By: Ryan Ponto, photos: Rob Overcash @blinker.fluid
Editor’s Note: This article originally ran in the Q3_2022 issue of quattro Magazine. If you would like to subscribe to quattro Magazine, please join Audi Club here.
Rob has been a part of the four-ring family for nearly four decades now, initially falling in love with Audi automobiles back in the 80s when a good friend of his dad purchased a 5000 Avant. Growing up in Colorado, these cars were quite popular, which of course was due to their world renowned quattro all-wheel drive. Rob finally got his very own Audi after graduating college, a 1995 B5 A4 quattro with the 2.8 V6, pearl white paint (was there really any other color to lust for in the 90s?). From there he worked his way through various models, one in particular was a 2001 Nogaro Blue S4 Avant (Rob’s dream car) and a car Alex of Europrice still owns to this day. That was then, this is now and by 2019 Rob decided to go green… sort of.
The world around us is so focused on efficiency, economy, and the progress that is indeed fantastic to see. However, Rob had his own focus on going green… Sonoma Green to be exact. Enter in the 2019 RS 5 Sportback. This configuration was the marriage of a car that Rob absolutely loves, including everything one would want from a weekend car with the practicality of a sedan for school runs (no worries about the kids being late for school here…). It even has some of the utility of an Avant. Rob admits he wishes a wagon was available when he purchased this, though the Sportback definitely has not left him disappointed. So much about the RS 5 spoke to Rob, the proportions, styling, and even the homage elements all tying together perfectly for such a great all-around car.
Even though Audi was able to put together such a perfect car, Rob still had a modest list of OEM+ adjustments in mind that would improve the car and tailor it to his particular needs and aesthetic. The exterior has been upgraded to Euro-spec RS 5 Matrix LED headlights and matching Euro-spec rear LED taillights. A full OEM carbon fiber package has been retrofitted to the car, which includes the front blades, side skirt inserts, mirror caps, rear diffuser and of course, the rear spoiler. Given his car came as a Black Optics package, this was a subtle but fantastic upgrade to the aesthetics. Lowering was accomplished with the ABT HAS system and the symphony of the RS 5’s 2.9 biturbo was upgraded with Milltek’s sport race non-resonated exhaust.
The car has seen numerous sets of wheels. Similar to many reading this, wheel are much like shoes and it’s hard not to change them up for a new look. Currently the RS 5 is sitting on 20×10.5 Brixton Forged CM-6 Duo Series, a beautifully crafted two-piece forged set in Satin Oxford Gold. To compliment this satin finish, the RS 5 has also been fully wrapped in XPEL Stealth PPF.
On the inside, the OEM+ theme stays true to form, with numerous Euro-spec items added. From the label free Black Optic sun visors, to the Euro rear headrests, to the tiniest of details like the Alcantara shift cover and the retrofitting OEM Lamborghini Urus shift paddles, all of these unique touches further make this RS 5 an absolute dream, even if it isn’t exactly what most people think of when they think of a “green car”.
Euro Spec OEM+
OE Euro-spec RS5 Matrix LED headlights
OE Euro-spec LED taillights
20×10.5 Brixton Forged CM6-R Duo Series (2-piece) forged wheels in Satin Oxford Gold
Abt Height Adjustable Suspension (H.A.S.)
Milltek Sport Race Exhaust (non-resonated)
XPEL Stealth PPF
TAW Customs CF + Alcantara OE RS5 steering wheel
OE Lamborghini Urus shift paddle retrofit
Full OE CF package retrofit: front “blades”, side skirt inserts, mirror caps, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler. (My car came from the factory as a black optics equipped model, and I wanted the bits included in the optional Black Optic Carbon pkg … so I sourced all the OE parts and had them retrofit)
Eventuri Intake
OE CF engine cover
OE Alcantara shift cover
OE Euro-spec rear seat headrests
OE Euro-spec “label free” sun visors
OE Euro-spec convex exterior mirrors
OE Black badges
Bosch passenger display
Osram sweeping mirror indicators
034 Trans Mount
034 Subframe Mount
