IN SHORT: THE AUDI RS 5 COUPE

A classically elegant coupe with a breathtakingly powerful engine: Audi is introducing the RS 5 Coupé. The high-revving 4.2-liter V8 pumps out a hefty 331 kW (450 hp), yet uses fuel extremely efficiently. Like all of the high-performance models from Audi, the RS 5 Coupé delivers its power to the road via all four wheels. A new evolutionary stage of quattro permanent all-wheel drive is also debuting here.

The Audi RS 5 Coupé uses a high-revving, normally aspirated V8 displacing 4,163 cc. This engine is closely related to the V10 that powers the R8 high-performance sports car. The 4.2 FSI delivers 331 kW (450 hp) at 8,250 rpm, with the peak torque of 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft) available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The sonorous V8 catapults the two-door model from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.14 mph) in 4.6 seconds on its way to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). Audi can increase that to 280 km/h (173.98 mph) upon request.

The normally aspirated engine consumes just 10.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (21.78 US mpg) on average - far less than its key competitors. This impressive figure is due to the combination of technologies from the Audi modular efficiency platform, which also includes a recuperation system.

With its high efficiency and its long top gear, the standard seven-speed S tronic - also contributes to the good fuel economy. Drivers can let the lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission shift automatically or change gears themselves using the selector lever or with paddles on the steering wheel.

Like all RS models, the RS 5 Coupé also applies its power to the road with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Audi is using a new development stage of the center differential called the crown-gear center differential.

Very compact and lightweight, it can widely vary the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles, with up to 70 percent flowing to the front or as much as 85 percent to the rear, if necessary. The default 40:60 ratio of the rear-biased configuration ensures sporty handling.

The crown-gear center differential works together with the likewise new torque vectoring system, which acts on all four wheels. If the load on the inside wheel is reduced too much while the car is being driven dynamically, that wheel is braked slightly before it can begin to slip. Audi offers the sport differential as a complementary option that actively distributes the power between the rear wheels.

The chassis of the RS 5 Coupé is tautly tuned, lowering the body 20 millimeters (0.79 in) compared to the Audi A5. The high-performance coupe comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels with 265/35-series tires; 20-inch wheels with 275/30-series tires are available as an option. Audi will begin offering a particularly dynamic damping technology towards the end of the year – the purely mechanical DRC Dynamic Ride Control.

The brake system uses large, internally ventilated discs. Their steel friction rings are perforated and connected to the aluminum brake caps via pins. The calipers are painted high-gloss black; the front calipers have eight pistons each. Audi installs carbon fiber-ceramic discs up front upon request. The ESP stabilization system includes a Sport mode and can be completely deactivated.

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