PHOTO: New design elements, like the wider Singleframe grille, air vents, and Matrix LED headlamps, make the latest Audi RS 5 Sportback look sharper.
With numerous new design details and a host of intuitive digital technologies, the 2022 Audi RS 5 Sportback has become an even more dynamic all-rounder as it combines stunning pulling power and immense traction with daily-use practicality — just as a hot Sportback should, noted The Sunday Times when the esteemed UK publication’s Motor Awards named the Audi RS 5 Sportback as the best performer in its segment.
A hot Sportback “needs to be eminently usable for the weekly shop and school run but also able to set your pants on fire, if so desired,” The Sunday Times explained, adding the “Audi RS 5 Sportback does all that in spades.”
With its arrival, the new Audi RS 5 Sportback marks the first time an Audi Sport RS model rendered in stylish five-door fastback coupe body style becomes part of Audi Philippines’ lineup. It joins other Audi Sport RS models now available in Audi Philippines, namely the RS 5 Coupe, RS Q3 Sportback, RS 4 Avant, RS 6 Avant and RS Q8. Audi Sport is the high-performance division of Audi AG, and develops all the RS models.
The new Audi RS 5 Sportback remains true to its genetics as it continues its sporty and elegant character. Its wave-like shoulder line accentuates its perfectly balanced proportions as defined by a long hood, stretched wheelbase, muscular fenders and short overhangs. Placed above the signature RS Singleframe grille are implied air vents that call to mind those on the original 1980s Audi Quattro. Complementing the flatter and wider Singleframe grille are Matrix LED headlights and pentagonal side air inlets.
At the sides, the latest Audi RS 5 Sportback gets new sill trims and flared wheel arches that reference the model’s quattro genetics. The redesigned RS-specific bumper, lip spoiler, LED combination lamps and a diffuser that showcases the RS exhaust system mark the car’s rear end. The Black Optic trim package, which includes the RS tailpipes, further sharpens up the look of the new Audi RS 5 Sportback. Key parts of the RS Sports Brake package are easily seen behind 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, which are available in three distinctive designs: the five-arm Peak Style in matt bronze, the five-arm Flag Style in anthracite, and the five-segment-spoke Evo.
The future-oriented interior design of the Audi RS 5 Sportback features a new operating concept which is concentrated on a 10.1-inch MMI touch display. The system features acoustic feedback, a smartphone-like menu, and natural-language voice control. The MMI Navigation plus infotainment system is fitted with the “RS monitor” view that displays engine and transmission temperature, g-forces generated, and tire pressure and temperature. Another high-resolution monitor, the 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit, can also display infotainment and navigation functions, RS information, as well as lap times and acceleration readouts.
Matching these intuitive technologies are a flat-bottom steering wheel with multifunction Plus controls, a pair of RS sports seats wrapped in perforated Valcona leather, three-zone climate control, the extended leather package, carbon twill trim, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system, among other premium items.
Powering the new Audi RS 5 Sportback is a 2.9-liter, twin-turbo TFSI V6 engine. Producing 450hp and 600Nm, the engine can propel the car from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. An 8-speed tiptronic transmission tuned for sportiness transmits the engine’s output to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system that, in normal driving operation, distributes 40% of the power to the front axle and the rest to the rear. But, depending on requirements, the center differential can redirect up to 70% of the power toward the front, or up to 85% toward the rear, resulting in even more dynamic handling while constantly ensuring traction.
Further enhancing handling is the RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control, which consists of steel springs and three-way adjustable dampers. This highly responsive system constantly counteracts the pitch and roll movements of the vehicle’s body to bind the car to the road, especially during hard cornering.
Three suspension and performance characteristics can be chosen using Audi drive select — comfort, auto and dynamic. Added to these drive settings are the new RS1 and RS2 modes which can be individually configured, saved, and then selected directly via the RS Mode button on the steering wheel. The Audi drive select also controls engine and transmission management, steering boost, the quattro differential, the sound emitted by the RS sport exhaust system, and even the automatic air-conditioning, ensuring the new Audi RS 5 Sportback is a high-performance model that is perfectly suitable for daily use.
For more information, contact Audi Philippines at +639178139064.
