What is it: The 2018 Audi RS5 is a subcompact car inside, but its exterior footprint is within a couple of inches of a Ford Mustang in every dimension. For what it’s worth, Mustangs are also subcompacts. Fastback coupes just aren’t very big inside. The RS5 is the top trim available in the A5 lineup, the A5 and S5 lie beneath it, with 252 and 354 hp, respectively.
Key Competitors: BMW M4, Lexus RC F, Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe,
Base Price: $70,875 As-Tested Price: $80,775
Full review: 2018 Audi RS5 Coupe review
Highlights: The latest version of the RS5 is new for 2018. Long gone are the old glory days of V8 power, which the last-gen RS5 had, producing a mighty 444 hp. The new powerplant is merely 2.9-liters and, sure, it’s twin-turbocharged, but still, peak is just, uh…444 hp. In fact that power peak comes between 5,700 and 6,700 rpm, much lower than the rev happy V8. Peak torque is much higher too, 443 lb-ft between 1,900 – 5,000 rpm, 126 more than the outgoing motor.
Our Opinion: Clean design inside and out simultaneously adds distinction to the RS5 and allows it to blend in. This is not a car purchased to make a splash, but it definitely does make a statement. Does that sound a bit perplexing and contradictory? Good. The RS5’s look straddles those lines and makes it hard to read. To add to the effect, order your RS5 in Nardo Grey paint.
It’s a modern-day sleeper of sorts. There are little hints, the 20-inch wheels enveloped by 30-series, low-profile tires with red brake calipers shining through; fat exhaust pipes hanging out of the back and racy looking stitched seats inside. But, unless the driver wants it to, the RS5 keeps quiet and moseys along without fuss. The comfort setting of the drive select system makes it darn near supple.
But switch to dynamic and things stiffen up. Our RS5 came with the optional Dynamic Ride Control adjustable shocks, which not only firm things up at each corner, but joins the shocks into one system with oil lines running diagonally across the car to connect them to each other. There’s a control valve in between, which can send oil from one shock to another. This allows the system to reduce pitch and roll and make the RS5 feel lighter on its feet than its nearly 4,000-pound curb weight would suggest.
And then there’s the power. Having such a healthy low-end torque curve gives you tons of thrust over such a broad rev range that having an eight-speed automatic transmission seems superfluous. And 444 horsepower is good, always. The RS5 doesn’t have the reflexes to be first choice as a track-day toy, but it does have the overall polish, comfort, style and energy to relish any chance to rocket around your favorite canyon road and try to remain there on an infinite loop.
–Robin Warner, managing editor
Options: Dynamic Package including RS sport suspension plus with dynamic ride control, RS sport exhaust, red brake calipers ($3,250), Navigation Package including Audi MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect prime and plus (6 month trial), Audi virtual cockpit ($2,600), black optic package including 20” five-arm trapezoid design forged bi-color wheels, 275/30/20 summer performance tires, black optic exterior kit with quattro script, body color exterior mirror housings ($1,500), fine nappa leather package including fine nappa leather seats with honeycomb stitching, fine nappa leather covered center console and door armrests, LED interior lighting plus package ($1,500), Bang & Olufsen sound system with 3D sound ($950)
– Robin Warner is Managing Editor at Autoweek. He once tried and failed to become a professional race car driver, but succeeded in learning about debt management and having a story to tell. A former engineer, Warner loves cars for their technology and capability.
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On Sale: Now
Base Price: $70,875
As Tested Price: $80,775
Powertrain: 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6, eight-speed automatic, AWD
Output: 444 hp @ 5,700-6,700 rpm, 443 lb-ft @ 1,900-5,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,990 lb
Fuel Economy: 18/26/21 mpg(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)
Pros: Morphs between muscle and luxury
Cons: In an ideal world, this car would be 12-inches shorter, weigh less, and only seat two — I suppose it would be an R8