New Audi’s facelifted RS 4 and RS 5 models coming to South Africa

All three cars feature freshened styling as well as upgraded cabin tech and pricing starts at R1 296 000 for the RS 4 Avant, moving up to R1 394 500 for the RS 5 Coupe and R1 409 500 for the Sportback. Of course, the familiar 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 petrol engine carries over from the pre-facelift range, offering 331kW and 600Nm. As before, the cars will sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds, according to claims. Power goes to all four paws via an eight-speed automatic gearbox and RS-tuned Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and customers can sharpen things up with an optional sport differential on the rear axle, which apportions torque between the back wheels.

Moving inside you’ll find a totally new 25.6cm MMI touchscreen infotainment unit that replaces the previous system that was operated by an old-fashioned console-mounted rotary dial. The system also ushers in a range of Audi connect features, including online traffic info, weather updates, and various Car2X services, including an emergency button built into the vehicle’s roof module.

MMI navigation plus is standard on all three RS models, along with a Bang Olufsen Premium 3D sound system. Owners will also get to enjoy an RS monitor, which provides information on the drive temperature, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, Quattro sport differential and even tyre temperature. An RS-specific ‘Virtual Cockpit’ digital instrument cluster is also part of the deal and it provides further data such as g-forces.

As per the recently facelifted regular A4 and A5 models, the front end of the freshened RS5s is where you’ll see the biggest changes, which include a wider and flatter grille featuring sharper edges, flanked by pointy new headlights. Matrix LED laser light technology is standard in the RS 5 models, and an option on the RS 4 Avant.

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