Audi RS5

Cobra · 10-11-2016, 04:00 PM

Hi guys,

So, my RS3 drive fell through. However, I did manage to get behind the wheel of an RS5. With any luck I'll get another opportunity in an RS3 soon.

As for the RS5 - I'll do a proper write-up review when I get home tonight.

Cheers

Cobra · 10-11-2016, 10:11 PM

G'day all.

So, as mentioned above I had a fang of an Audi RS5 MY2014 today. What a fantastic car! Although I could have said that earlier, as I've driven one before today! But, as has been customary for me as of late, I thought I'd do a review.

INTERIOR:

What a neat and tidy interior this thing has. It's very functional (I'm a big fan of Audis in general) and the fit and finish is high quality.

The seats are very comfortable and supportive, the stereo sounds great and the Sat Nav is the best one I've seen from any vehicle. In fact, Audi's MMI is simply the duck's nuts in my opinion.

The steering wheel is a fantastic perforated unit that's very chunky and has a great feel. Think the optional sports steering wheel on B-Series and you're close!

Everything from the seating position to all the electrics seems to work well. It's apparent straight away just how high the Falcon's seating position is after driving one of these cars.

I tend to naturally drive with one hand; my right elbow resting on the door trim with the window open and my left hand on the shifter. It felt strange, but not in a good or bad way that when driving this way, my elbow seemed to be more in line with my chin than with my pec when in a Falcon.

8.5/10

ENGINE:

All I can say is "wow". This engine is an absolute gem! What a beauty she is! In a nutshell it is torquey, punchy, revs out freely and sounds AMAZING! But I shall elaborate further...

As I pressed the starter button for the first time and fired up this small capacity, N/A German V8, I was reminded of a sad reality that engines like these are an endangered species.

Turbo sixes may be quicker, but they'll never have the character of this donk. So, I was savouring every moment of its aural pleasure as I may not have the chance again any time soon.

Before taking off from the city to head out to the hills I toggled through the drive modes. When I chose the Dynamic mode, the valves (or were they amplifiers?) opened up to unleash a gutteral rumble at idle. A quick blip of the throttle turned that into a roar!

I took off and quickly changed back to the Normal mode as Dynamic mode isn't practical in every day driving (I'll cover that part a bit later). Even on normal mode, that note was something else.

What's really something to marvel about though, is just how punchy and responsive the motor is. Stab the throttle and off it goes! It's no shade of the F-Type R, but at the same time it seems to defy its heft.

As I hit the Freeway I accelerated to the speed limit, foot flat to the floor, from a rolling start of about 20km/h. I was seriously impressed with how this thing revved out to its 8,000+ RPM redline.

Compared to the Lexus RCF which I drove a few months back, this thing felt comfortably quicker from the seat-of-the-pants perspective. As two similarly comparable vehicles go, at this stage the RS5's engine comfortably trumps the Lexus' 5.0L unit.

When I hit the twisties and gave it some curry, Dynamic mode 'on' and window open, the sounds, the ferocious speed in which this thing built up revs, and that deliciously creamy sound of throttle-blipping on downshifts (especially when it echoes through rock walls) makes this one of the most fantastic engines I've ever piloted.

9.5/10

Dynamics:

I'll just rewind back to the point in which I left the city, when I first hit that Dynamic button. As opposed.to other vehicles which have sports modes, Audi's Dynamic mode seems the most noticable of any.

Straight away I notcied the steering feel go almost completely stiff, as though the EPAS system had some wiring go 'open circuit'. The 7 Speed's propensity to almost never want to change meant that for a lot of the time through 60km/h arterial roads, one would potentially hover around the 4-5K rev range driving in auto mode.

For every day driving, Dynamic mode is not what you'd choose. I was happy to go with normal until I'd reached my favourite driving spot in the Adelaide Hills - Eagle on the Hill. I exited the Freeway and hit Dynamic just before entering Devil's Elbow.

