A5/S5/RS5 Audi RS5 - First Drives and Driving Impressions (Autocar, Edmunds,…)

[footie]

.....or excited. His experience in the car has been like driving a VAG Uber GT: Monster engine packaged into a heavy body, compensated by clever electronics. The character of the car mirrors that of the RS6 which has been hailed for its speed and handling but doesn't leave the driver with goose bumps the way an M car does.

Interestingly he brings up the RS4 which was a giant leap in the right direction in terms of excitement and driver involvement. Let's await further reviews because Chris Harris might have anticipated the RS5 to drive like an M3 and thus have had a slightly clouded judgement. But so far the consensus is that the RS5 is a bit restrained in its demeanor.

I can guarantee that the RS5 is a lot different to that of the RS6 and frankly the belief that the RS4 is more exciting is more to do with it's lack of a manual gearbox and the interaction that comes with that than to do with it being to polished for it's own good. I might also add and remind that all the RS5s at the launch were equipped with DRC which might suit some of the reviewers giving the impression of incredible composure and control yet offer a remarkable ride, but to others this will remove some of the rawness that needs to be present in a true sportscar.

^ No surprizes there really. Nobody beats BMW in what they do best.

I would hate for Audi to mimic BMW in their belief of what a sportscar should be, surely you would feel the same way. After all if that was true and every brand behaved the same then what kind of a world would that be.

In my opinion the reason for the such a difference in this one review (so far) compared to the others is that Chris prefers the raw excitement that the M3 brings compared to the polished efficiency that his first experience of the RS5 brought.

Only time will tell if his proper fully test back in Britain will change that early negativity.

 

[footie]

3 more videos. 2 from the Ascari track and one from the mountain roads close by.

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[footie]

http://www.audi-quattro-highlights.com/

Might help explain some of the technology at work in the new RS5

 

[ACE]

What does EVO think?

Chris Harris and his review:

Audi's 450bhp, 4wd RS5 coupe should be an M3 beater. But is it? Chris Harris reports

Audi RS5 review

It’s nothing like as characterful as the last RS4, and for all its technical brilliance it lacks roll-on performance – ironically just the type that the turbocharged S4 offers.

I read this and thought: "Thanks Chris Harris, you may have just saved me £30k as I no longer have to think about replacing my S4 with an RS5"... but then I thought: "Does Chris Harris think the S4 is turbocharged? Maybe this guy isn't as clever as I thought!"

 

[ACE]

^ No surprizes there really. Nobody beats BMW in what they do best.

And what exactly is it that BMW does best? Apart from putting BMW badges on their cars which I know is more than enough for you!

 

[ghusheshe]

Audi RS5 verdict thus far (I know its still early days): Edmunds ,Autoexpress , Autocar , Evo , .Doesn't seem like its a good start for the RS5. No amount of technological gizmos will compensate for its shortcomings it seems.. It is quick off the line, but that is to be expected. Is it exciting to drive?? the consensus thus far is that it is not Eish...

 

[footie]

It’s nothing like as characterful as the last RS4, and for all its technical brilliance it lacks roll-on performance – ironically just the type that the turbocharged S4 offers.

I read this and thought: "Thanks Chris Harris, you may have just saved me £30k as I no longer have to think about replacing my S4 with an RS5"... but then I thought: "Does Chris Harris think the S4 is turbocharged? Maybe this guy isn't as clever as I thought!"

As a fellow (soon to be) S4 owner I was also rather happy with his comments, but the reality is that the RS5 is in another league to that of the S4, in every size, shape and form.

Also I think it was just a mental slip the 'turbochanged' thing because he seriously does know his cars. But on the RS5 I think he has jumped to the wrong opinion for whatever reason, maybe got out of bed the wrong side or something because everyone else has sung it's praises, rating it's chassis not only balanced but at times feeling uncannily like a rear wheel drive which is surely a first for an Audi without an R8 in it's name.

 

[martinbo]

It’s nothing like as characterful as the last RS4, and for all its technical brilliance it lacks roll-on performance – ironically just the type that the turbocharged S4 offers.

I read this and thought: "Thanks Chris Harris, you may have just saved me £30k as I no longer have to think about replacing my S4 with an RS5"... but then I thought: "Does Chris Harris think the S4 is turbocharged? Maybe this guy isn't as clever as I thought!"

