Audi RS5 2017: Can it rival the BMW M4 and Mercedes C63?

A new RS5 variant of the Audi A5 coupe has officially gone on sale, replacing the ageing outgoing model that debuted seven years ago.

The car, which made its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, swaps the old model's 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine for a 2.9-litre biturbo V6 motor.

It boasts a power output of 44bhp - the same as the old V8-engined RS5 - but torque has increased by 125lb-ft, bringing the total to 442lb-ft.

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This is channeled to all-four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, says Evo, helping the sports coupe go from zero to 62mph in 3.9secs and on to a top speed of 174mph with the optional "driver pack".

It's the most powerful - and most expensive - coupe in the A5 range, but can it compete with its BMW M4 and Mercedes C63 rivals?

Design

The RS5 incorporates several styling cues from the regular A5 coupe, such as the headlight design and lines that run along the car's wings, but it introduces a raft of tweaks to make it look significantly more aggressive.

It's a look that reflects most of Audi's performance cars, says Autocar, all thanks to "its blistered arches, lacerated air intakes and porthole-big oval exhaust pipes". It's also 2.9ins longer than the outgoing model, but "the proportions feel about the same".

Evo says the "muscular styling" is believed to be "influenced by the firm's monstrous 90 Quattro IMSA GTO race car", which was a dominant force in US sports car racing in the 1980s.

Interior

Inside, Autocar says drivers will notice the RS5's cabin - "immaculate and brilliantly made and utterly endearing to touch and look at."

As standard, buyers will get Audi's Virtual Cockpit system, which swaps out the conventional analogue dashboard for a digital one. It can also be specced with lashing of Alcantara, distinguishing it as the sportiest model in the A5 range.

Evo agrees, saying the RS5 "builds on the foundations of the standard A5, which means few rivals come close for quality or upmarket appeal."

The cabin's design "is enhanced by some carefully chosen upgrades", adds the mag, including "a smattering of RS5 badges and some supremely supportive high-backed seats".

On the road

Stepping into the RS5 and activating the car's Auto mode makes the sports coupe feel "impressively easy going", says Evo. This is helped by the optional adaptive dampers, which "soak up bumps that would send a shudder" through its BMW M4 and Mercedes C63 rivals.

Switching the driver mode to its Dynamic setting transforms the RS5 into a "more focused" machine, adds the mag. The car "takes on an instantly harder edge", while the steering gets a heavier feel and "the engine gets louder".

It's driving modes may give the RS5 a "dual character", but AutoExpress says "it's clearly focused on comfort over ultimate sharpness".

On the motorway, the RS5 "is quiet, composed" and "comfy", adds the magazine. This is helped by the "high-quality interior", making the sports coupe feel like a "fast cruiser" rather than a hardcore version of the regular A5.

Verdict

Despite its responsive steering and comfortable ride quality, Evo says drivers may "never feel fully engaged" behind the wheel of the RS5.

This is because "there's no real finesse involved in attacking a series of corners" and the steering "lacks any real feedback". Throttle inputs are not as "adjustable as its rivals either", meaning drivers have less control "into and out of corners."

It's an opinion shared by AutoExpress, which adds that the V6 is "not the kind of engine that stands dramatically out from the rest of the driving experience", even though it's "as consistent as treacle".

However, the mag says the RS5 starts to "make consider sense" as a GT cruiser thanks to its "technical prowess and sharp-edged looks".

AutoExpress argues that "many buyers will be happy simply knowing that their car is the fastest, most expensive A5 in the range".

Audi's "impressive interior design is out in full force here", but the car can't compete with its BMW M4 and Mercedes C63 rivals "for driving thrills".

Price and release

The new RS5 is available to order now and costs £62,000, says Evo. That makes it slightly cheaper than the BMW M4 Competition Pack's £64,010 price tag and the £63,475 needed for the Mercedes C63.