A5/S5/RS5 Audi RS5 - First Drives and Driving Impressions (Autocar, Edmunds,…)

[footie]

footie: I think there is bogging down.

and thanks, but I'd rather a massive wheelspin till 2nd gear

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Wheelspin is a hoot, no doubt but I prefer the controlled launch of the RS5 myself.

P.S.
There was definitely no bogging down in that video.

 

[DOMINUS]

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In this video you will see launch control being used and it works properly, no bogging down, the car briefly spins and then rockets to the distance. Also you'll see it under full acceleration and reaches 275km/h, if you wish you can compare it's rate of acceleration to that of an M3 M-DCT because for those who reckon it's awd system and tall gearing will dull it's upper limits of acceleration and thus prove to be slower than an M3 will be rather surprised then.

Hey Footie I happen to think that launch for launch the RS5 will beat the M3 assuming both cars are launch correctly. On a roll it would be closer but I think the RS5 will win again. In the video posted below of the M3's launch that 1st and 2nd gear wheelspin is good for "permagrin" and fun but not for fast times or winning races. We are getting closer and closer now. More videos are surfacing. Just a little longer.

 

[footie]

Hey Footie I happen to think that launch for launch the RS5 will beat the M3 assuming both cars are launch correctly. On a roll it would be closer but I think the RS5 will win again. In the video posted below of the M3's launch that 1st and 2nd gear wheelspin is good for "permagrin" and fun but not for fast times or winning races. We are getting closer and closer now. More videos are surfacing. Just a little longer.

You are correct, when both launch together the superior traction of the RS5 will probably pull out a couple of lengths to 60mph but from a roll (if the video I viewed is typical of the M3 M-DCT) the two are all but evenly matched, right from 160km/h right up to 270km/h. Admittedly we are seeing only the rev counter/speedo in both cases and either one could have been going up or down hill at the time.

 

[MoSs]

It takes almost 30 seconds from 160 to 275? Allot dont u think?

 

[footie]

It takes almost 30 seconds from 160 to 275? Allot dont u think?

Give or that 1 second this is identical to an M-DCT M3. Check out for yourself, I know I did and between 160km/h and 270km/h there is nothing in it.

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[Audi69]

Wheel spin is inefficient. AWD launch of the RS5 great to watch. How nice does
RS5 sound!!

 

[DOMINUS]

You are correct, when both launch together the superior traction of the RS5 will probably pull out a couple of lengths to 60mph but from a roll (if the video I viewed is typical of the M3 M-DCT) the two are all but evenly matched, right from 160km/h right up to 270km/h. Admittedly we are seeing only the rev counter/speedo in both cases and either one could have been going up or down hill at the time.

M's are deceptively fast at speeds above 100mph. I remember seeing videos with the E46 M3 vs the B5 S4 and the only lead the S4 got was the initial take off (from a roll I'm speaking of) and it was quickly over after that. These Audi's of late have been doing their homework and it would be interesting to see how it plays out. I wonder if the added frictional loss because of the AWD would affect it much if at all?

 

[footie]

M's are deceptively fast at speeds above 100mph. I remember seeing videos with the E46 M3 vs the B5 S4 and the only lead the S4 got was the initial take off (from a roll I'm speaking of) and it was quickly over after that. These Audi's of late have been doing their homework and it would be interesting to see how it plays out. I wonder if the added frictional loss because of the AWD would affect it much if at all?

The B5 S4 only made about 265hp compared to the M3's 343hp, so no wonder it was overhauled relatively quickly.

Some people make a big thing about the added friction of awd but it's nowhere near as extreme as they make out, and anyhow the latest quattro systems are deceptively efficient, especially the version utilised in the RS5 which will be adopted in future quattros version in next versions.

 

[DOMINUS]

The B5 S4 only made about 265hp compared to the M3's 343hp, so no wonder it was overhauled relatively quickly.

Some people make a big thing about the added friction of awd but it's nowhere near as extreme as they make out, and anyhow the latest quattro systems are deceptively efficient, especially the version utilised in the RS5 which will be adopted in future quattros version in next versions.

