REVIEW

Ah we do love a big V8 coupe here at BOTB… Wait, what? The RS5 hasn’t got a V8 any more? What is this madness?! Well, you can thank the environment mainly as reduced emissions and increased efficiency is the driving force behind the current trend for downsizing. So out goes the 4.2 litre V8 and in comes a 2.9 litre twin turbo V6 (also seen in the new Porsche Panamera 4S). Thankfully it still produces the same 444bhp, but there’s more torque and this new RS5 is lighter than the predecessor too which means performance is brisker. 0-62mph takes just 3.9 seconds which is crazy fast and there’s a 174mph if you buy the Audi Driver’s Pack Option. Visually the RS5 really takes it up a notch over the normal A5 with flared wheelarches, an aggressive front bumper and rear diffuser flanked by the RS-standard oval exhaust pipes, with this 2020 model getting a slightly softer look to the front end in line with the RS4 but still retaining that aggression. There are lots of nice carbon fibre exterior bits you can spec at extra cost too, all adding to the aggressive look.