I have had money down on an RS5 for 3 years. But the car doesn't push any of my hot buttons. Take the highlights from the press release:
- 450hp and 430Nm is hardly something to get excited about these days. RS4 unveiled five years ago had 420hp and (roll of drums...) 430Nm. Another 10 years and we might see, say, 480hp and 430Nm. That type of output is still less than Merc C63 was pushing out 3 years ago.
- New trick diff and DSG are fine. I'm certain they will help the RS5 make the numbers on the 'Ring (some claim sub 8:00) but it will put one more layer of gremlins between driver and car. Gone are the heroic heel 'n toe downshifts, the bowel-contracting mid-range torque of old, and the highly predictable ESP-off moments in the rain and snow.
- It claims low consumption figures, but frankly I don't give a toss. If I wanted to flatter my green conscience (well, if I had one in the first place) I'd drive a Polo 1.1, not an RS that will potter along in 7th gear at 20mph.
- All of Audi's hype around new-found sportiness and lightweight... 1725kg, for god's sake! And Audi has often been on the optimistic side with its weight claims. No amount of high revving can compensate for high weight and modest torque. This is old-style M3, not RS recipe.
- As for the looks, it lacks the presence of, say, the RS6. All very subtle and neat, too much so in my view. Lack of signature RS wheels is annoying. This being said, I know they need to be seen in the flesh for a proper impression.
- 77k Euros (£68k at today's rates) is steep. A lot steeper than the RS4 was, and a lot more than M3, C63, GT-R etc. What for?
Finally, rumours have it that the next M3 will be turbocharged (like M5, X5M, X6M). How ironic.
I've been a big fan of Audi over the years, with one S3, 2 S4s, 3 RS4s (two B5s and now a B7); this is no brand bashing. I feel let down, victim of a bunch of nerds in the marketing department who hold the good Quattro engineers in a dark German dungeon.
End of rant. Had to get this out of my system. PM me if you want my slot. Should be the first in the country.
