All-new Audi RS 5 Coupé debuts, 2.9L twin-turbo V6, 444 hp & 600 Nm!



Audi’s cornerstone RS model, the 2017 Audi RS 5 Coupé has just made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The second-generation high performance coupé brings a holistic set of upgrades, including the star of the show – a brand new 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6.

Yes, the engine is rather puny compared to the burbling 4.2-litre V8 from before, but it packs a hell of a punch and is much quicker off the line, thanks to the massive weight reduction – 60kg to be exact. The new 2.9-litre petrol V6 produces 444 hp and 600 Nm of torque, with the latter peaking from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. That’s a lot of power for quite a lot of time, all of which is enough to send the RS 5 to the 100km/h mark from standstill in 3.9 seconds. That’s over 0.5 seconds quicker than before!

To generate that much power, two huge turbos have been employed. The drawback to this is the turbines take a longer time to spool (a.k.a turbo lag), but what Audi has done to negate this is by positioning the turbos between the cylinder bank, short-routing air from the intake to the combustion chambers. That’s sorted, then. But it’s not going to sound as glorious as the V8 now, is it?

Apparently, Audi says the new engine produces an unmistakably “full-bodied” RS soundtrack, much the same as the RS 4 B5’s 2.7-litre V6. The RS 5 has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h, but as usual this can be increased to 280km/h for a small fee. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive is standard issue, and a rear sport differential can be had as an option.

Power is channelled to all four corners through an eight-speed Tiptronic that’s specifically tuned for the RS 5, with a 40:60 split distribution. Both front and rear get a five-link RS suspension, greatly improving comfort and its dynamic properties. This lowers the car as well.

Optional extras include ceramic disc brakes, RS-specific dynamic steering, RS sports suspension with Dynamic Ride Control and a long list of genuine accessories. Inside, the Audi virtual cockpit gets a special RS display, providing additional data such as tyre pressure, torque and g-forces. Red accents are tastefully littered around the cabin, whereas Alcantara is used for the steering wheel, selector lever and knee pads.

Don’t fancy the psychedelic red paintwork? Well, Audi Sport has a special colour that’s exclusive to the RS 5 Coupé, and it’s called the Sonoma Green Metallic.

Please bring this here, Audi Malaysia. I know you’re reading this!


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