New vs used Audi RS5: What are the top 5 differences?

The first Audi RS5 was introduced in 2011 when Audi decided to offer the A5 range. The A5 model line-up was based on the popular Audi A4 however it featured coupe body styles, Sportbacks and convertibles, it was the wilder sister to the more placid A4 range. The RS5 was offered in either coupe or cabriolet guise whereas the RS4 was only offered as a station wagon. Both cars shared the same underpinnings and that included the engine.

 

The latest offering follows suit and, like the previous model shares the same architecture under the skin however the latest RS5 is offered a coupe, Sportback and cabriolet where the latest RS4 is only available as a station wagon. While the latest model features a new engine and the latest technology one could argue that it lacks something the previous iteration offered. A closer look at both might expose the truth.

 

Related: Is the Audi RS5 good for new drivers?

 

1. The looks

The latest RS5 features a sharper, more sinister design. A long bonnet and a large prominent grille flanked by vents add to the sporty look. A strong shoulder line flows into the rear where LED tail lights attract your attention. Lower down, two large oval tailpipes confirms the cars sporty credentials.

 

The previous car looks aggressive but it doesn’t look sinister. The front end features an upright design and the grille is equally as large but some might consider it overly dated now. The side profile also features a strong character line which is a noticeable design element carried over to the latest offering. The rear also makes use of two large oval pipes which were first introduced on this model of RS5.

 

The original Audi RS was born in an era where the V8 was king. The BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63 both featured V8 motors. The derivative used in the RS5 came in the form of a hand-built 4.2-litre unit that developed 331 kW and 430 Nm. The power was produced at a screaming 8 250rpm which meant that you needed to keep your foot flat to the floor until the red needle kissed the red line. Unfortunately the low torque figure was disadvantaged even more due to the cars weight. That said however, the brands quattro all-wheel-drive system and a quick-shifting S-Tronic gearbox the RS5 could hit 100kp/h in around 4.6 seconds. 

 

The latest offering, however, has moved with the times and we find ourselves in a time where turbochargers make up for displacement. Manufacturers have engineered the engine so that small capacity motors can make exceptional power figures. The new Audi RS5 has forgone the V8 for a modest 2.9-litre six-cylinder unit. It develops the same 331 kW but it now produces 600 Nm of torque, a much better figure compared to the previous model. This means that the latest model will, thanks to a revised quattro system and a single clutch automatic gearbox hit 100km/h in around 4 seconds.

 

The older Audi RS5 came under fire for its handling because the engine was mounted on the front axle, this, coupled with the quattro all-wheel-drive system made the car understeer through high-speed corners (on a racetrack). Understeer is where the driver turns the wheel but the nose of the car keeps going straight, the vehicle is under-steering. This was an issue that plagued many fast Audi products of that era. The car was able to send 70% of its power to the rear wheels in Sport mode thanks to an optional sports differential.

 

The latest Audi RS5 features a lighter engine which can be mounted further back, towards the firewall due to it having two fewer cylinders. This means that the weight is not on the front axle, this results in reduced understeer. The all-wheel-drive system has also been enhanced and computers now manage where the bulk of the power goes depending on grip needed. The latest car is also offered with a sports differential and various driving modes and suspension setups to improve handling.

 

Related: Has the RS5 coupé built on the excitement already set by its forebears?

 

The latest car offers a host of technological enhancements which aid in semi-autonomous driving ability. These include items such as lane-keep assist and active cruise control. The latest offering also features Audis updated MMI system which includes a better user interface and other convenient functions such as Apple CarPlay. The older MMI infotainment system and satellite navigation will feel out of place in today’s modern world although one can expect an SD card slots and Bluetooth. As for driver aids, well the previous RS5 made do with the standard safety aids and cruise control. The blind-spot assist was added on the facelift model.

 

While the latest car outperforms the previous model on paper and, on the road, there is one big thing which you just can’t ignore, and that is the way they make you feel. The new car is faster and more technologically advanced but it lacks feeling. The author of this article has spent many a kilometre behind the wheel of both the new and old Audi RS5 and one thing remains true, the new car, although brilliant as a machine lacks a soul.

 

The older car demands your attention, it demands to be driven. It will impress and disappoint you at the same time however the biggest attraction is the sound. The exhaust sound made by the naturally aspirated engine is one reason alone to walk past the new one and search the previous generation here.

 

Let’s look at the facts 

	New Audi RS5	Used Audi RS5
Engine	2.9l bi-turbo V6	Naturally aspirated 4.2 V8
Power	331kW/600Nm	331kW/430Nm
Performance: 0-100km/h	4.0 seconds	4.6 seconds
Fuel consumption	9.1l/100km	10.8l/100km
Price	R1 347 000 (Base coupe)	R399 950 – R599 995

 

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