It's not the first time this mistake's been made by journos and I suspect it won't be the last. I partly blame Audi for blurring the lines by calling the engine TFSI and badging the car V6T. I'm certain that Harris knows it's supercharged and that he has just made a mistake.

These guys write so much and against such tight deadlines that such (completely unacceptable oversights by GCF standards) are inevitable.

EVO does get it wrong on occasion like when John Simister wrote in his SLS preview article that the gearbox, whilst of the transaxle variety, was not a DCT system but rather an updated version of the AMG 7-Gtronic Speedshift auto!!!

 

[footie]

Audi RS5 verdict thus far (I know its still early days): Edmunds ,Autoexpress , Autocar , Evo , .Doesn't seem like its a good start for the RS5. No amount of technological gizmos will compensate for its shortcomings it seems.. It is quick off the line, but that is to be expected. Is it exciting to drive?? the consensus thus far is that it is not Eish...

Exactly if you read all of these reviews you would know that Autocar praised it very highly, as did Autoexpress and Edmunds. EVO didn't for whatever reason at the time but I reckon that on UK soil and down roads they are more familiar with their comments and opinions will change.

One thing needs to be said though, no matter if the RS5 is quicker on any given track compared to the likes of the M3 it is a heavy car and nothing with change that fact, so it will only be at it's best for a couple of laps before tyres and brakes start to complain. But as a road car for crossing country at a blistering pace I can think of few it's equal.

 

[martinbo]

Audi RS5 verdict thus far (I know its still early days): Edmunds ,Autoexpress , Autocar , Evo , .Doesn't seem like its a good start for the RS5. No amount of technological gizmos will compensate for its shortcomings it seems.. It is quick off the line, but that is to be expected. Is it exciting to drive?? the consensus thus far is that it is not

Well, let's give it a couple of months to settle in. Remember the E92 wasn't met with universal acclaim upon its Spanish media launch. It took a while for popular opinion to "get it".

Then again, Audi themselves have placed the weight of expectation upon the RS5 themselves. And managing expectation and delivering on that expectation is everything these days when it comes to just about anything.

Eish...

LOL - Eish indeed bro, Eish!

 

[footie]

Well, let's give it a couple of months to settle in. Remember the E92 wasn't met with universal acclaim upon its Spanish media launch. It took a while for popular opinion to "get it".

Quite right, in fact if I recall correctly the first few comparison tests between the RS4 and M3 the consensus was that BMW had dropped the ball with the latest M3 because everyone had expected it to comfortably defeat the RS4 and it only narrowly beat it, and only on a select number of things.

The problem is that each time the bar is raised the effort required to better it gets increasingly difficult. But it doesn't stop them from trying........thank god.

 

[ACE]

Audi RS5 verdict thus far (I know its still early days): Edmunds ,Autoexpress , Autocar , Evo , .Doesn't seem like its a good start for the RS5. No amount of technological gizmos will compensate for its shortcomings it seems.. It is quick off the line, but that is to be expected. Is it exciting to drive?? the consensus thus far is that it is not Eish...

The RS5 was never going to be as "exciting" or "engaging" to drive as a RWD car. The weight (and it's distribution), RWD vs AWD characteristics made that pretty obvious to me. The GT-R gets the same verdicts but it is a hell of a lot faster than the M3. The real question is: How fast is the RS5 around a track?

 

[Zafiro]

The RS5 was never going to be as "exciting" or "engaging" to drive as a RWD car. The weight (and it's distribution), RWD vs AWD characteristics made that pretty obvious to me. The GT-R gets the same verdicts but it is a hell of a lot faster than the M3. The real question is: How fast is the RS5 around a track?

GTR is quicker than most cars. Probably a hell faster than RS5 as well. GTR fights against mighty cars like 911 TT or Gallardo. M3 and RS5 are far behind.

 

[ghusheshe]

The RS5 was never going to be as "exciting" or "engaging" to drive as a RWD car. The weight (and it's distribution), RWD vs AWD characteristics made that pretty obvious to me. The GT-R gets the same verdicts but it is a hell of a lot faster than the M3. The real question is: How fast is the RS5 around a track?

