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Audi Drive Select

The Audi drive select driving dynamics system comes standard with the RS 5 Coupe. This system allows the driver to select between three modes - comfort, auto and dynamic - for the characteristics of the servotronic steering, the seven-speed S tronic, the accelerator and the exhaust system. And if the car is equipped with an Audi navigation system, there is also a fourth mode which can be configured by the driver. Along with the sport differential, dynamic steering is another optional component of Audi drive select.

Dynamic Elegance: The Interior

The vehicle's dynamically elegant styling extends to the interior. The standard sport seats with integrated headrests are power adjustable and covered in a combination of leather and Alcantara. Alternatives include bucket seats with folding backrests or ventilated and luxuriously upholstered climate-controlled comfort seats.

The instruments feature black dials and white markings with special scaling. The driver information system with color display includes a lap timer and an oil temperature gauge. The interior is a study in black: the inlays are carbon and the fascia framing the instrument cluster in the instrument panel sports a piano finish.

The pedals, the footrest and the buttons of the optional MMI navigation systems shine in an aluminum-look finish. Aluminum inserts adorn the door sill trims, which are accentuated with RS 5 badges.

Audi also offers numerous exclusive optional features for the interior. A carbon design package is available for the engine compartment, as are a variety of styling packages for the body. A broad range of high-performance assistance and communication systems round out the optional extras program.

Power in its Most Beautiful Form

The Audi RS 5 Coupe uses a high-revving, normally aspirated V8 displacing 4163 cc. This engine is closely related to the V10 that powers the R8 high- performance sports car. The 4.2 FSI delivers 450 hp at 8,250 rpm, with the peak torque of 317 lb-ft available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The sonorous V8 catapults the two-door model from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds on its way to an electronically governed top speed of 155 mph. Audi can increase that to 174 mph upon request.

The normally aspirated engine consumes just 22 mpg on average - far less than its key competitors. This impressive figure is due to the combination of technologies from the Audi modular efficiency platform, which also includes a recuperation system.

With its high efficiency and its long top gear, the standard seven-speed S tronic also contributes to the good fuel economy. Drivers can let the lightning-fast dual- clutch transmission shift automatically or change gears themselves using the selector lever or with paddles on the steering wheel.

Like all RS models, the RS 5 Coupe also applies its power to the road with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Audi is using a new development stage of the center differential called the crown-gear center differential.

Seven-Speed S tronic Transmission with Launch Control

The seven-speed S tronic is celebrating a premiere of sorts in the RS 5 Coupe: This marks the first time that it will be working together with a high-revving engine - an easy assignment for the S tronic, which was designed for 9,000 rpm. Audi has made targeted modifications to certain aspects of the dual-clutch transmission, such as the oil management system and the clutches. The gear ratios have also been adjusted. Seventh gear is relatively tall to reduce consumption.

The seven-speed S tronic comprises two subunits and integrates two multi-plate clutches that control the various gears. The large K1 clutch located on the outside directs the torque via a solid shaft to the gear wheels for the odd-numbered gears 1, 3, 5 and 7. A hollow shaft rotates around the solid shaft. It is connected to the smaller K2 clutch, which is integrated into the inside of its larger sibling, and which controls the gear wheels for the even-numbered gears 2, 4 and 6, as well as reverse gear.

The seven-speed S tronic can be used in a number of ways. The fully automatic mode, in which the control unit determines the gearshifts, offers the D (Drive) and S (Sport) programs. The transmission management system follows the settings of the Audi drive select vehicle dynamics system. If the driver changes gears using the gear selector lever or the paddles behind the steering wheel, the transmission goes into a particularly sporty mode in which it allows the engine to rev up to the limit without shifting up. If the dynamic Audi drive select mode is active, the transmission double-clutches when downshifting.

