With the calibre of cars launched at Geneva this year, it's perhaps no surprise that the new
Audi RS5
didn't command all that much attention. With new Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches also around, the latest fast Audi wasn't going to be star of the show.
Hang on Audi, is this real?
However it will be on the roads very soon and, as well as entering a very competitive sector of the performance car market, it should give us some idea of what to expect from the
next RS4 too
. Which we're rather excited about. They will share the 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 and are derived from the same underpinnings.
Today we have confirmation of what an RS5 will cost in the UK: £62,900 on the road, against £60,965 for an M4 Competition Package (albeit with a manual; the RS5 is eight-speed auto only) and the C63 Coupe at £63,280. And if you really cannot bear to have your performance car engine sullied by turbos, the Lexus RC F is £60,495.
This we certainly can believe
Standard equipment for the RS5 in the UK includes the Virtual Cockpit and the Sport Differential, seen in other Audi products and impressing different customers for different reasons... It will ride on 19-inch wheels from the showroom, with 20s optional. Also on the extras list are ceramic brakes, Dynamic Steering, a sports exhaust and Dynamic Ride Control suspension.
Audi is making big claims for this RS5, citing its 60kg weight advantage over the V8 car, the all-new RS sport suspension and a 3.9-second 0-62mph sprint. Will it be enough to succeed in a market featuring a rejuvenated M4 and thumping V8 AMG? Hopefully that's something we can find out sooner rather than later!