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21st
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Ask any Audi enthusiast and they'll tell you that the two most important letters in their beloved brand's lineup are "R" and "S". They will also tell you that when these two letters come together, the end result is extra special.
In Canada, we've seen the results of what an "RS" vehicle is capable of: Back in 2004, Audi offered a limited run of RS 6 models in Canada, followed a few years later by the 2007-'08 RS 4. Then, in 2012, there was the TT RS, which was a little monster.
For 2013, Audi is offering another special edition model, the RS 5 Coupe. But is the new car as mad and magnificent as its predecessors or has the formula been watered down?
The 2013 Audi RS 5 is a luxurious, high-performance coupe for the businessman/woman who likes to have fun on the way to work. It is also for those who want something rare, as only 150 examples of the RS 5 Coupe will come to Canada. According to Audi, they are almost all sold out; so if you want one, hurry up. Prices start at $77,000.
Power on the outside
From a styling point of view, the 2013 Audi RS 5 has the familiar pumped-up look of previous RS models where they take the basic model's body and give it more pronounced bumpers, rocker panels, hips and tailpipes. The end result is one of quiet aggression. Most will think the 2013 Audi RS 5 is just another Audi, while those in the know will give you a nod of approval.
Open the door to the 2013 Audi RS 5 and the interior will look very familiar to anyone who's been in an A5. While it is the same size, has the same design, and has the same gadgets you'd find in the more mainstream A5 models: all is not the same. The 2013 Audi RS 5 gets its own special seats, and the steering wheel feels beefier and has its own unique touches. The differences might be subtle, but they're there.
Power on the inside
The biggest difference is found under the hood: The 2013 Audi RS 5 gets the same 4.2L, normally aspirated V8 found in the back of an R8 supercar. Only, in the 2013 Audi RS 5, the engine was pumped up a bit so instead of just 430 hp (like the R8), in the RS 5 you get 450 hp at 8,250 rpm and 316 lb-ft of torque (available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm).
Power is sent to all four wheels via Audi's clever quattro system.
Power in the 2013 Audi RS 5 is managed via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. This gearbox is not only smooth, but ferociously quick to swap cogs. And with Audi's Drive Select configurations, you can choose between four settings for the vehicle's transmission shift characteristics: Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual.
In Dynamic mode the transmission downshifts with an automated throttle blip. It is all a lot of fun; and as I found out, can also scare grannies on the sidewalk.
For serious fun, find yourself an open stretch of road and flex the 2013 Audi RS 5's muscles -- it's insanely quick. According to Audi, the RS 5 can hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.7 seconds (feels quicker than that, actually), and if you find yourself on an unrestricted road (good luck trying to find one of those in Canada), it will max out at 280 km/h.
Actually, the 2013 Audi RS 5 is electronically limited to that speed; however, take the limiter off and you'd surely surpass that speed. While 280 km/h is fast enough, I cannot give you a firsthand account of how this car feels at that speed. However, I did stretch its legs on a few occasions, and I was blown away by just how stable the RS 5 is.
Quattro at its best
It's not necessary to be going illegally fast to have some fun in the 2013 Audi RS 5. Find a twisty bit of tarmac and it will impress you with its handling. Its electromechanical steering might not have the same feel as the older hydraulic-based steering systems, but it is not bad at all.
Even though the RS 5 is supposed to be a bonkers thrill machine, its chassis and suspension set-up encourages more understeer than sudden-snap oversteer. While this is a safer set-up for most people, it does make it less thrilling to drive than cars like the rear-wheel R8.
In Canada, we've seen the results of what an "RS" vehicle is capable of: Back in 2004, Audi offered a limited run of RS 6 models in Canada, followed a few years later by the 2007-'08 RS 4. Then, in 2012, there was the TT RS, which was a little monster.
 |
For 2013, Audi is offering another special edition model, the RS 5 Coupe. But is the new car as mad and magnificent as its predecessors or has the formula been watered down?
The 2013 Audi RS 5 is a luxurious, high-performance coupe for the businessman/woman who likes to have fun on the way to work. It is also for those who want something rare, as only 150 examples of the RS 5 Coupe will come to Canada. According to Audi, they are almost all sold out; so if you want one, hurry up. Prices start at $77,000.
Power on the outside
From a styling point of view, the 2013 Audi RS 5 has the familiar pumped-up look of previous RS models where they take the basic model's body and give it more pronounced bumpers, rocker panels, hips and tailpipes. The end result is one of quiet aggression. Most will think the 2013 Audi RS 5 is just another Audi, while those in the know will give you a nod of approval.
Open the door to the 2013 Audi RS 5 and the interior will look very familiar to anyone who's been in an A5. While it is the same size, has the same design, and has the same gadgets you'd find in the more mainstream A5 models: all is not the same. The 2013 Audi RS 5 gets its own special seats, and the steering wheel feels beefier and has its own unique touches. The differences might be subtle, but they're there.
 |
| The RS models get more pronounced bumpers, rocker panels, hips and tailpipes. (photo: Nauman Farooq) |
Power on the inside
The biggest difference is found under the hood: The 2013 Audi RS 5 gets the same 4.2L, normally aspirated V8 found in the back of an R8 supercar. Only, in the 2013 Audi RS 5, the engine was pumped up a bit so instead of just 430 hp (like the R8), in the RS 5 you get 450 hp at 8,250 rpm and 316 lb-ft of torque (available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm).
Power is sent to all four wheels via Audi's clever quattro system.
Power in the 2013 Audi RS 5 is managed via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. This gearbox is not only smooth, but ferociously quick to swap cogs. And with Audi's Drive Select configurations, you can choose between four settings for the vehicle's transmission shift characteristics: Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual.
In Dynamic mode the transmission downshifts with an automated throttle blip. It is all a lot of fun; and as I found out, can also scare grannies on the sidewalk.
For serious fun, find yourself an open stretch of road and flex the 2013 Audi RS 5's muscles -- it's insanely quick. According to Audi, the RS 5 can hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.7 seconds (feels quicker than that, actually), and if you find yourself on an unrestricted road (good luck trying to find one of those in Canada), it will max out at 280 km/h.
Actually, the 2013 Audi RS 5 is electronically limited to that speed; however, take the limiter off and you'd surely surpass that speed. While 280 km/h is fast enough, I cannot give you a firsthand account of how this car feels at that speed. However, I did stretch its legs on a few occasions, and I was blown away by just how stable the RS 5 is.
 |
| An RS 5 gets the same 4.2L, normally aspirated V8 found in the back of an R8 supercar. (photo: Nauman Farooq) |
Quattro at its best
It's not necessary to be going illegally fast to have some fun in the 2013 Audi RS 5. Find a twisty bit of tarmac and it will impress you with its handling. Its electromechanical steering might not have the same feel as the older hydraulic-based steering systems, but it is not bad at all.
Even though the RS 5 is supposed to be a bonkers thrill machine, its chassis and suspension set-up encourages more understeer than sudden-snap oversteer. While this is a safer set-up for most people, it does make it less thrilling to drive than cars like the rear-wheel R8.