2018 Audi RS 5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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An all-new Audi A5 and S5 hit the market during 2017, as 2018 models. Midway into the 2018 model year, Audi is introducing the top-dog version of the series, the RS 5, and it’s as fierce as ever.
It starts with the exterior design, which makes the A5/S5 coupe’s athletic body even more muscular. The front fascia is dominated by three gaping grilles that function to cool the engine and giant 14.8-inch brakes. There’s a front spoiler there, too, to reduce air traveling beneath the car and to create positive downforce on the front end. The box flares at all four corners support the RS5’s wider track and lend the shape some extra definition. An aggressive diffuser and large egg-shaped exhaust tips complete the outside package. Buyers can spec a Black optic package, which comes with larger wheels and replaces the exterior brightwork, aside from the wheels, with either gloss-black or body-colored trim. Inside, the RS 5 comes with embossed sport seats, branded door sills, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a unique gear selector, and stainless-steel foot pedals.
For motivation, the RS 5 uses an all-new twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter 6-cylinder engine, which generates 444 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, the latter available between 1,900 and 5,000 rpm. The RS 5 can hit 60 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds and run to a top speed of 155 miles per hour while delivering 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. All of those numbers match or exceed those of the old RS 5. The sole transmission is an 8-speed automatic unit with paddle-shifters and a self-locking center differential. Like every great Audi, it sends power to all four wheels with a default 40/60 front/rear torque split. Up to 85 percent of power can be sent to the front axle, and up to 70 percent can be sent to the rear. As far as suspension, the RS 5 sits about a quarter of an inch lower than the S5 coupe and can be optioned with a dynamic feature that adjusts automatically during spirited driving for maximum control. On top of this, Audi offers a Dynamic plus package with carbon ceramic brakes, a carbon-fiber engine cover, additional condition readouts, and a top speed of 174 mph.
As the flagship of the line, the RS 5 comes well equipped with 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, 12-way powered, heated, and massaging front seats, leather and Alcantara upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, and color 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Options include a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument cluster, an 8.3-inch infotainment system with navigation, Nappa leather upholstery, and a 19-speaker, 755-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Safety-wise, every RS 5 gets a reversing camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Several advanced driving aids are available as well, including a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control with a traffic-crawl function, traffic sign recognition, lane change assist, and automatic high-beams. The latest RS 5 has not been crash tested, but the A5, which uses the same basic bodyshell, achieved excellent scores in all categories of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) test and was a Top Safety Pick for 2017.
The latest RS 5 is measurably improved over its predecessor, both on the track and on the road, and it holds its own against competitors. There’s no official word on an RS 5 “Sportback”, which would use the four-door-coupe body of the A5/S5 Sportback, but it may show up later. Look for the RS 5 coupe to arrive at dealerships later this year.
User reviews for 2018 Audi RS 5
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Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Remote CD changer location: in glove compartment · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 180 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 14.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: leatherette · Dash trim: carbon · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: carbon · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Interior accents: faux suede · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: grocery bag holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.30 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps · Battery: maintenance-free · Battery rating: 420 CCA
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: aluminum · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: black · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: aluminum
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: low washer fluid
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather · Upholstery accents: faux suede
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.9
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: myAudi with Audi connect · Smart device app function: vehicle location
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: with safety reverse
