larger, lighter and faster 2017 AUDI RS5 coupé test drive

AUDI RS5 coupé test drive: racing through the ever-winding mountainous roads of andorra’s luscious green landscape, designboom test drove the all-new and all-powerful AUDI ‘RS5 coupé’. developed specifically for the second generation model, it enhances a TFSI bi-turbo engine that produces 450 hp (331 kw) and 600 nm of torque. this sharp power accelerates the sports car from 0 to 62.1 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds and onward to a top speed of 155.3 mph (250 km/h) – all whilst delivering a full-bodied sound that echoed across the pyrenees valleys.

the exterior design sources influence from the AUDI ’90 quattro IMSA GTO’
all images courtesy of AUDI AG

the speed of the AUDI ‘RS5 coupé’ is aided by its drastic weight reduction where, at 1,655 kg (3,648.7 lb), 60 kg has been shaved off from the predecessor. this figure only increases further if the optional carbon fiber roof is selected as well. the eight-speed tiptronic transmission has optimized shift times and delivers output through the quattro permanent all-wheel drive, where distribution is shared between the axles at a ratio of 40:60. furthermore, with a revised five-link construction for both the front and rear suspensions, the coupé promises a sporty performance with agility and dynamic handling, which most notably expertly managed the sharp corners of andorra’s mountain roads.

quattro blisters emphasize the sweeping lines over the wide wheel arches

‘the new AUDI RS 5 coupé is the gran turismo among the RS models from AUDI sport. the high-performance coupé combines elegant aesthetics with high everyday usability. the car’s V6 bi-turbo has been developed from the ground up and provides significantly more performance coupled with higher efficiency,‘ said stephan winkelmann, CEO of AUDI sport GmbH, in describing the new model.

the car’s gross weight has been lowered by as much as 60 kg

just like its performance, the exterior cannot be characterized as anything other than sporty and dynamic. taking influence from the AUDI ‘90 quattro IMSA GTO’, the car’s front end is dominated by a gradually sloping bonnet with distinct grooves, above the wide and flat singleframe radiator grille. on either side of this, massive air inlets with the typically AUDI honeycomb structure sit close to the ground, delivering a very powerful stance. above these are additional lateral air intakes and outlets, as well as the matrix LED headlights. with 74mm extra in length than previously, the side silhouette directs attention to the front and back with pronounced wheel arch bulges and clean body work. at the rear, the sports coupé is completed with a RS-specific diffuser insert, oval exhaust tailpipes and a surface-mounted spoiler lip.

the rear features RS-specific diffuser insert, oval exhaust tailpipes and a surface-mounted spoiler lip

with the AUDI exclusive ‘sonoma green’ design package, the exterior bodywork glimmers with different tones of color as the sun catches its sculpted edges. appropriately integrated into the interior, the green acts as a contrast stitching amongst the alcantara leather-clad RS sports seats and flat-bottomed RS multifunction sport steering wheel. this, as well as the sporty carbon fibre dashboard and console trim, ensures an interior of extreme quality and performance equipped. on the special RS displays in the AUDI virtual cockpit, drivers receive all performance-related information, ranging from tire pressure to torque, and g-forces to fuel efficiency. additionally, on the steering wheel and the dashboard, users can control and adjust the handling system of AUDI drive select, choosing between individual, comfort or dynamic modes, which truly improved the experience when driving from the french highways to the pyrenees mountain passes.

the all-new 2.9 TFSI bi-turbo engine delivers 450 hp (331 kw) and 600 nm of torque