Audi Australia has just released official info on the facelifted RS5 Coupé. The biggest news is the drop in price of around $14,000 compared to the model’s original launch back in late 2010. That means Australian RS5 pricing now starts at $161,400.
Mechanically speaking the RS5 is much the same as it was before and still packs a 331kW punch, thanks to its free-revving 4.2 litre V8. However, changes to the car’s electromechanical power steering are said to benefit driving feel and fuel economy.
Modest gains of 0.1 second and 0.3l/100km have been made to the 0–100km/h time and fuel economy respectively, resulting in key figures of 4.5 seconds and 10.5l/100km.
Visually the refreshed RS5 gets the makeover treatment first seen on the A4 facelift, which includes the new-look LED daytime running lights.
Finally, you can now get a flat-bottomed steering wheel on the RS5. Indeed, the new steering wheel headlines the revised standard equipment, along with 20″ rotor-style alloys.
Sadly, we’re just not as keen on the RS5 as we used to be. It’s got a peach of an engine, and while we’ve not had a chance to test one for ourselves just yet, we reckon the TT RS would provide just as much drama and driving enjoyment, in fact possibly more. Leaving you with enough change to pocket a Polo GTI for daily duites.
Perhaps, more pertinently, if you wanted a well sorted coupé—and with Audi asking the best part of $180K—wouldn’t you be duty bound to visit your nearest Porsche Centre?