Another specialty of the seven-speed S tronic in the RS 5 Coupe is the launch control function, which enables rocket-like starts. The driver needs only to press the accelerator to the floor. The system manages the engagement of the clutch so that all of the power of the 4.2 FSI is delivered to the road with perfectly controlled tire slip.

Handling Precision - Without Compromise

The Audi RS 5 Coupe rolls on large cast aluminum, five-arm structure design wheels. The 9J x 19 wheels are shod with 265/35-series tires. Audi offers optional 20-inch wheels with 275/30-series tires in two variants, one in a machine-polished, titanium-look finish. Winter wheels featuring the same dimensions are available; the 19-inch wheels are suitable for snow chains. All tires have been optimized for rolling resistance - without compromising their dynamic characteristics.

Beefy discs fit behind the large wheels. Discs measuring 365 millimeters (14.37 in) in diameter and 34 millimeters (1.34 in) thick are mounted on the front axle; the rear axle sports discs measuring 324 x 22 millimeters (12.76 x 0.87 in). The internally ventilated steel friction rings are perforated and connected to the aluminum brake caps via massive stainless steel pins. This direct structure reduces tensions, quickly dissipates the heat and prevents the transmission of temperature peaks.

The monoblock calipers painted high-gloss black and bearing RS logos are also made of aluminum. The front calipers each have eight pistons; single-piston floating calipers are mounted on the rear axle.

Audi installs anthracite gray, perforated carbon fiber-ceramic discs up front upon request. They measure 380 millimeters (14.96 in) in diameter and are gripped by anthracite gray, six-piston fixed calipers. The base material is silicon carbide, a material with a diamond-like crystal structure in which high-strength carbon fibers are embedded.

The complex geometry of the cooling channels quickly dissipates the heat. Titanium bolts connect the friction rings to the forged aluminum caps. The ceramic discs are practically fade-free, extremely robust, powerful and durable. Furthermore, with a total weight of just four kilograms (8.82 lb), they are lighter than steel discs despite their larger size.

The brake system in the Audi RS 5 Coupe not only delivers tremendous stopping power, it also provides finely differentiated feedback thanks to the specially compiled tandem power brake system. A specially configured stabilization system monitors the cornering limit. With the touch of a button, the driver can activate a sport mode that deactivates the engine interventions and thus permits spectacular but safe drifts when accelerating.

The ESP together with the anti-slip control can also be completely deactivated for particularly dynamic driving situations such as a driver training course or a trip to the race track. The optional hill-start assist, a subfunction of the system, makes it easier to start off on grades by maintaining the pressure in the system after the brake pedal is released.

Equipment and Trim

The Audi RS 5 Coupe comes with an opulent array of standard features. In addition to the special modifications to the exterior, interior, drivetrain and chassis, these include the parking system plus with optical display and an automatic air conditioning system.

The concert CD radio features a card reader, an AUX-IN port, a 6.5-inch color monitor and eight speakers. The back seat backrests can be folded down. A pass-through facility with removable ski sack provides another connection to the 455 liter (16.07 cu ft) luggage compartment, whose hatch swings up automatically when unlocked.

There is also an ample package of restraint systems. It begins with three-point belts with tensioners and force limiters up front, the integral headrest system and ISOFIX mounts for child seats in the rear. Two front, side and head airbags offer good protection in the event of a crash. Side airbags are not available with the optional bucket seats.

Attractive options bring executive-class luxury to the RS 5 Coupe. The adaptive light technology combines xenon plus headlights with dynamic cornering lights; the high-beam assistant changes automatically between low beam and high beam. The convenience key enables keyless access without having to unlock the car and allows pushbutton starting. The panoramic sunroof, the three-zone automatic air conditioning, tinted rear windows and the power rear window shade ensure that the climate on board is always comfortable.

Deliveries of the Audi RS 5 Coupe are scheduled to begin in the middle of the year in Europe, with a 77,700 euro start price tag. Deliveries to the US are scheduled to start in 2012.

Audi RS 5 Coupe: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications