Audi India has launched the new RS 5 Sportback at an introductory price of Rs 1.04 crore (ex-showroom, India). The Mercedes-AMG C 63 rival returns to India in the four-door Sportback guise, as opposed to the two-door Coupe that was on sale earlier. The 2021 RS 5 Sportback joins the S5 Sportback, that was launched in this March, and the RS7 Sportback in Audi’s lineup of performance sedans in India.
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Larger front grille, new Matrix LED headlamps and a new 10.1-inch touchscreen
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0-100kph in 3.9 secs; top speed of 250kph
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Gets RS-specific drive modes
2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback: exterior and interior
Compared to the two-door coupe that was launched in India in 2018, the updated RS5 gets a tweaked exterior design and two more doors. The front grille is now larger and finished in gloss black with honeycomb inserts, while the headlights are sharper and feature Matrix LED technology. The air intakes too have been reshaped as have the RS-specific bumpers. Along the sides, the sloping roofline lends a sporty, coupe-like silhouette to the RS5 Sportback. The Sportback also gets frameless doors for added visual drama and will ride on 19-inch alloy wheels as standard. At the back, the updates include new LED taillights and a reshaped diffuser and bumper.
The Audi RS 5 Sportback is available in eight colours – Nardo Grey, Turbo Blue, Tango Red, Mythos Black, Glacier White, Navarra Blue, Sonoma Green and Daytona Grey.
Inside the cabin, the overall layout and dashboard design remain largely unchanged to the previous model. However, the 2021 RS 5 does gets a completely overhauled infotainment system. The interior is finished in black and rock grey leather and Alcantara upholstery with aluminium trim pieces. Being an RS model, the Sportback gets stainless steel pedals and RS scuff plates on the running boards.
2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback: features
In terms of creature comforts, the 2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback is equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Audi’s MMI Navigation Plus and MMI Touch tech, a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, a 180W Audi sound system, a three-spoke RS steering wheel with paddle shifters, three-zone auto AC, power adjustable front sports seats, Alcantara and leather upholstery, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof and cruise control.
Safety-wise, the RS 5 Sportback gets six airbags, ABS with EBD, hill-hold assist, ESC, ISOFIX child seat mounts, rear parking camera and front and rear parking sensors.
RS 5 Sportback buyers will also get a complimentary 5-year warranty and a 5-year roadside assistance package from Audi.
2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback: engine and gearbox
The 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback is powered by a 450hp, 600Nm, 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6 engine. The engine comes paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system sending power to all four wheels. The RS 5 Sportback can go from 0-100 kph in just 3.9 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250kph.
The Sportback also comes with two RS modes, which alter the power delivery, gearbox and steering sensitivity of the car. These modes are controlled via the Audi drive select button on the steering wheel. Also part of the package is the RS sports suspension, which is said to be “honed to offer superlative dynamic handling on the road”.
2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback: rivals
Currently, the 2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback has only one direct rival on sale in India – the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe which is priced at Rs 1.33 crore (ex-showroom, India).
In International markets, the Audi RS 5 also competes with the BMW M3, the Lexus RC F and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Upcoming Audi launches in India
The German carmaker recently launched its first all-electric model in India – the e-tron SUV and e-tron Sportback – and following the launch of the RS5, Audi has a slew of new SUVs lined up for launch this year. This includes the all-new Q3 and facelifted versions of the Q5 and Q7 SUVs. Audi also has an all-new version of the A3 sedan coming up later this year.
Also see:
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