Find of the Day: A Rare Audi RS 5 Ascari Launch Edition With a Steve Dinan Connection

Steve Dinan is a name that should be familiar to just about anyone who follows the German performance-car scene. He built his reputation making BMWs faster and better handling, eventually founding CarBahn after leaving the company that bears his name. But Dinan’s expertise isn’t limited to vehicles wearing a blue-and-white roundel. As it turns out, he also has a thing for the four rings. And now, his rather special 2021 Audi RS 5 Coupe is looking for a new home.

Currently listed on Bring a Trailer, this isn’t just another used RS 5. It’s an Ascari Launch Edition, finished in gorgeous Ascari Blue Metallic with contrasting matte aluminum exterior accents. The special edition also came equipped with desirable performance features, including Audi Ceramic composite front brakes and an RS Sport exhaust system. Inside, you’ll find black Nappa leather with Rock Gray stitching, carbon matte trim, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. But the most interesting part of this particular RS 5 isn’t its color or equipment. It’s the person who owned it and what he did with it.

According to the auction listing, Dinan originally leased the car before purchasing it outright. The RS 5 subsequently served as a research and development vehicle for CarBahn, the performance company he founded. That means this Audi wasn’t simply used for commuting or weekend drives. It helped develop performance upgrades that other RS 5 owners could eventually enjoy.

Under the hood is Audi’s familiar twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6, which produced 444 horsepower in factory specification. However, this example has received CarBahn Stage 2 engine management software, along with an upgraded Wagner intercooler and heat exchanger. The listing doesn’t provide a current horsepower figure, but it’s reasonable to expect more performance than a stock RS 5.

The modifications aren’t limited to the engine. CarBahn coilovers replace the factory suspension components, while 20-inch wheels wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Power still reaches all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive with a sport rear differential.

The car has accumulated approximately 26,000 miles. Prospective buyers should also know that the Carfax report lists minor damage from June 2022, and the auction photos show some scraping beneath the front splitter.

With only 25 Ascari Launch Edition RS 5 Coupes ever made they are all special. Add Steve Dinan’s ownership history and its role in developing CarBahn performance upgrades, and you’ve got something considerably more special. For Audi enthusiasts who appreciate both performance and provenance, this one deserves a closer look. Bidding ends on Tuesday, November 3.

View the Bring a Trailer listing here.