Audi is using the New York International Auto Show to finally show us their sexy new RS5 Sportback.
Basically a four-door version of the sexy RS5 Coupe, the Sportback gets the same furious 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 under the hood, good for 331kw and 600nm. The powerplant is paired with an 8-speed ZF-supplied automatic gearbox, and quattro all-wheel drive.
A mechanical centre differential splits the torque 40:60 between the front and rear axles, but it can send up to 85% frontwards or 70% rearwards if needed. An electronic differential provides torque vectoring at the rear axle too. Audi Sport claims the RS5 Sportback will hit 96kph in under 4 seconds and top speed is limited to 250kph, while opting for the Dynamic plus package raises this to 280kph.
Compared to the S5 Sportback, the hips of the RS5 are 15mm wider on each side. It also has an RS-specific grill with a honeycomb mesh structure, and fat oval exhaust pipes.
This is the first time that Audi has created an RS5 Sportback, and will launch in the US in the second half of 2018, before being launched in Europe and other markets. Let's hope Audi South Africa brings it to SA.
Also worth a look: the Audi Rs3 and the Out with the Old, In with the New: Audi A5 Replaces A4 in So.
FAQ
Q: What does the Audi RS5 Sportback cost in South Africa?
The Audi RS5 Sportback will likely start around R1,850,000 when it arrives in SA, putting it in premium performance territory alongside the BMW M4 Gran Coupe and Mercedes-AMG C63 S.
Q: Is the Audi RS5 Sportback worth buying?
Absolutely, if you want a practical four-door rocket that can haul the kids and still embarrass supercars at the traffic lights, the RS5 Sportback delivers 331kW of pure German fury with everyday usability.
Q: How fast is the Audi RS5 Sportback compared to its rivals?
With a sub-4 second sprint to 96kph and 331kW from its twin-turbo V6, the RS5 Sportback matches the BMW M4 Gran Coupe for pace but offers more character than the clinical Mercedes-AMG alternatives.
Q: When will the Audi RS5 Sportback be available in South Africa?
Audi SA hasn't confirmed local availability yet, but expect it to arrive sometime in 2019 if they decide to bring this four-door beast to our shores.
Should You Buy It?
The best four-door performance car under R2,000,000 in SA will likely be the Audi RS5 Sportback when it arrives. With 331kW, quattro grip, and genuine everyday practicality, this is the perfect compromise between family duties and weekend thrills. Yes, you should absolutely buy it if you can stretch to the expected R1,850,000 asking price, it's the thinking person's muscle car with German precision and enough space for the weekly Woolies run.