I had a spirited punt through some of Adelaide's most scenic roads in its expansive hills, working the 6/4 pot brakes. The brakes pull this beast up time and again and didn't seem to fade or lose any progressiveness in its pedal feel.

The trans is an absolute gem with lighting quick changes and it's a joy to toggle through the gears via the paddles.

The handling of this thing is, for its considerable heft, simply astonishing. It feels so planted on the road, never disturbed when hitting small corrugations at high speeds. Being AWD there was that concern that it would understeer, and it did - ever so slightly.

With Stability Control off and Dynamic mode on, I tested out the launch control function. Let's judt say that it works a treat and that 4,000rpm launches with an AWD V8 is definitely a moment meant to be savoured.

9/10

VERDICT:

As far as enjoyment in cars go, this one very much falls under such categories. Everything about it is designed well, designed for the driver's enjoyment in mind and with enough functions and features to ensure the novelty doesn't wear off for some time.

This vehicle really is one which you could comfortably drive around as a daily, yet be left more than satisfied if you chose to use it in any amateur motorsport recreational activity. It really is an awesome all-rounder and one in which I was very sad to have had to hand the keys back from.

9/10

P.S. I'll add a couple more pics I got tomorrow.

jimt3te50 · 10-11-2016, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra

G'day all.

So, as mentioned above I had a fang of an Audi RS5 MY2014 today. What a fantastic car! Although I could have said that earlier, as I've driven one before today! But, as has been customary for me as of late, I thought I'd do a review.

INTERIOR:

What a neat and tidy interior this thing has. It's very functional (I'm a big fan of Audis in general) and the fit and finish is high quality.

The seats are very comfortable and supportive, the stereo sounds great and the Sat Nav is the best one I've seen from any vehicle. In fact, Audi's MMI is simply the duck's nuts in my opinion.

The steering wheel is a fantastic perforated unit that's very chunky and has a great feel. Think the optional sports steering wheel on B-Series and you're close!

Everything from the seating position to all the electrics seems to work well. It's apparent straight away just how high the Falcon's seating position is after driving one of these cars.

I tend to naturally drive with one hand; my right elbow resting on the door trim with the window open and my left hand on the shifter. It felt strange, but not in a good or bad way that when driving this way, my elbow seemed to be more in line with my chin than with my pec when in a Falcon.

8.5/10

ENGINE:

All I can say is "wow". This engine is an absolute gem! What a beauty she is! In a nutshell it is torquey, punchy, revs out freely and sounds AMAZING! But I shall elaborate further...

As I pressed the starter button for the first time and fired up this small capacity, N/A German V8, I was reminded of a sad reality that engines like these are an endangered species.

Turbo sixes may be quicker, but they'll never have the character of this donk. So, I was savouring every moment of its aural pleasure as I may not have the chance again any time soon.

Before taking off from the city to head out to the hills I toggled through the drive modes. When I chose the Dynamic mode, the valves (or were they amplifiers?) opened up to unleash a gutteral rumble at idle. A quick blip of the throttle turned that into a roar!

I took off and quickly changed back to the Normal mode as Dynamic mode isn't practical in every day driving (I'll cover that part a bit later). Even on normal mode, that note was something else.

What's really something to marvel about though, is just how punchy and responsive the motor is. Stab the throttle and off it goes! It's no shade of the F-Type R, but at the same time it seems to defy its heft.

As I hit the Freeway I accelerated to the speed limit, foot flat to the floor, from a rolling start of about 20km/h. I was seriously impressed with how this thing revved out to its 8,000+ RPM redline.

Compared to the Lexus RCF which I drove a few months back, this thing felt comfortably quicker from the seat-of-the-pants perspective. As two similarly comparable vehicles go, at this stage the RS5's engine comfortably trumps the Lexus' 5.0L unit.

When I hit the twisties and gave it some curry, Dynamic mode 'on' and window open, the sounds, the ferocious speed in which this thing built up revs, and that deliciously creamy sound of throttle-blipping on downshifts (especially when it echoes through rock walls) makes this one of the most fantastic engines I've ever piloted.

