SINGAPORE (Apr 3): When it comes to luxury cars, Audi stands out for not standing out. Its cars are always understated and the perfect example of stealth wealth. Expensive but not show-offy
Being sporty and athletic, Audi RS models are at the opposite end of the spectrum to the business-like and sensible sedans that the German luxury brand is known for.
Still, nothing can prepare you for the new Audi RS 5 Sportback, the super sporty, five-door high-performance coupé.
Just by taking a look at the new RS 5 Sportback, you know this is a car that is very different from your conventional Audi. With its stand-out colour — my test drive model was an eye-popping metallic sonoma green — big wheels with bright red brake caliper brakes and sporty rear (hence the name Sportback) this car looks very un-Audi like. It is mean and green, or a mechanical version of the Hulk, says my son Freddie.
As expected, we turned more than a few heads on the roads and pavements of Singapore during my 48 hours with this green beast.
For a sedan, and a pretty one, the RS 5 Sportback does look incredibly sporty. The long sleek lines are neatly broken by the chunky 20-in wheels which lurk from the wheel arches, which Audi calls “quattro blisters”. For all its raw athleticism on the outside, it is all about modern luxury and comfort on the inside, with a heavy dose of sportiness too.
It is hard to forget this is an RS edition as the logo is emblazoned throughout the cabin. Audis typically feature soft black leathers and brushed chrome as their two main components in the cabin. This is still true of the RS 5, but it is the sports car feeling that takes centrestage. The low-slung driving position, snug-fitting sports seats and alloy pedals give you that sports car feeling, but wrapped in German premium comfort all the time. To make the car feel even more sporty virtual, the cockpit display can be set up to make the car feel even more sporty, showing you real-time information on tyre pressure, torque and G forces.
I really felt at home with the flat-bottom steering wheel, covered in perforated leather. Not only did it look great, it also gave me greater control of the car, particularly when cornering at speed. And speed was definitely the name of the game, as I put pedal to the metal and tested out its performance stats.
Audi claims the RS 5 can go from 0 to 100kph in 3.9 seconds but the stats felt a little dubious to me. I actually felt the RS 5 did it quicker as I pulled away from the lights and got up to 100kph at lightning speed, and with a slightly sore neck. It was a thrilling experience and one I repeated countless times, never getting bored. To put it in perspective, 3.9 seconds is just a split second slower than the 495bhp Porsche 911 R.
And the sound is awesome. The RS 5 growls and purrs like a big green pussycat on four wheels. Just start the engine up and it roars with glee, put your foot down and it does the same thing, only for longer. It is a beautiful sound and one you associate with a supercar like a Maserati or the Porsche 911 Turbo. This is best experienced in the Dynamic driving mode, one of four different options available.
Under the bonnet, you get a compact but highly efficient 2.9-litre V6 engine, combined with a pair of turbochargers. While the previous model had a 4.2-litre V8 engine, do not be fooled into thinking power is being sacrificed. I remember test driving the predecessor and that was lightning fast too. In fact, the power output remains the same.
With this much power, be grateful you get a lot of control too. This comes courtesy of its quattro permanent all-wheel drive and highly responsive eight-speed tiptronic transmission. You will find it smooth sailing all the way even when you are pushing national speed limits as the suspension is intelligent and quickly adapts to the road and your driving style.
The RS 5 features technology that is abundant but not overpowering. The centre console is very easy to use and is nicely integrated into the dashboard. The sat nav works like a charm and the massaging seats relaxed me while I scrolled through the media options and connectivity.
Finally, when it comes to a spacious interior you are in for a treat. There is plenty of legroom for five passengers and the boot is cavernous at 480 litre capacity.
The RS 5 is just like nothing on the market. Yes it may be a niche buy but you will definitely stand out from the crowd, and stay way ahead of them, in it
