2020 Audi RS5 Coupe, Sportback facelift debut - 2.9L V6 TFSI, 450 hp & 600 Nm; minor upgrades overall

After being spotted by spy photographers on a number of occasions, Audi has finally taken the veils off the facelifted RS5 Coupe and Sportback. The range-topping pair joins their 2020 A5 and S5 counterparts which were introduced earlier in September, and so the line-up is now complete.

Okay, right off the bat, both cars are powered by the same 2.9 litre twin-turbocharged V6 TFSI engine that’s carried over from before. Outputs remain unchanged – the mill produces 450 PS and 600 Nm of torque, which is good for a century sprint time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 280 km/h.

Power is routed to all four wheels (quattro permanent all-wheel drive) via an RS-specific eight-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox that’s tuned to offer quicker and more aggressive shifts. Speaking of which, the driver can now manually swap cogs via a pair of larger aluminium paddle shifters. As before, a rear axle sport differential can be specified, which actively distributes torque between the wheels.

Both RS5 Coupe and Sportback get RS sport suspension as standard, while the Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) with hydraulic roll and pitch stabilisation is available as an option. The latter is more sophisticated, using steel springs and three-stage adjustable dampers that are interconnected via diagonal oil lines and a central valve. The vales regulate oil flow in the dampers, which in turn improve the car’s handling characteristics.

Of course, the Audi drive select is standard, and it now offers two new modes – RS1 and RS2. Think of them as customisable drive mode presets and you won’t be wrong. Drivers get to choose how the behaviour of the engine, transmission, damping, steering, dynamic steering, sport differential, and even engine sound.

Design-wise, the exterior is clearly based on the recent A5/S5 facelift, featuring new LED headlights with revised LED DRL graphics (matrix LED with laser lights are optional and specific to the RS5 only), a gaping but shorter Singleframe radiator grille, as well as large contoured air inlets with a unique pentagonal design.

The side sills and rear diffuser have been redesigned, the latter now featuring a honeycomb mesh as opposed to the cleaner dual-fin type from before. Other additions include a carbon-fibre roof which reduces the car’s weight by four kilograms, and the RS5s ride on 19-inch wheels as standard.

Exterior options start from the new 20-inch set of wheels that are available in three design, one of which is finished in gloss black and another in matte bronze (as seen in the RS5 Sportback here). Factory-fitted calipers are either finished in black or red, but Audi Sport offers grey or blue as options, as well as carbon ceramic discs for the front axle. There are gloss black, matte aluminium, and carbon styling packages which give the car a more individualised look, too.

Inside, the most obvious upgrade is the new freestanding 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen display with acoustic feedback, and it’s ever so slightly tilted towards the driver. It can be upgraded to the MMI navigation plus, which features the automaker’s latest MIB 3 operating system, and includes a specific RS monitor with additional driving data such as longitudinal and lateral acceleration, quattro sport differential, and even tyre temperature readings.

For the driver, there is a new 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit, but you’ll want the Audi virtual cockpit plus with multiple displays and RS-specific performance graphics. Here, it features a rotational speed scale that includes a shift light display, and when RS Mode is engaged, more data such as g-acceleration values is fed to the driver. The optional head-up display also comes with RS graphics.

Elsewhere, it’s pretty much the same cabin as before. The air vent and dashboard design are lifted over, but just like the A4 facelift, the centre console design is new, and the rotary dial with buttons from before have been replaced with a tiny compartment in front of the gear lever.

The RS sport seats are wrapped in leather-Alcantara mix as standard, but fine Nappa leather can be optioned, too. For even more pizzazz, the RS design package with red or grey accents can be had on request. As for driver assist systems, it’s basically identical to the regular A5 and S5, so over 30 systems are fitted as standard. Prices start from 83,500 euros (RM386k).