9.5/10

Dynamics:

I'll just rewind back to the point in which I left the city, when I first hit that Dynamic button. As opposed.to other vehicles which have sports modes, Audi's Dynamic mode seems the most noticable of any.

Straight away I notcied the steering feel go almost completely stiff, as though the EPAS system had some wiring go 'open circuit'. The 7 Speed's propensity to almost never want to change meant that for a lot of the time through 60km/h arterial roads, one would potentially hover around the 4-5K rev range driving in auto mode.

For every day driving, Dynamic mode is not what you'd choose. I was happy to go with normal until I'd reached my favourite driving spot in the Adelaide Hills - Eagle on the Hill. I exited the Freeway and hit Dynamic just before entering Devil's Elbow.

I had a spirited punt through some of Adelaide's most scenic roads in its expansive hills, working the 6/4 pot brakes. The brakes pull this beast up time and again and didn't seem to fade or lose any progressiveness in its pedal feel.

The trans is an absolute gem with lighting quick changes and it's a joy to toggle through the gears via the paddles.

The handling of this thing is, for its considerable heft, simply astonishing. It feels so planted on the road, never disturbed when hitting small corrugations at high speeds. Being AWD there was that concern that it would understeer, and it did - ever so slightly.

With Stability Control off and Dynamic mode on, I tested out the launch control function. Let's judt say that it works a treat and that 4,000rpm launches with an AWD V8 is definitely a moment meant to be savoured.

9/10

VERDICT:

As far as enjoyment in cars go, this one very much falls under such categories. Everything about it is designed well, designed for the driver's enjoyment in mind and with enough functions and features to ensure the novelty doesn't wear off for some time.

This vehicle really is one which you could comfortably drive around as a daily, yet be left more than satisfied if you chose to use it in any amateur motorsport recreational activity. It really is an awesome all-rounder and one in which I was very sad to have had to hand the keys back from.

9/10

P.S. I'll add a couple more pics I got tomorrow.

Nice review man, the coming RS3 sedan looks to become very popular too, I reckon. I'm still awed that an XR6 Sprint was quicker round Baskerville than the RS3.

I too, am an Audi fan, I've driven one as well and was suitably impressed.

The RS5 feels scalpel sharp and sounds sublime, I agree. Audi just make awesome cars, they're just a bit to "polished" for me personally, I like my cars a bit rough around the edges. Sounds funny I guess, but it's what I like.

Again, awesome review bud

Stefan · 11-11-2016, 06:33 AM

Want...

Pedro · 11-11-2016, 07:48 AM

Thanks again Cobra for another great write up.

Just one thing though - your comment " It's apparent straight away just how high the Falcon's seating position is after driving one of these cars".

Seems like every motoring writer makes a similar comment yet I've never understood why as I find no problem with the Falcon seating position either during normal driving or high speed sprints on race tracks.

Now, having recently spent quite a bit of time behind the wheel of my friend's Audi A7 I can understand this stance as the seating position is indeed lower. BUT, this is at the expense of ingress and exit. While you ease out of a Falcon - you extricate yourself from the A7. All very well if you're young and fit but a bit of a problem as you get on a bit.

So conversely, in a detrimental context, one could say " It's apparent straight away just how low the Audi's seating position is after driving a Falcon".

bernbo · 11-11-2016, 08:25 AM

The seats aren't higher in the falcon, the window ledge is lower. Better for visibility I reckon.

Cobra · 11-11-2016, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bernbo

The seats aren't higher in the falcon, the window ledge is lower. Better for visibility I reckon.

As Pedro said, you definitely sit lower in an Audi than a Falcon. Being in my early thirties I'm still a spring chicken, so maybe it'll become more apparent as a problem when I'm an old fella like Pedro. My observation will turn to a gripe.

Cobra · 11-11-2016, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedro

Thanks again Cobra for another great write up.

Just one thing though - your comment " It's apparent straight away just how high the Falcon's seating position is after driving one of these cars".