I know this is an RS5 thread and without stealing the shine from the beast I need point out the following. When it comes to the M3, its not about how fast it is, there are plenty cars faster than the M3, but like Martin once said "its about how it delivers as a complete package".When one touts the RS5 as an M3 "BEATER" like Footie has been going on lately, then surely it has to 'beat' it at what it does best, not straight line acceleration, but an exceptional drive.

 

[Poverty]

GTR is quicker than most cars. Probably a hell faster than RS5 as well. GTR fights against mighty cars like 911 TT or Gallardo. M3 and RS5 are far behind.

M3 and RS5 arent even anywhere as fast as their looks, price and power would suggest, they are too heavy. Premium german cars wouldnt be my pick to take around a track unless its a porsche or R8. They are just too heavy, and until they loose weight they will remain to be driven by poseurs rather than true speed freaks.

If I had loads of money I would buy a m3 or a rs5 perhaps, but only because I would strip it to its bare shell.

 

[footie]

I know this is an RS5 thread and without stealing the shine from the beast I need point out the following. When it comes to the M3, its not about how fast it is, there are plenty cars faster than the M3, but like Martin once said "its about how it delivers as a complete package".When one touts the RS5 as an M3 "BEATER" like Footie has been going on lately, then surely it has to 'beat' it at what it does best, not straight line acceleration, but an exceptional drive.

The RS5 is an M3 BEATER but not in the thing that you might rate as important, that is why there will always be a place for the M3 and cars like it. Now in cross country ability at speed then sorry but the RS5 will have the M3 comfortably beaten.

 

[ghusheshe]

The RS5 is an M3 BEATER but not in the thing that you might rate as important, that is why there will always be a place for the M3 and cars like it. Now in cross country ability at speed then sorry but the RS5 will have the M3 comfortably beaten.

I think you just conceded a point there Footie. It is not me rating the things that M3 is good at, but almost every reputable motoring magazine. Sure the RS5 will beat the M3 in cross country ability, so will the X5, that's not what the M3 is built for. I would want the M3 to be beaten at what it is good at..

 

[Sunny]

The RS5 was never going to be as "exciting" or "engaging" to drive as a RWD car. The weight (and it's distribution), RWD vs AWD characteristics made that pretty obvious to me. The GT-R gets the same verdicts but it is a hell of a lot faster than the M3. The real question is: How fast is the RS5 around a track?

GTR doesn't get the same 'verdict'. It is insanely fast and at the same time exciting to drive, here is Chris gushing about it.

Audi R8 V10 v Porsche 911 Turbo v Nissan GT-R | evo videos

So let us not club the RS5 with GTR yet. It will hardly be as fast point A to B and from the looks of it, not as fun either. But it is still too early and I wouldn't give too much credence to these 'first drives'.

 

[footie]

I think you just conceded a point there Footie. It is not me rating the things that M3 is good at, but almost every reputable motoring magazine. Sure the RS5 will beat the M3 in cross country ability, so will the X5, that's not what the M3 is built for. I would want the M3 to be beaten at what it is good at..

Do you seriously believe an X5 can cover ground as quickly as an M3. Man that is a real eye opener to me, especially since I owned an M3 and the brother has the X6 which within a mile is so far in the rear view mirror it ain't even funny.

Let's get things straight about what the M3 is almost sure to be better than the RS5, i.e. tail out fun, involvement and steering feel. Now if those are the most important thing to you then I doubt the RS5 will suit, if these aren't the most important then I am pretty sure all the things where the RS5 is actually better will mean it is the superior package.

 

[martinbo]

^ Cross-country can have different meanings down here in SA, footie. And it can involve many different kinds of roads - some not even tarred - in which an X5 would be faster. Just contextualising for you from ghusheshe's local point-of-view. In the UK, you call cross-country driving "B-road driving" and this never involves venturing off a tarred surface.

For us South Africans cross-country literally means covering all kinds of terrain - even if this means venturing off tar. What you're talking about is cut and thrust, A to B driving on tar outside of urban confines. And yes, in these instances: on twisting, bumpy B-roads, perhaps wet (which is most of the time in the UK ), an AWD RS5 would have the advantage over an M3 if both drivers were of average skill.