Audi RS5 confirmed for December Australian release

After being revealed earlier in the year at the Geneva Motor Show, the new Audi RS5 Coupe will launch in Australia in December priced from $156,600 plus on-road costs – $626 less than the last model despite obvious gains in performance, efficiency and standard equipment.

The new generation of Audi RS5 launches with a new 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6, which produces 331kW of power and 600Nm of torque – almost identical figures to the $165,900 BMW M4 Competition, with an identical power figure and 50Nm more torque.

Sitting on the Volkswagen Group’s new MLB evo platform, the new RS5 is some 60kg lighter than the previous model. Replacing the old RS5’s 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 is a new 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6 used in the Porsche Panamera, which produces 331kW of power and a full 600Nm of torque – 170Nm more than the last RS5 and available between 1,900rpm and 5,500rpm.

The RS5 drives through an eight-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox and Audi’s famous quattro all-wheel drive system. Audi claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 3.9 seconds, with fuel consumption claimed as 8.8L/100km with emissions of 199g/km – a supposed efficiency gain of 16 percent compared with the last model.

In Australia, the RS5 will be offered with a high standard equipment list, including 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, gloss black exterior styling treatments, Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, Audi Connect, DAB+ digital radio, a Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, a panoramic glass sunroof, privacy glass, red brake calipers and the availability of Sonoma Green metallic paint, which is a paint finish exclusive to the RS5.

In addition, a suite of high-performance features will be standard on all Australian RS 5 Coupes, including the quattro sport rear differential, RS sports exhaust system, as well as Dynamic Ride Control with adaptive dampers.

The all-new Audi RS 5 Coupe will land in Australian showrooms in December.

2018 Audi RS5 pricing (plus on-road costs):
RS5 Coupe 2.9 TFSI quattro: $156,600

Stay tuned to Chasing Cars for news regarding the Audi RS5.