well as an RS design package with red stitching, Alcantara knee pads and red seat belts.

Which would you choose, RS5 Sportback or Coupe? Let us know in the comments.

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • Audi?How many did DRB manage to sell last mth??

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 12
  • Shape like Civic FC

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 41 Thumb down 46
    • Richard Tido on Mar 28, 2018 at 5:34 pm

      Coz civic copied Audi’s model. But I loved this Audi very much!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 48 Thumb down 41
      • Err. Civic came out 1st. Unless u meant Honda Civic designers went to the future and copied this Audi design b4 going back and came out with Civic FC. Now that logic makes sense.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 36 Thumb down 46
        • 12yrsold on Mar 28, 2018 at 10:50 pm

          Audi has been producing this kind of design profile since their previous generations for A5 and A7…

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 33 Thumb down 7
          • Damon Lee on Mar 29, 2018 at 9:09 am

            Their previous design didn’t have strong lines from the fender to the rear, much like the current Civic has. John is right, this car uncannily looks like it.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 20
          • Johnny on Mar 29, 2018 at 1:38 pm

            It’s Civic copies the Audi

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
          • Thats a lie, Johnny boy.
            Previous generation Audis were very bland, their side profiles were almost flat like their much cheaper twin VW. Its only this generation that’s looking more aggressive but that too is copied from Civic FC side profile.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 6
          • It’s indeed civic copy Audi.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
          • James on Mar 31, 2018 at 1:51 am

            Civic copy Audi. Jap liked to copy others

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
        • Rajoo Selvam on Mar 29, 2018 at 1:41 pm

          All the car enthusiast would know that Audi came out with such design first and civic just copy it

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • 12yrsold on Mar 29, 2018 at 10:49 am

      U also wish the Civic have the same POWER(450 hp) like this RS5 Right !!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • hondafans on Mar 30, 2018 at 7:22 am

      It’s Audi came out first with such profile in their A5 and A7

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • Rashid on Mar 30, 2018 at 2:52 pm

      It’s very very obvious Honda copy Audi

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • passion on Mar 28, 2018 at 4:20 pm

    damn bloody gorgeous!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 0
  • heybadigol (Member) on Mar 28, 2018 at 6:42 pm

    Absolutely beautiful car. I would take the RS5 Sportback please. Not in that green though. But in nardo grey.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • James on Mar 31, 2018 at 1:53 am

    Really so nice!!! No wonder Civic copies the earlier generation Audi A5

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Kelvin Kong on Jan 10, 2019 at 11:42 am

    Proton had ‘aeroback’ or fastback 5 door sedan version since 1980s Saga and 1990s Wira, so Proton did it first.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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