Seems like every motoring writer makes a similar comment yet I've never understood why as I find no problem with the Falcon seating position either during normal driving or high speed sprints on race tracks.

Now, having recently spent quite a bit of time behind the wheel of my friend's Audi A7 I can understand this stance as the seating position is indeed lower. BUT, this is at the expense of ingress and exit. While you ease out of a Falcon - you extricate yourself from the A7. All very well if you're young and fit but a bit of a problem as you get on a bit.

So conversely, in a detrimental context, one could say " It's apparent straight away just how low the Audi's seating position is after driving a Falcon".

Cheers mate. Let me make it clear that in no way was I having a shot at Falcons. I've driven them my whole life and love them to bits. I agree the Audi's seating position is low, rather than the Falcon's being high. I was just trying to put into perspective the relative differences.

Pedro · 11-11-2016, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra

Cheers mate. Let me make it clear that in no way was I having a shot at Falcons. I've driven them my whole life and love them to bits. I agree the Audi's seating position is low, rather than the Falcon's being high. I was just trying to put into perspective the relative differences.

Hey all good mate. I've had plenty of shots at Falcons where they deserve it.
Thanks again for your informative write-ups.

Cobra · 14-11-2016, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedro

Hey all good mate. I've had plenty of shots at Falcons where they deserve it.
Thanks again for your informative write-ups.

Thanks mate. I tried to upload a few more pics but I couldn't as there's a time limit set on editing posts. Oh well.

XWGT · 28-11-2016, 11:24 AM

Purchased one
Delivery time is killing me
Absolutely amazing car. And that engine........yes there are more powerful.........but at 8,250 rpm the 4.2 NA V8 is a sound I just cannot stop being in love with

Cobra · 28-11-2016, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XWGT

Purchased one
Delivery time is killing me
Absolutely amazing car. And that engine........yes there are more powerful.........but at 8,250 rpm the 4.2 NA V8 is a sound I just cannot stop being in love with

Delivery time? I didn't know they still sold them brand new. I thought that the RS4/5 engine had been discontinued? If not... awesome purchase! Amazing car - I'm jealous either way!

XWGT · 28-11-2016, 11:51 AM

lol sorry by delivery time I meant I purchased one from interstate and its going to take about a week to get here. Purchased a 2014

Yes I have held off for a long time on which vehicle to get as the final big banger. I've thought about GT's, Mustangs, some old school iron, but having already owned an A5 Cabriolet with the 500nm TDI engine I knew the car itself was excellent, but the 4.2 V8 is simply insane and the greatest sounding engine I have ever come across. Along with looking as mean as bat **** the car is just stunning.

So cannot wait to get my hands on it

Cobra · 28-11-2016, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XWGT

lol sorry by delivery time I meant I purchased one from interstate and its going to take about a week to get here. Purchased a 2014

Yes I have held off for a long time on which vehicle to get as the final big banger. I've thought about GT's, Mustangs, some old school iron, but having already owned an A5 Cabriolet with the 500nm TDI engine I knew the car itself was excellent, but the 4.2 V8 is simply insane and the greatest sounding engine I have ever come across. Along with looking as mean as bat **** the car is just stunning.

So cannot wait to get my hands on it

Cool. Like I said in my review, the thing sounded absolutely unreal in Dynamic mode. You'd never even think of upgrading the factory exhaust as it sounds so bloody good to begin with!

XWGT · 28-11-2016, 02:27 PM

Agreed
And as the 2017 model is going to e supercharged 6 I really wanted to grab one of the last truly great V8s

Cobra · 28-11-2016, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XWGT

Agreed
And as the 2017 model is going to e supercharged 6 I really wanted to grab one of the last truly great V8s

Turbocharged is my understanding. It'll be undoubtedly quicker, but certainly not as characterful.

v8snerlo · 29-11-2016, 08:55 AM

Real shame if they go to the six. I don't understand why they can't downsize (if they really need to) the motor, turbo/supercharge it and keep the V8 noise. That is one thing where I think Merc are on a winner. Keeping the V8 in the AMG models is a great thing and to all those motor companies dropping their great V8's, shame on you!!!! Long live the V8!!

