Audi RS 5 Sportback

The interiors are furnished with honeycomb pattern stitching over fine black Nappa leather. The S sports seats are served with additional facilities like electric lumbar support, centre armrest, memory function for driver-seat adjustments, heated front seats and ISOFIX child seat mounting. The Sportback can accommodate up to a total of five people with adequate rear room for children or adults on short rides. The infotainment setup consists of features like Audi virtual cockpit, MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi smartphone interface, Bang and Olufsen 3D sound system, DAB+ Digital radio, Audi phone box light and USB charging support for back seat occupants.

Apart from a Misano Red or Daytona Grey pearl paint finish the exteriors are loaded with attractive specs like anthracite black 5-arm-trapezoid design 20-inch alloy wheels, tyre pressure monitoring system, Audi Matrix LED headlights and backlights with dynamic indicators, high-beam assist, rear windscreen and rear side windows, gloss black exterior mirror housings, gloss black styling package and a panoramic glass sunroof.

The quattro all-wheel drive improves traction control and handling on wet or undesirably smooth surfaces. With the help of its self-locking centre type differential about 40 percent of the generated torque is passed on to the front axle while the rest is directed to the rear. But if the bitumen gets more adverse than normal, even up to 85 percent can be supplied to the rear. Power distribution between the back wheels can be further enhanced by the sport differential. Audi’s quattro AWD promises comfortable cornering even at high speeds.

The RS 5 Sportback strides on a V6 biturbo (twin turbo-charging) 2.9 litre engine with Audi valvelift system and direct fuel injection that allows it to reach 100 kmph from rest within a mere 3.9 seconds. It achieves a maximum torque of 600 Nm at 1,900 to 5,000 rpm and generates a maximum power output of around 450 hp at 5,700 to 6,700 rpm. The 6-cylinder petrol engine has a displacement of 2,894 cc and is mated to an automatic 8-speed tiptronic transmission system with DSP (Dynamic Shift Program) ensuring excellent starting execution and smooth shift action. It has an Unleaded 98 Octane fuel grade (EU6 emission class) and an urban fuel consumption ratio of 8.54 kmpl (13.69 kmpl - extra urban).

The standard safety attributes fitted into the 2019 Sportback include Audi pre sense city (detects pedestrians and vehicles in front), Park assist, Audi pre sense rear (monitors vehicles approaching from behind), Audi hold assist (keeps the vehicle stationary after it is brought to a stop), Adaptive cruise control along with Stop&Go technology, distance indicator (automatically maintains space from the vehicle in front) and traffic jam assist (checks for vehicles in lanes closeby), Head up display (necessary information and messages in direct field of vision of the driver), 360 degree cameras, Audi side assist and Audi active lane assist (checks for lane boundary markings).

The Audi RS 5 Sportback has an impressive report file and performs outstandingly in almost every aspect reserved for comparison. The noteworthy upsides include a high performing biturbo V6, reliable quattro AWD technology and a well designed interior. However, the car has a bit bland steering functionalities. Other than that the Sportback proves to be an excellent option for a family + sports car although the RS 4 Avant is a cheaper alternative with almost the same performance specs.