Audi has officially launched the 2017 RS5 Coupe in Europe, which now gets a new twin-turbo V6 that’s been co-developed with Porsche.
The second generation of the RS5 is, according to Audi, the gran turismo model in their RS lineup, combining high everyday usability with an elegant, yet powerful presence.
The bodywork features a much wider and flatter front grille from the base models, additional air intakes next to the headlights and Audi 90 Quattro IMSA GTO-inspired fenders that are wider by 15mm (0.6 inches). As standard, the new RS5 Coupe comes with 19-inch wheels, with 20-inch alloys available as optional extras.
Under the bonnet lies an all-new twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 which develops 450PS (444hp) and 600Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque, which is 170Nm (125.4 lb-ft) more than the previous model and available from just 1,900rpm. Zero to 62mph (100 km/h) takes place in 3.9 seconds, with the top speed limited to 250km/h (155mph) as standard, and 280km/h (174mph) if you tick the RS dynamic package in the options list.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is responsible for transferring the power to all four wheels, with the Quattro system featuring a central self-locking differential – though a rear sport differential is also offered as an option.
The chassis now gets a revised five-link setup on the front axle and a new five-link setup at the rear, in place of the trapezoidal-link suspension used on the previous model. When fitted with the standard RS sport suspension, the new RS5 sits 7 mm (0.27 in) lower than the base model, with Audi Sport also offering an RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), ceramic brakes and dynamic steering with RS-specific tuning as an option.
The first examples of the new Audi RS5 will hit dealerships in Germany and other European countries this month, with prices starting from €80,900.
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