Monday 10th June 2019

Audi RS5 Sportback finally lands in UK

Five-door version of Audi's 450hp M4 rival will cost from £68,985

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More than a year after it was first revealed, Audi has introduced the new RS5 Sportback to the UK alongside an updated version of the coupe. Both the more-door and normal version of Audi’s 450hp V6 range-topper come with the same 3.9-second 0-62mph time and limited 155mph top speed, but are now offered exclusively in Sport Edition format and will be limited to just 250 examples of each for 2019.

Audi told PH that the restricted volume is a result of limited global production, which perhaps suggests sales were not as high as originally expected - or that another version will succeed the present cars in 2020. Either way, it pushes the starting price of Audi’s RS5 models to £68,985 apiece – making the coupe over £4k more expensive than the old entry variant and ranking it dangerously close (£800 to be exact) to AMG’s V8-powered C63 coupe. The Sportback’s is £1.5k pricier than the C63 saloon.

However, neither AMG can claim to be a low volume model, plus Audi’s decision to upgrade the RS5s to Sport Edition spec as standard means there’s plenty of kit to tempt you away from Affalterbach. There are 20-inch anthracite alloy wheels, tinted glass and black trim for the grille, window and door mirror surrounds - differentiating the model from the launch car - and the more vocal Audi Sport exhaust system is included for a matching soundtrack.

Inside, you get Nappa leather and Alcantara trimmings, with contrasting diamond stitching on the RS Super Sports seats that are also exclusive to the Sport Edition trim, piano black trim and a panoramic glass sunroof. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit with Apple Carplay and Android Auto are both present and correct, alongside its top-spec satellite navigation and LTE internet technology, hill hold assist and Audi’s Parking System Plus. Now, with the Sportback’s arrival, the RS5 also offers storage space for up to 480 litres of luggage with the three-part rear bench up or, with it folded down, up to 1,300 litres.

Fans of Audi Sport’s effortlessly quick M4 rival will be pleased to hear that none of the technical makeup has been changed. The turbocharged 2.9-litre engine retains its peak 450hp output alongside a maximum 443lb ft torque figure, with up to 60 per cent sent to the rear wheels via clutch-based Quattro hardware. All cars get an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox and active limited-slip differential, as before. Tempted? With only 500 cars due, we wouldn’t hang about.

[Gio G]

Well the RS5 and RS4 returns to the Audi configurator for building, however cannot see Sportback. These current models have been absent since October last year in the UK, so not quite sure why the comments around it not selling well, as you couldn't order one for the last 6 months if you wanted one! Standard spec has gone up, along with the price..

G

[Gio G]

Shiv_P said:

The V6 is just a bit muted, inside they sound pretty good - better than F8x M3/M4

I do agree, but more importantly I really like how it sounds. Also at my age, I don't need those attention seeking pops+bangs. After all the RS5 is meant to be a comfortable fast GT car, which I believe it does very well at executing.. RS4, the same, just with a bigger boot

G

Edited by Gio G on Monday 10th June 19:45

[Gio G]

B17NNS said:

You can blame WLTP for that. Can't help thinking that manufacturers are taking advantage of it though by bundling tat you don't want or need with stuff you do.

I think you raise a great point. WLTP is just limiting options now for the manufacturers. I suspect there are drivers that didn't want the 20" alloys and preferred 19" for a better ride and many people do not want a panoramic sunroof.. Audi probably now only now need one variant of the car to test for WLTP, rather than lots of different permutations of all of extras.. Sad as the consumer loses out for choice..

G

[Gio G]

TomScrut said:

I do think it's a shame they made the black pack compulsory though, I always preferred the aluminium trims to the glossy black plastic.

Anyway I won't be buying one regardless unless I win the lottery so maybe I aren't the target audience!

I think black styling pack is a must on some of the colours, as the aluminium does not look quite right and actually makes the front of the car look very different.. It looks like they have also included black badges for back and rear..

G