Photographs: Courtesy, MotorBeam
The Audi RS5 brings performance and appeal together in an attractive package, writes Faisal Ali Khan of MotorBeam.com
Performance cars are seeing a good increase in demand in our country. From a time when people only preferred efficient cars, the times have changed and the wealthy few want vehicles which not only look cool but drive beautifully as well.
Audi being very performance centric has been launching many performance oriented cars in the Indian market, including the S4, S6 and the most recent to join was the RS5, a performance coupe. Does this hot blue car drive as good as it looks?
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Audi RS5: At Rs 1.23 crore, it's still priceless
The Audi RS5 is based on the A5 coupe and although the latter doesn't look fast while standing still, the RS version definitely makes its sporty intentions known.
The RS5 looks powerful even when not in motion, the styling is super sporty with that Sepang Blue paint job really being eye candy.
The car gets the typical Audi LEDs in its headlights while a singe piece front grille gets honeycomb detailing.
The RS5 runs on massive deep dish 5-spoke alloy wheels which have dual tone finishing, they are easily the best design highlight from the side.
They also clearly reveal the massive disc brakes where the calliper has RS5 mentioned on them.
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Audi RS5: At Rs 1.23 crore, it's still priceless
Just like the exteriors, the interiors too are sporty with the best materials used like brushed aluminium.
The vehicle gets an all black cabin and RS5 lettering is seen on the steering wheel and instrument cluster.
This 2-door coupe has features aplenty including a fantastic sounding Bang & Olufsen sound system. You also get a 6 CD changer, navigation, 3-zone climate control and the likes.
The front seats are extremely supportive with excellent back support but the rear seats lack room and are best suited for small children or keeping luggage. The boot is big at 445 litres and can swallow in quite a lot.
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Audi RS5: At Rs 1.23 crore, it's still priceless
The big party piece of the Audi RS5 is its engine. The world is going towards turbocharging and the 4.2-litre FSI in this coupe is among the last of the naturally aspirated powertrains.
This V8 engine belts out 450 HP of peak power at 8250 RPM and 430 Nm of peak torque between 4000 to 6000 RPM. Besides the massive output, it really is the way this engine redlines all the way to 8300 RPM which is such a joy.
The high revving mill starts up with a throaty roar and while the cabin is well insulated, it really is the sound it makes outside the car which is such a pleasure to the aural senses.
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Audi RS5: At Rs 1.23 crore, it's still priceless
The Audi RS5 has good low-end but the mid-range is strong while the top-end is the best here, the car screams to the redline with eagerness to rush to the top-end every time you floor the pedal.
Due to the high revving engine, the powerband is wide and the motor is super smooth all the time, creamy if you will. 0-100 km/hr comes up in a claimed 4.5 seconds while 0-200 km/hr is done in just 14.2 seconds.
Top speed is limited to 250 km/hr but can be increased to 280 km/hr.
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Audi RS5: At Rs 1.23 crore, it's still priceless
To best extract brutal acceleration, one can use the launch control, where the revs are kept to around 2200 RPM and you leave the brake pedal with your left foot, the RS5 taking off so smoothly, no judder or wheel-spin.
That's thanks to the quattro all-wheel drive system which channels power to all wheels efficiently. Mated to the engine is a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox which offers super slick shifts.
There are also steering mounted paddles and you can slot the car into manual mode where upshifts don't happen till you do them yourself. A mileage of 5-6 km/l is offered by this Audi.
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Audi RS5: At Rs 1.23 crore, it's still priceless
The Audi RS5 handles very well too. There is the Audi Drive Select and you can choose between Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual.
The system alters the suspension, gearbox, engine and steering. In Comfort, the steering is light, the gearshift is laid back and smooth while the suspension is compliant.
However in Dynamic mode, the ride quality can get too stiff but the motor upshifts super quick and the steering weighs up brilliantly at speed.
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Audi RS5: At Rs 1.23 crore, it's still priceless
Stability is impressive even at high speeds, an active spoiler deploys at 120 km/hr to generate additional downforce while it goes back in at 80 km/hr, there is also a button on the centre console to manually deploy it.
The RS5 sits low and one has to be very careful over speed-breakers where it has a tendency to scrape its underbelly.
The braking performance is fantastic and the massive discs work well with a plethora of electronic systems to stop the car dead in its line, every time.
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Audi RS5: At Rs 1.23 crore, it's still priceless
The Audi RS5 is an impressive performance car. Sure it doesn't come cheap at an on-road price of Rs 1.23 crore in Mumbai but the amount of stares it gets you, is priceless.
Factor in the sporty yet luxurious cabin, supercar-like performance, melodious sound from the engine, sharp handling, supreme stability and a loaded cabin and you know why this Audi is such a desirable package for those who want to make a style statement yet don't want to slowdown.
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