The Audi RS5 Sportback: A Practical Performance Car that Surpasses Expectations
As we embarked on the fifth gear team test, our attention was focused on the new Audi RS5 Sportback. This car is a practical performance car that competes with the likes of the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63, all at a price tag of nearly $70,000. Former F1 driver and current Chandhok joined us to help assess the sporty credentials of this new model.
The RS5 Sportback is powered by a 2.9-liter V6 twin-turbo engine, producing an impressive 450 horsepower. We asked Chandhok what he thought of the car's color, and he revealed that his first impression was that it looked "mean" with a feisty front end. He particularly enjoyed the crease where the front meets the rear, describing it as "very cool." However, when it came to the rear view mirror, Chandhok mentioned that it reminded him of Civic Type-R syndrome, with unnecessary vents and grille action.
Moving on to the interior, Chandhok and Jason were impressed by the lovely LED bits and bobs. He particularly liked the wheel design, describing it as "functional" and "oddly good." However, when they looked at the rear seats, Chandhok felt that it was a different story altogether. The rear section seemed darker, and he wished for more light to come in through the sunroof.
Before hitting the road, Chandhok and Jason took the RS5 Sportback on a short drive along the Alpine route. This allowed them to understand the car's manners and get a feel for its performance. As they drove, Chandhok mentioned that the engine felt "point-and-shoot," with an Audi-like OD function that made it all very exciting.
When it was time to take the RS5 Sportback onto the handling circuit, Chandhok's eyes widened in surprise. He described Audi as being "very safe" but noted that they understeer a bit too much. However, when he took the wheel again, Chandhok felt an almost neutral response from the car, with just a hint of oversteer. This made for a thrilling drive, and Chandhok was pleasantly surprised by the RS5 Sportback's handling.
As we wrapped up our test day, Chandhok revealed that the RS5 Sportback had reignited his passion for driving, particularly in the DS segment. He decided to give the car a strong 8 out of 10, praising its fun-to-drive nature, quick acceleration, and dynamic feel. While he was torn between giving it an 8 or 9, Chandhok ultimately settled on an impressive score of 33 out of 40 for the Audi RS5 Sportback.
In conclusion, the Audi RS5 Sportback has exceeded expectations in every way. With its powerful engine, impressive handling, and comfortable interior, this car is a force to be reckoned with in the performance segment. Whether you're looking for a fun-to-drive daily driver or an exciting track companion, the RS5 Sportback is sure to deliver.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ennow it's time to get a first look and first drive of a brand new model yes it's the fifth gear team test today the team tested the Audi rs5 Sportback it's a practical performance car and competitor to the bmw m3 and mercedes-amg c63 it's priced at nearly 70 grand RS Audi's in the past have been criticised for not being as exciting to drive as rivals so to help assess its sporty credentials former f1 driver current Chandhok has joined us for the team Texas this is the Audi rs5 sport back it is powered by a 2.9 liter v6 twin-turbo 450 horsepower what do you reckon it's green I love that Sonoma green are you joking I'm not a fan in the end it just like a bit of mushy pea kind of color which is not really my favorite I think the front looks mean I think that's quite feisty you know in the rear view mirror that that's coming at you and it's it's sort of suffering from Civic type-r syndrome like pointless vents in places that's not real some pointless grille action going on but it's it's tasteful it is tasteful they nailed that look at that crease where it goes into that crease there oh that's very cool so then we looked inside Jason and I were up front and yep all lovely LD bits and bobs I like the wheel here I do like the centre I think it's very functional very oddly that and you just know it's good it's gonna work yeah but in the back it was a different story it feels a bit darker I would've liked to have seen the sunroof come more just a bit more light what you like in the back room Johnny let go in fine yeah how dream a little tight I've got time that's really good so we did the Alpine route first just to understand the cars manners it's good it's really short footage and it's quick and it's exactly what you would expect have I got mathematics but you've got a Porsche collaborated 2.9 twin-turbo v6 and when I lift off the gas it has that lovely little it's all very Audi isn't it it's point-and-shoot it's a Quattro it's everything everything we're talking about