Really Speedy

The brand-new Audi RS5 makes exactly the same number of horses as its predecessor – 444! Does this mean, then, that it hasn’t moved forward?

- Ravi Ved

The RS5 was Audi’s answer to the might of the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. And to counter these two heavyweights it had a naturally aspirated V8 motor that shared its DNA with Lamborghini’s V10 engine. This enabled it to redline at over 8,000rpm and produce over 440 horses – more than the M3 of the time. All of this, of course, coalesced to make it the hot commodity that it was!

The brand new RS5 trades in its V8 for a V6 and twin-turbos. Interestingly, however, it produces exactly the same amount of power as before. Instead of a lunatic Lambo, it now shares its engine with the more civilised Porsche Panamera and Cayenne.

Does this mean, then, that the RS5 has gone soft? Well, in one word, no!

More speed

Following the ongoing trend of downsizing engines, the second-gen Audi RS5 is powered by a 2.9-litre V6 with two turbochargers. Although this RS5 Coupe continues to make 444bhp, like its predecessor, the turbochargers ensure that peak power comes in at a more accessible 5,700rpm. The torque rating, however, has increased substantially – from 430Nm to an impressive 600Nm, and peak torque kicks in from as low as 1,900rpm – and goes right up to 5,000rpm. Availability of all this power and torque lower in the rev range makes it very friendly, almost like your neighbour’s well-trained Labrador puppy. Even when Drive Select is set to comfort, the RS5 gains speed rather effortlessly – so much so that you’re doing illegal speeds before you know it. And when you switch to Dynamic mode, the car transforms from a Labrador to a Rottweiler. Acceleration is a lot more urgent, and the sweet sound from the exhaust simply gives you another reason to smile.