The RS5 does not have as illustrious a history as produces such as other RS-badged Audi products as the A5 on which it is based has only been around since 2007. The first generation V8-powered RS5 coupe was first released to the public in 2010, was updated in 2012 and went out of production in 2015.
The second generation of Audi’s RS5 was released locally in 2017 and introduced a turbocharged engine and torque converter automatic to the model in place of a naturally aspirated V8 and dual-clutch gearbox. The latest RS5 was updated in 2020 and has arrived on local shores, with the official launch set to commence in early April, a week from the time of writing.
At the time of writing, there were more than 20 RS5 variants for sale on AutoTrader. Here are 3 things that you need to know about this product.
1.New CFRP roof
The RS5 Coupe is now shipped with a carbon roof, with a Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) structure which the brand claims saves 4kg while also lowering the RS5’s centre of gravity.
2.Matrix LED headlights are standard
Audi has announced that a pair of its reshaped flagship matrix LED headlights will now come as standard on the updated RS5. These headlights are adaptive and produce their high beam with tiny light-emitting diodes that are bundled in common reflectors or lenses. The so-called ‘intelligent functionality’ means that individual diodes can be turned on and off according to prevailing conditions, meaning they illuminate the road without blinding other road users.
3.OTP fitted, but performance remains the same
The RS5 and its RS5 Sportback and RS4 Avant siblings have had to be fitted with Otto Particulate Filters (OPF) as part of the latest European emissions regulations pertaining to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) now used to test fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This may negatively affect performance and engine sound, however, the RS5 comes with the sports exhaust as standard while the brand claims the same 331kW and 600Nm of torque from the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6. Claimed performance figures remain the same too, with a 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed limited to 250km/h with the option of raising this to 280km/h.
