NY 2018: Audi RS5 Sportback – Your New Fast Family Funster

Ingolstadt’s New York Motor Show is off with a bang in the form of the new Audi RS5 Sportback.

Can’t live with a coupe? Can’t afford the hilarious, twin-turbo V8 RS7 and don’t want an RS4? Or you want to go faster than than the S4 or S5? Or S7? I mean, it’s complicated, right? As always, Audi has the answer, predictably by adding further complication.

Audi’s hitherto two door RS5 now has a distinctly family feel, with another two doors and a hatchback. Rather like…er…the S5 Sportback. And A5 Sportback.

Audi RS5 Sportback

We already know a fair bit about the RS5, but here’s a quick refresher. The Sportback is based on the S5 which is based on the A4 which itself is on VW’s MLB platform. Under the bonnet is a brilliant 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 spinning out 331kW (450PS) and 600Nm.

Power finds the road through Audi’s Quattro system and an eight-speed ZF automatic. As with the new V8s, the turbos are perpendicular to the engine, with inlet side on the inside (aka “hot side inside”. You’re welcome). You get full torque is from 1900-5000rpm. Rawr.

The RS5 Sportback looks the business here – big gaping air lets, blacked-out honeycomb grille, blacked-out inserts (optional, sadly) and trademark oval tailpipes.

The interior scores these lovely stitched seats, super-slick A4/A5 interior with a big screen and Audi’s fully digital dashboard which they call Virtual Cockpit.

The RS5 Sportback will be available this year in a number of markets. Audi is reasonably confident about it too:

“The Audi RS 5 Sportback is more than just an international trade fair novelty – it offers something new to our customers. Our innovative interpretation of a five-door high-performance coupé has neither predecessor models, nor a direct competitor. The new Audi RS 5 Sportback will carry the RS genes out onto the road.”

Michael-Julius Renz, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH.

We can’t wait to have a crack and to be perfectly honest, there’s not a fast Audi we’ve met in the past five years we haven’t liked. If you want a bit of RS action, check out our Audi RS3 review. For more fast Audi action, watch our Audi playlist. Or read our Audi R8 Spyder review.

Catch the rest of our 2018 New York Motor Show Coverage here

Audi RS5 Sportback Exterior Photos

Audi RS5 Sportback Interior Photos

Peter Anderson

Peter Anderson is the Editor and founder of the theredline.com.au. He’s been writing about cars for years and finds it difficult to talk about anything else.