In Detail: Refreshed 2020 Audi RS 5 Coupé and RS 5 Sportback

Audi has revised the RS 5 Coupé and RS 5 Sportback for 2020, with upgrades include a revised exterior design and larger MMI central infotainment screen.

Exterior design

The refined exterior design of the two RS 5 models is highlighted by the wider and flatter Audi Singleframe grille at the front. The cleaner look follows the design of its big brothers, the RS 6 and RS 7. Implied air vents above the grille are reminiscent of the classic Audi Sport quattro from 1984, while the wheel arches, which are 40 millimetres wider, give the RS 5 a more aggressive look.

The optional matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light feature darkened bezels, which clearly set the two RS models apart from the basic A5 model. Elsewhere, the large, more contoured air inlets have been given a new, pentagonal cut.

The side sills and the diffuser insert at the rear end, which encloses the two large tailpipes of the exhaust system, have also been redesigned.

For 2020, the RS 5 Coupé is fitted with a carbon roof with a CFRP fibre structure which lowers the car’s weight by just under four kilograms.

Interior

Horizontal lines and dark colours dominate the interior of the revised RS 5 models. The RS sport seats are covered with Alcantara and leather as standard, or fine Nappa leather as an option. The RS design package with red or grey accents is available upon request. Control elements such as the steering wheel and selector lever as well as the knee pads are fitted with Alcantara covers with red or grey contrasting stitching.

The new 10.1-inch MMI touch display is larger than before, which when fitted with Navigation Plus, features a specific RS monitor that provides the driver with information on the drive temperature, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, the quattro sport differential, the tire pressure and the tire temperature.

In the optional Audi virtual cockpit plus (12.3-inch display), the driver can select between multiple screens – one of them is the RS-specific performance design, which displays the rotational speed scale as a kind of angle that includes a shift light display. The optional head-up display also offers exclusive RS graphics.

Powertrain

The 2.9 TFSI twin-turbo V6, the heart of the RS 5 models delivers an unchanged 331 kW and a whopping 600 Nm of torque from 1,900 rpm. Fuel consumption is rated at 9.1L/100km. Both RS 5 models accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

A quick-shifting eight-speed automatic directs the power of the engine to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The handling can be made even sportier with the optional sport differential at the rear axle, which distributes the torque actively between the wheels.

Chassis and suspension

The two RS 5 models are fitted as standard with a taut RS sport suspension. The RS sport suspension plus with the Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) hydraulic roll and pitch stabilization is available as an option.

In addition to the familiar comfort, auto, and dynamic modes, the Audi drive select dynamic handling system also offers the two new modes, RS1 and RS2. Once the driver has set the two modes to suit their personal preferences and stored them, they can be enabled directly via the “RS MODE” button on the steering wheel without having to operate the MMI touch response again. The system accesses important technical elements like the engine, transmission, damping, steering, dynamic steering, sport differential, and engine sound.

The revised RS 5 models are equipped with 19-inch wheels. New 20-inch wheels are available upon request in three variants. In the standard brake system, steel disks are gripped by calipers painted in black or red. As an alternative, Audi offers carbon fibre ceramic brake disks for the front axle.

Australian introduction

The new Audi RS 5 Coupé and RS 5 Sportback is expected to arrive in Australia in mid-2020. Pricing and specification will be announced closer to launch.