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

[Levi68]

^ Chalk up another positive review for the RS5...........what's the count at now.

What is special about that? The M3 E9x when it came out also had only very positive reviews.

 

[MikeJ]

What is special about that? The M3 E9x when it came out also had only very positive reviews.

This thread is not about the M3. There's no need to bring up BMW in every thread. I strongly suggest that you stop doing it. Thanks.

 

[Levi68]

This thread is not about the M3. There's no need to bring up BMW in every thread. I strongly suggest that you stop doing it. Thanks.

I will. But others have t ostop bringing up Audi in BMW threads.

 

[footie]

This thread is not about the M3. There's no need to bring up BMW in every thread. I strongly suggest that you stop doing it. Thanks.

I do understand what you mean here but on this occasion I think it was a welcome addition to the discussion.

What is special about that? The M3 E9x when it came out also had only very positive reviews.

Actually the M3 didn't win over the press as well as you think, at the start many questioned whether it was any better than the RS4 and on a few occasions it came second to it, how or why that happened I will never know as I reckon the M3 to be superior. In any case the M3 eventually won universal praise and is regarded at the best version in quite some time.

As for the RS5, well there has been a couple of negative reviews but as all these 'first drive' tests haven't had the benefit of the competition to properly compare with I think it's best to keep an open mind and see what the future brings.

I have faith in the outcome.

 

[Levi68]

As for the RS5, well there has been a couple of negative reviews but as all these 'first drive' tests haven't had the benefit of the competition to properly compare with I think it's best to keep an open mind and see what the future brings.

I have faith in the outcome.

Sure, nevertheless the RS5 would be 10 times better with 4.0 TFSI V8 than with 4.2 FSI V8. That is fact (even without any facts).

 

[braaf]

This thread is not about the M3. There's no need to bring up BMW in every thread. I strongly suggest that you stop doing it. Thanks.

Are you serious. The day the RS5 was released it was always gonna be about the M3 vs RS5.

 

[Iamnotme]

Sure, nevertheless the RS5 would be 10 times better with 4.0 TFSI V8 than with 4.2 FSI V8. That is fact (even without any facts).

Faster in straight line, yes.

Better? It depends on each one's prespective.

The additional weight of a FI system onto the V8 ( at least 20 kgs more) would make the car a bit more front heavy, compromising the car's handling.

 

[MikeJ]

Are you serious. The day the RS5 was released it was always gonna be about the M3 vs RS5.

If you wish to discuss the RS5 vs the M3, feel free do so in the Internal Combustion section of this forum. This thread is not the place for it.

 

[Levi68]

Faster in straight line, yes.

Better? It depends on each one's prespective.

The additional weight of a FI system onto the V8 ( at least 20 kgs more) would make the car a bit more front heavy, compromising the car's handling.

The RS5 is already nose heavy. Anyway it would not compromise the car's handling as it has AWD. And if you want handling then get the M3. Man, you can't have both in one, either one or an other, or both RS5 and M3.

 

[footie]

The RS5 is already nose heavy. Anyway it would not compromise the car's handling as it has AWD. And if you want handling then get the M3. Man, you can't have both in one, either one or an other, or both RS5 and M3.

And how nose heavy is the RS5? Anyone care to guess.

Plus how can you make such a claim that it's handling will be worse than the M3, I think you will find when the numbers are crunched that it will be the RS5 that will corner harder, stick longer and ultimately lap the quicker, if true then surely it will be the better handling car. What you are talking about is a preference for rwd which I have nothing against.

 

[Levi68]

And how nose heavy is the RS5? Anyone care to guess.

Plus how can you make such a claim that it's handling will be worse than the M3, I think you will find when the numbers are crunched that it will be the RS5 that will corner harder, stick longer and ultimately lap the quicker, if true then surely it will be the better handling car. What you are talking about is a preference for rwd which I have nothing against.

No, I am saying that if the RS5 had 20 kg more in front because of biturbos (4.0 TFSI V8 instead of 4.2 FSI V8), it would not be more front heavy and so it would not handle worse.

 

[Iamnotme]

According to Motor-talk.de, Auto Motor und Sport rated the RS5 with 5 stars (out of 5) with the only negative points being the frequent gear changes in Drive mode and the steering, wich could have a bit more more feel.

