It’s been 30 years since the original Audi quattro captivated the Geneva Motor Show. Since then, the famous all-wheel drive system has evolved many times offering Audi drivers the latest in differential technology.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the quattro, Audi has announced it will be unveiling the new Audi RS 5 Coupe at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show next week. The new model will feature a new V8-powered performance engine and a further evolution of famous quattro technology.
Style and Power:
The new RS 5 Coupe combines classic coupe styling with advanced Audi technology. Sitting 20 millimetres lower than the Audi A5, the new RS 5 bears a shiny charcoal-grey rhombus-pattern grid with xenon plus headlights and LED strip daytime running lights.
A newly designed bumper, 19’’ alloy wheels and a revised tail end, which is dominated by two oval exhaust pipes, all ooze traditional Audi style and elegance. The sporty spoiler in the tailgate also automatically extends at a speed of 75mph and retracts at 50mph for extra handling and stability.
New 4.2-litre V8 FSI engine:
The new RS 5 Coupe boasts a new hand-built, high-revving 4.2-litre V8 FSI engine that delivers its 450PS peak and a maximum torque of 430Nm. The new coupe can travel from 0 to 62mph in just 4.6 seconds and has an electronically governed top speed of 155mph.
Enhancements have been made to the dual-branch intake and exhaust system to allow the engine to breathe more freely. The new changes have not only maximised the performance in the new coupe but also the economy, boasting a combined fuel consumption of up to 26.2mpg.
Seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission:
Making its debut in the RS is a new seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission. The new transmission consists of two clutches and two subsidiary transmissions. The two subsidiary transmissions remain continuously active but only one is powered at any time by the engine. The gears are alternately shifted by the two clutches at lightning speed, making the drive smoother and to help minimise fuel usage.
New quattro technology: crown-gear differential
Following in the wheeltracks of previous RS models, the quattro permanent all-wheel drive has been evolved even further to offer a new differential in the new RS 5 Coupe, known as a crown-gear differential.
The new self-locking crown-gear centre differential is compact and lightweight and, thanks to its package of plates, can vary the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles.
The new differential also operates in conjunction with electronic torque vectoring, which influences all four wheels. If one of the inside wheels in a turn becomes imbalanced, then the system slightly decelerates the wheel to prevent wheel spin.
Dynamic Ride Control (DRC)
The new RS 5 benefits from the latest generation version of the Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) system. DRC works by providing an additional damping force whenever a shock absorber is compressed producing better handling and stability. Via the Audi drive select system, the driver will also be able to choose from three damper settings - comfort, dynamic and sport – according to preference and conditions.
Audi drive select:
The Audi drive select system is a standard feature of the new RS 5. It allows the driver to switch between three modes of operation – comfort, auto, and dynamic – to adjust the steering weighting, the shift points for the seven-speed S tronic, the sport differential, Dynamic Ride Control, the engine and the exhaust system. If the car is equipped with the optional MMI navigation system, a fourth mode will also allow the driver to customize their own profile.
Dynamic elegance: the interior
Finally, the new RS 5 Coupe boasts a revamped interior with black Silk Nappa leather upholstery and additional features such as an oil temperature gauge and lap timer for circuit use. Electrically adjustable super sports seats and integrated head restraints are standard but for an additional cost, these can be replaced by bucket seats with more prominent contours and folding backrests. All the equipment boasts the RS badge.
The new RS 5 Coupe is expected to open in the UK in the spring and will be priced in the region of £58,500.
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Donna Kelly
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