Sport utility vehicles may be all the rage nowadays, but this doesn’t stop Audi from producing a truly special car — “special” in the sense that it’s not an otherwise common sedan or even a sports car (like Audi’s own TT), but a coupé. Yes, there are a few select individuals who want the unique and sporty style of a two-door, but don’t want to live with the space compromises of a low-slung sports car — but still want the extreme performance heretofore reserved for ultimate supercars.
The Audi RS 5 Coupé is precisely such a car. And Audi Philippines unveiled last week the all-new second-generation of this fabulous coupé in an exclusive media launch held at the Butamaru Ramen x Izakaya restaurant inside the Ortigas Home Depot in Pasig City.
Present in the event was Audi Sport GmBH certified driving instructor, Christoph Klapper, who introduced the capabilities of the car to everyone and fielded queries from the guests regarding Audi Sport’s new model.
“The Audi RS 5 Coupé is a car that exudes character — from its progressive design to its sporty interior. Not only does the new RS 5 defines perfection in design, comfort and safety, it also delivers sophisticated performance one can only expect from Audi,” said Audi Philippines head Benedicto Coyiuto.
The Audi RS 5 Coupé is the first Audi Sport model to feature the current RS design. The designers drew inspiration for the car from the distinctive motorsport details of the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO. Massive air inlets with the honeycomb structure typical of RS models characterize the front end of the car. The single-frame radiator grille is much wider and flatter than in the base model. Additional air inlets and outlets are located next to the headlights and rear lights. Tinted bezels frame the optional Matrix LED headlights.
The quattro blisters on the flanks emphasize the pronounced bulges over the wheel arches, which have been widened by 15mm. The 20-inch wheels are standard.
The aggressive styling is capped by the RS-specific diffuser, the oval tailpipes of the RS exhaust system and a trunk-mounted lip spoiler.
The all-new 2.9 TFSI V6 bi-turbo engine offers sharp increases in power and efficiency as well as an incomparably full-bodied RS sound. It delivers 450hp, and its peak torque of 600Nm — a whopping 170Nm more than the previous model — is available across an impressively broad engine speed range from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm.
The top model in the A5 family sprints from zero to 100 km/h in a stunningly quick 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h. With the optional RS dynamic package, it can reach 280 km/h.
The bi-turbo V6 consumes just 8.7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers — an efficiency gain of 17 percent over the previous model.
Another factor in the greater efficiency of the new RS 5 Coupé is its significantly lower weight. It weighs in at 1,655 kgs – 60 kgs less than previous model.
The bi-turbo’s power flows through a sport-tuned, eight-speed tiptronic transmission with optimized shift times and on to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive which features a self-locking central differential. The drive forces are asymmetrically distributed 40:60 between the front and rear axles. Audi Sport also offers the standard rear sport differential.
A revised five-link construction is used on the front axle. At the rear, a five-link suspension replaces the trapezoidal-link suspension used on the previous model, which improves comfort significantly. With the standard RS sport suspension, the new RS 5 Coupé sits 7mm lower than the base model.
Audi Sport also offers the RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) with RS-specific tuning, and the optional ceramic brakes and dynamic steering. Drivers can make their personal driving experience more individual, dynamic or comfortable using the standard dynamic handling system Audi drive select.
Swathed in black, the interior is of an extremely high standard and sportily equipped. RS sport seats — optionally available in fine Nappa leather with honeycomb pattern — and the flat-bottomed RS multifunction sport leather steering wheel underscore the character of the high-performance coupé in the interior as well. The steering wheel rim bears the RS badge, as do the front seat backrests and the shift gate.
Special RS displays in the Audi virtual cockpit provide information on tire pressure, torque and g-forces. A shift light prompts the driver to upshift upon reaching the rev limit. The RS design package brings the sporty contrast color red into play on the center console as well as on the armrests, the seat belts, and the floor mats with the RS logo. The steering wheel, selector lever and knee pads are all covered with Alcantara.
For more information, contact Audi Philippines at 727-0381 to 85 or visit any Audi showroom in Alabang, Global City, Greenhills and SM Seaside City Cebu.
