Autobahn Test Shows the New Audi RS 5 Is an Incredible High-Speed Machine

[Source: AutoTopNL]

Audi’s all-new RS 5 has generated plenty of excitement thanks to its headline numbers. The new plug-in hybrid performance sedan combines a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 with an electric motor to produce a combined 630 horsepower. It rockets from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.7 seconds and, when equipped with the optional ceramic brakes, carries a top speed of 285 km/h (177 mph). Those are supercar-worthy figures. But after spending time with the RS 5 Avant on the Autobahn, YouTube reviewer Max from AutoTopNL believes the story is much more nuanced.

With traffic clearing late in the evening, Max was able to stretch the RS 5’s legs in the environment it was built for. The car accelerated effortlessly to an indicated 298 km/h, (185 mph) just shy of the coveted 300 km/h mark. Despite repeated attempts, the final two kilometers per hour never appeared, something the reviewer jokingly said would “give him nightmares.” However, straight-line performance is clearly not a problem.

The Harder You Push, The More Fun It Is

Max says the RS 5 becomes much more entertaining once you begin exploring its limits. Thanks to the new Torque Rear mode, the car rotates far more willingly than previous RS models. Rather than simply relying on quattro traction, the rear differential actively helps the car pivot through corners, making it feel much more playful than earlier generations. “It’s seriously good fun,” he says. The catch? You have to work for it. During normal commuting, the RS 5 simply feels like an exceptionally competent performance sedan. It’s only on the right road, or a race circuit, that its more entertaining personality begins to emerge.

For all its capability, the reviewer repeatedly returns to one issue. Weight. The plug-in hybrid system pushes the sedan to roughly 2,355 kilograms (5,192 pounds). That extra mass is obviously not a performance benefit, but it also affects practicality. Because the 22-kWh battery occupies much of the cargo floor, luggage capacity falls to around 360 liters (12.7 cubic feet), actually less than an Audi A3 Sportback.

Could It Be More Engaging?

We may or may not get the RS 5 Avant here in the U.S. but most of what Max says in the review would translate to the sedan version as well. If you’re looking for an incredibly fast, practical daily driver that can cover long distances in complete comfort, the new RS 5 is outstanding. The adaptive suspension, ceramic brakes, aggressive styling, and broad performance envelope make it one of the most capable Audis ever built. But if what you really want is maximum driver engagement, the case is not as convincing.

Perhaps that’s the most interesting takeaway from the new RS 5. Audi has unquestionably built one of the fastest and most technically advanced RS cars ever. The new RS 5 excels as an effortless, high-speed grand tourer and everyday performance sedan. Whether it delivers the same emotional connection as some of Audi’s greatest RS models is a question enthusiasts will likely continue debating long after the first cars reach customers.