XWGT · 29-11-2016, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra

Turbocharged is my understanding. It'll be undoubtedly quicker, but certainly not as characterful.

Sorry your correct its turbo charged.
The real issue is that most people expect it to share the same engine with the S5 but in a different state of tune, which of course means the S5 can be turned up to RS5 levels so why pay the extra for the RS5?

XWGT · 29-11-2016, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by v8snerlo

Real shame if they go to the six. I don't understand why they can't downsize (if they really need to) the motor, turbo/supercharge it and keep the V8 noise. That is one thing where I think Merc are on a winner. Keeping the V8 in the AMG models is a great thing and to all those motor companies dropping their great V8's, shame on you!!!! Long live the V8!!

Well its already only a 4.2 V8 so it will need some forced induction somehow, but to be honest there isnt enough room for a can of beer under the bonnet so it would be a massive engineering feat.

Its 331kw now so it may only need another 20kw or 30kw which they may be able to squeeze from the existing V8 but seems its all about fuel usage now even for the halo performance models.

Hence why I grabbed one of the last while I could

XWGT · 30-12-2016, 02:05 PM

So its has finally arrived
Bloody hell what a mind blowing car.
The noise, the speed, the grip...............last car I'll ever own I'm fairly certain

Trump · 30-12-2016, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XWGT

So its has finally arrived
Bloody hell what a mind blowing car.
The noise, the speed, the grip...............last car I'll ever own I'm fairly certain

Pics, price etc etc...

chrisandsharon · 30-12-2016, 09:53 PM

http://blog.caranddriver.com/next-au...tback-variant/

malazn mafia · 31-12-2016, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimt3te50

Nice review man, the coming RS3 sedan looks to become very popular too, I reckon. I'm still awed that an XR6 Sprint was quicker round Baskerville than the RS3.

I too, am an Audi fan, I've driven one as well and was suitably impressed.

The RS5 feels scalpel sharp and sounds sublime, I agree. Audi just make awesome cars, they're just a bit to "polished" for me personally, I like my cars a bit rough around the edges. Sounds funny I guess, but it's what I like.

Again, awesome review bud

Excellent review, and yes the Audi is admittedly a brilliant vehicle with a lot of thought put into it. But for me, nothing is more satisfying than line balling or obliterating a polished, engineered, pedigreed work of engineering (such as a Bmw, Benz, Audi) and wiping the smirk off the driver's face while piloting a mongrel, unrefined, lean, working-class muscle machine that shouldn't stand a chance. Must be the underdog in me, and why I've always been drawn to Falcons and sleeper vehicles. All the refinement, precision and engineering excellence money can buy does nothing for me.

XWGT · 31-12-2016, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Excellent review, and yes the Audi is admittedly a brilliant vehicle with a lot of thought put into it. But for me, nothing is more satisfying than line balling or obliterating a polished, engineered, pedigreed work of engineering (such as a Bmw, Benz, Audi) and wiping the smirk off the driver's face while piloting a mongrel, unrefined, lean, working-class muscle machine that shouldn't stand a chance. Must be the underdog in me, and why I've always been drawn to Falcons and sleeper vehicles. All the refinement, precision and engineering excellence money can buy does nothing for me.

That's great in a straight line but what happens when you tip it into a corner at 200kph and are still accelerating? I know what the RS5 torque vectoring diff and Quattro system does but id be a bit hazy on how the beloved falcon would treat it?

Also dont forget all those pesky German vehicles haven't been to the mod shop yet......

XWGT · 31-12-2016, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trump

Pics, price etc etc...

Panther Black with Crystal Effect Cabriolet.
6 figures
Picks of the Deathstar on the way

XWGT · 05-01-2017, 11:31 AM

A few pics not sure of the quality as they are heavily reduced