Ok well it might have been the B7 S4 then. The one that had 340hp compared to the M's 333hp in the US. Well there's always a tradeoff when designing anything. AWD provides superior traction and grip compared to RWD/FWD but tends to understeer. RWD/FWD also have their drawbacks as well. We all pretty much know these already. The higher up the performance ladder you go, the more pronounced these drawbacks become when compared to the competition and everything has to gel together the right way to have a superior product. With cars so closely matched, that frictional loss can be the deciding factor in a race.

If the RS5 with more power and torque (and weight ) loses to the M3 on a roll what would be the most likely factor you think? Weight although an issue won't be much of an issue when they are moving. Aerodynamics and horsepower become the major players then I think. And also how well the car can put that power to the ground.

 

[Sunny]

It is not just extra friction with AWD systems that hampers AWD cars, the additional rotational mass associated with AWD systems makes it worse.

 

[martinbo]

^ Yup Sunny, how many times have we had this discussion in the last 5-10 years? AWD is great but like anything good there has to be some penalty, some compromise. AWD's penalty is that the faster you go, the less efficient it becomes when compared to 2WD systems.

 

[DOMINUS]

Thanks Sunny and Martinbo. That's what I was trying to say.

 

[footie]

No one is denying that awd has more lose than rwd or fwd, only that it might not be as bad as some people suggest it to be.

 

[DOMINUS]

No one is denying that awd has more lose than rwd or fwd, only that it might not be as bad as some people suggest it to be.

I hear you. My point too is that at this level of performance, any little inherent drawback can mean the difference in a race especially cars that are as closely matched as these 4.

 

[footie]

I hear you. My point too is that at this level of performance, any little inherent drawback can mean the difference in a race especially cars that are as closely matched as these 4.

Quite right, at this level of performance each of these cars bring something different to the table, if the RS5 is quicker on exiting the corner then the lighter M3 might well be quicker on entry, it's swings and roundabouts.

The same thing will apply to a race, the RS5 will gain at the start due to traction but will suffer at higher speeds, the difficult question is whether the M3 can regain the distance lost at the start. In the case of the 335i vs S4 the BMW never recovered the distance lost and only when properly tested will it be know if the same thing will be repeated.

 

[DOMINUS]

I am also interested in the price of this car. I am definitely sure that my next car will be AWD. But if one can get a 911 Turbo in the same ballpark as the RS5 that's also something to consider.

 

[footie]

I am also interested in the price of this car. I am definitely sure that my next car will be AWD. But if one can get a 911 Turbo in the same ballpark as the RS5 that's also something to consider.

Dominus, you don't state where you are from. Anyway, let's assume that regardless of country the RS5 does end up competitive to the M3, surely if that is the case a car the caliber of the 911turbo will far exceed that, unless you are considering secondhand.

So if a used Porsche then what age were you considering?

 

[Sunny]

^ Yup Sunny, how many times have we had this discussion in the last 5-10 years? AWD is great but like anything good there has to be some penalty, some compromise. AWD's penalty is that the faster you go, the less efficient it becomes when compared to 2WD systems.

Damn Martin, you just made me realize how long I been on here.

I am also interested in the price of this car. I am definitely sure that my next car will be AWD. But if one can get a 911 Turbo in the same ballpark as the RS5 that's also something to consider.

You should consider GTR, turbo performance for RS5 price. And it is supposed to be even fun to drive. Yea, you don't get a euro brand name, but if you don't care about that kinda of stuff.

 

[Mr Robert]

I would have considered a GTR over an RS5 had it not been for tje reliability issues. They are about the same here, GTR being a bit dearer, about the same as the difference between the RS5 and the M3; 5-ish grand euro (bare RS5 in both cases).

 

[footie]

I would have considered a GTR over an RS5 had it not been for tje reliability issues. They are about the same here, GTR being a bit dearer, about the same as the difference between the RS5 and the M3; 5-ish grand euro (bare RS5 in both cases).

Maybe you have had a longer run in the GTR than I did but my impression on that brief time was of something quite extreme. Extreme performance, extreme responsiveness from the engine and a very extreme ride quality. Maybe if I were twenty years younger I could live with these qualities but as I am now I think I would much prefer the M3, RS5 or 911 turbo.