The Audi RS 5 is now available as a five-door Sportback for the first time. The high-performance coupé made its world premiere at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
Naturally, the RS 5 Sportback sports a longer wheelbase and short overhangs. The wheel arches have been extended by 15 mm (0.6 in). 19-inch wheels are fitted as standard while 20-inch wheels are available as an optional extra.
The RS 5 Sportback can be customized with the Gloss Black, Carbon, and Matte Aluminium optic packages. Audi Sport offers Sonoma Green Metallic as an exclusive paint option.
Power comes from the 2.9L TFSI V6 twin-turbo, producing 331 kW (450 hp) between 5,700 – 6,700 rpm and 600 Nm of torque between 1,900 – 5,000 rpm, pretty much the same as the RS 5 Coupe.
The power is transferred to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive with center differential via an 8-speed tiptronic transmission with optimized shift times that is specially tuned to sporty driving, the company said. It distributes power asymmetrically 40:60 between the axles. When slippage occurs on an axle, most of the power immediately flows to the other axle – up to 85% to the front, and up to 70% to the rear.
With the standard RS sports suspension, the RS 5 Sportback is 7 mm (0.3 in) lower than the S5 Sportback. Alternatively, Audi Sport offers RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), ceramic brakes and RS-specific dynamic steering.
Interiors get RS sport seats with optional honeycomb pattern in fine Nappa leather, and the leather-wrapped flat-bottom RS sports steering wheel.
RS emblems can be found on the seats, steering wheel, sill panel strips and on the selector lever. Special RS information displays in the Audi virtual cockpit provide information on tire pressure, torque and G forces. In manual mode, the shift light display prompts the driver to shift up once the engine speed threshold is reached.
Highlights of the RS design package include the contrasting red stitching on the steering wheel and selector lever, the Alcantara knee pads, and the red-trimmed seat belts and floor mats featuring the RS logo.
Cargo space measures 480 litres, and folding down the rear seats increases the capacity to 1,300 litres. If you’re interested to know, the RS 5 Sportback weighs 1,840 kg.
“The Audi RS 5 Sportback is more than just an international trade fair novelty – it offers something new to our customers. Our innovative interpretation of a five-door high-performance coupé has neither predecessor models, nor a direct competitor,” said Michael-Julius Renz, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “The new Audi RS 5 Sportback will carry the RS genes out onto the road,” he added.
The Audi RS 5 Sportback will initially be available in the US and Canada from the second half of 2018.
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