Performance measured:

0-100 km/h - 4,5 sec
0-200 Km/h - 16,1 sec

 

[DOMINUS]

According to Motor-talk.de, Auto Motor und Sport rated the RS5 with 5 stars (out of 5) with the only negative points being the frequent gear changes in Drive mode and the steering, wich could have a bit more more feel.

Performance measured:

0-100 km/h - 4,5 sec
0-200 Km/h - 16,1 sec

This is good to know. Seems like the same thing is happening here. At first we'll get some reviews that are less than stellar and as more and more people start getting familiar with the car it will take a turn for the better
I really think the M3 is in trouble. I love competition.

 

[Levi68]

No, the M3 is not in trouble. It could have been if the RS5 was FI and not NA. The RS5 is relatively close to M3 and only slightly better, what is nothing special if Audi claims to be premium.

 

[DOMINUS]

No, the M3 is not in trouble. It could have been if the RS5 was FI and not NA. The RS5 is relatively close to M3 and only slightly better, what is nothing special if Audi claims to be premium.

Levi68 the point is that in the past BMW enjoyed total supremacy when it came to performance in it's class. Over the years the other car makers have watched and learned and are now implementing what BMW has taught them over the years. Now the students are about to school the teacher so to speak. I don't think forced induction would've made any difference in where the RS5 would fit in this segment. If Audi decided on giving the RS5 a 450hp engine blown or naturally aspirated would be more or less the same scenario. It still has to pull 3900lbs (1800kg). Hell we would probably be complaining about turbo lag on top of the other complaints presented by a few journalists. One could argue that a turbocharged engine will have more torque but it won't be a significant increase in performance. Where the M3 always shines is in driver involvement and fun. And that gap is closing with each passing year.

Bimmers used to be lightweight but are now packing on the pounds. Mercedes and Audi's have been making "heavier" cars for longer than BMW has and are probably better at making a heavy car handle good if that is an accolade that one could appreciate. Cars in general need to lose weight.

 

[Sunny]

Levi68 the point is that in the past BMW enjoyed total supremacy when it came to performance in it's class.

Not really Dom, I think the B7 RS4 enjoyed a bigger advantage over E46 M3 than the RS5 will over E92 M3. And if the 0-200 time of 16.1 sec is true, there goes any straight line advantage the RS cars usually have over M3 of same gen, in fact it is probably even a little slower then the M3. And at least going by these early reviews, it sounds like B7 RS4 was even closer to M3 in the fun department especially steering compared to RS5 vs E92 M3.

 

[DOMINUS]

Not really Dom, I think the B7 RS4 enjoyed a bigger advantage over E46 M3 than the RS5 will over E92 M3. And if the 0-200 time of 16.1 sec is true, there goes any straight line advantage the RS cars usually have over M3 of same gen, in fact it is probably even a little slower then the M3. And at least going by these early reviews, it sounds like B7 RS4 was even closer to M3 in the fun department especially steering compared to RS5 vs E92 M3.

I see your point Sunny. I just think that because the B7 RS4 came at the end of the E46 M3's run it really wasn't the competition for that M3 anymore. The S4 used to be the direct competition for M3's but the RS4 and the 335i changed that. The M's moved into a different class to compete with the RS and the 335 and S are now direct competitors. Factually I may be wrong and also timeline-wise I may be wrong but in my head the B7 RS4 and E9X M3 are rivals. Not the E46.

 

[Iamnotme]

Turbo.fr's test of the Audi RS5

For those who don't understand french:

Positive points:

- Very sporty car
- Sweet engine
- Precision of the chassis

Negative points:

- The price
- Max velocity limited to 250 km/h
- No manual gearbox

Scores:

Design - 18/20
Interior space/modularity - 13/20
Confort - 17/20
Driving - 19/20
Value for money - 13/20
Overall - 16/20

I'll try to translate the entire test when I find the time.

Btw, lots of nice pictures in the gallery.

 

[footie]

There are though that will love this car, there are those that will hate it on pure principle and there are those that will view this as simply another exceptional car in this sector of the market regardless of badge, drivetrain or anything else.

 

[DOMINUS]

There are though that will love this car, there are those that will hate it on pure principle and there are those that will view this as simply another exceptional car in this sector of the market regardless of badge, drivetrain or anything else.

I'll be one of those that will love it. I don't go
to the track and if it is anything like my M I'll be happy. The AWD is a welcome here in NY.