Audi RS5 Ditches V8, Goes Turbo

The brute coupe of Audi’s lineup has been given a revamp. The 2018 Audi RS5 was revealed today at the Geneva Motor Show, sporting a new look and a new engine. Despite the smaller displacement, the better-looking, faster and more advanced RS5 should delay folks.

Audi is in the process of evolving its RS design language, something readily apparent with the new RS5. It’s certainly not a dramatic departure from the brand’s core design theme, which has been largely unchanged for like two decades, but hey it works.

Nonetheless, the RS5 is slightly more aggressive than previous versions. The headlights and grille are bigger, but so to are the angles. The car has a more muscular stance aided by carbon fiber accents that benefit aerodynamics. The overall look is different and at first glance, it is a good different.

What’s also different with the new RS5 is what’s resting under the hood. Audi has thrown out the V-8 engine in favor of a 2.9-liter biturbo V-6. If that sounds familiar it is because it’s the same engine found in the Porsche Panamera, only the Audi gets a power boost to 444 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque that’s on tap from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. For those disappointed by less displacement, that’s a 125 horsepower increase over the old V-8 version.

The power will be sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic. During normal conditions Audi Quattro all-wheel-drive will be sending about 60 percent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels and adjust accordingly during various conditions.

Not only has Audi provided more power to the RS5, but they’ve lightened it up a bit too. With the use of a carbon fiber hood and shedding the V-8, the car is about 130 pounds lighter than the old one. More power and less mass means a faster RS5, with a reported 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds.

There’s no major changes to the car’s five-link front and rear suspension, but it is retuned and rides .8-inches lower than the A5 coupe. The adaptive suspension is controlled by more aggressive Dynamic Ride Control, while carbon-ceramic brakes are found at all four corners.

Inside Audi has upgraded a few elements to provide the RS look. Additionally Audi’s Virtual Cockpit system has been enhanced with more performance oriented displays, such as g-force readouts and other nerdy statistics.

The new RS5 is slated to roll out later this year.