it's quick because OD is a function like an Audi is yeah is it exciting to find out we took the rs5 onto the handling circuit boy oh boy the scales dropped from my eyes generally Audi's yeah very safe they understeer too much it was an Audi that had quite a loose rear end not very obvious to me this was quite a neutral almost slightly oversteer II felt it and that's fun Karen had a go and he really liked it it took him by surprise we nearly had a crash what was that tell you what current you up low you are good for pelvic floor exercises I was tight than I thought did you enjoy idly did I genuinely think I've changed my mind I think I might prefer this over the c63 yeah just driving on I just feel so together yeah luckily we made it off the test track in one piece and just before the heavens opened have that taste of the rs5 wetted our appetites or was the Audi a bit of a washout I am thrilled to announce that the rs5 Sportback has reignited some passion that I have now got for our DS and as a consequence I'm gonna give this car a very strong eight it was much more fun than I expected so I'm gonna give it an 8 it's exciting it's fun it's quick only feels dynamic so I'm torn I'm why are you gonna give it an 8 or 9 split the difference the Audi gets an 8 a hot I'm really quite taken by it I'm gonna give this an 8.5 pretend my tongue is a point which gives the Audi rs5 an extremely impressive tinta score of 33 out of 40 younow it's time to get a first look and first drive of a brand new model yes it's the fifth gear team test today the team tested the Audi rs5 Sportback it's a practical performance car and competitor to the bmw m3 and mercedes-amg c63 it's priced at nearly 70 grand RS Audi's in the past have been criticised for not being as exciting to drive as rivals so to help assess its sporty credentials former f1 driver current Chandhok has joined us for the team Texas this is the Audi rs5 sport back it is powered by a 2.9 liter v6 twin-turbo 450 horsepower what do you reckon it's green I love that Sonoma green are you joking I'm not a fan in the end it just like a bit of mushy pea kind of color which is not really my favorite I think the front looks mean I think that's quite feisty you know in the rear view mirror that that's coming at you and it's it's sort of suffering from Civic type-r syndrome like pointless vents in places that's not real some pointless grille action going on but it's it's tasteful it is tasteful they nailed that look at that crease where it goes into that crease there oh that's very cool so then we looked inside Jason and I were up front and yep all lovely LD bits and bobs I like the wheel here I do like the centre I think it's very functional very oddly that and you just know it's good it's gonna work yeah but in the back it was a different story it feels a bit darker I would've liked to have seen the sunroof come more just a bit more light what you like in the back room Johnny let go in fine yeah how dream a little tight I've got time that's really good so we did the Alpine route first just to understand the cars manners it's good it's really short footage and it's quick and it's exactly what you would expect have I got mathematics but you've got a Porsche collaborated 2.9 twin-turbo v6 and when I lift off the gas it has that lovely little it's all very Audi isn't it it's point-and-shoot it's a Quattro it's everything everything we're talking about it's quick because OD is a function like an Audi is yeah is it exciting to find out we took the rs5 onto the handling circuit boy oh boy the scales dropped from my eyes generally Audi's yeah very safe they understeer too much it was an Audi that had quite a loose rear end not very obvious to me this was quite a neutral almost slightly oversteer II felt it and that's fun Karen had a go and he really liked it it took him by surprise we nearly had a crash what was that tell you what current you up low you are good for pelvic floor exercises I was tight than I thought did you enjoy idly did I genuinely think I've changed my mind I think I might prefer this over the c63 yeah just driving on I just feel so together yeah luckily we made it off the test track in one piece and just before the heavens opened have that taste of the rs5 wetted our appetites or was the Audi a bit of a washout I am thrilled to announce that the rs5 Sportback has reignited some passion that I have now got for our DS and as a consequence I'm gonna give this car a very strong eight it was much more fun than I expected so I'm gonna give it an 8 it's exciting it's fun it's quick only feels dynamic so I'm torn I'm why are you gonna give it an 8 or 9 split the difference the Audi gets an 8 a hot I'm really quite taken by it I'm gonna give this an 8.5 pretend my tongue is a point which gives the Audi rs5 an extremely impressive tinta score of 33 out of 40 you\n"
