2013 Audi RS 5 Review

The 2013 Audi RS 5 is a high-performance version of the already impressive A5 and S5 coupe and convertible. It's been sold overseas for a few years but is new to the United States.

We've admired it from afar. Now the 2013 Audi RS 5 finally debuts on American shores. With impressive performance and luxurious refinement, we'd say it was well worth the wait.

There's no doubt that it's pretty great living in the ol' U.S. of A. But every now and then, we get snubbed by overseas automakers that, for whatever reason, don't import certain lust-worthy vehicles stateside.

For two years, car enthusiasts have had to look longingly toward Europe for the Audi RS 5, the sharpest interpretation of an already admirable luxury sport coupe. We've been fans of the Audi A5 for quite some time, and even more enthusiastic about the sportier S5 variant. Finally, with the 2013 Audi RS 5, we can say we're positively thrilled.

With a 4.2-liter V8 producing a 450-horsepower wallop, the thrills are all but guaranteed. Furthermore, all of that power is put to good use in a well-balanced chassis that also boasts the efficiency and confidence of all-wheel drive. All of this allows the RS 5 coupe to sprint to 60 mph in a scant 4.3 seconds (the heavier convertible is a bit slower) and corner like a true sports car, putting it on par with some heady competitors.

As an added bonus, this performance is paired with all the benefits of the supporting Audi models. From the outside, the RS 5 keeps the A5 and S5's sleek shape, with some aggressive accents to emphasize its potential for speed, while the cabin maintains the brand's tastefully understated interior design. To top it all off, there are plenty of cutting-edge features that should please any technophile.

With all this in mind, it's easy to see why we're so enamored with the RS 5. That said, there are some pretty amazing rivals to consider as well. The 2013 Nissan GT-R outperforms the RS 5, though it comes at the expense of refinement. For a comparable blend of polish and performance, there are the 2013 BMW M6, Jaguar XK-R and the stalwart Porsche 911. Knowing that the 2013 Audi RS 5 will cost quite a bit less than these imposing competitors should further sweeten the deal. The wait is over, and it was worth it.

Powering the 2013 Audi RS 5 is a 4.2-liter V8 engine that produces 450 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to all four wheels through a seven-speed automated dual-clutch manual transmission with shift paddles. The RS 5's EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 18 mpg in combined driving.

In Edmunds performance testing, the Audi RS 5 coupe made the sprint from zero to 60 mph in a quick 4.3 seconds, which is on equal footing with other cars in this class.

Standard safety features on the 2013 Audi RS 5 include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front seat side airbags, front knee airbags, full-length side curtain airbags (coupe only) and front and rear parking sensors. Optional items include a rearview camera, a blind-spot monitoring system and an automatic emergency braking system that is paired with the adaptive cruise control.

In Edmunds brake testing, the RS 5 coupe came to a stop from 60 mph in 105 feet, an average distance for high-performance coupes such as this.

Getting the most out of the 2013 Audi RS-5's high-revving V8 is dead simple thanks to the launch control system, automated manual transmission and standard all-wheel drive. That tenacious traction helps the RS 5 achieve truly impressive 0-60 times, though the car does end up trailing most competitors a bit as speeds build due to a slightly heavier-than-average curb weight.

The RS 5's turn-in is pretty astonishing, as the front end just hangs on, seemingly unwilling to relinquish its grip on the road. Credit the RS 5's standard sport rear differential, which overdrives the outside rear tire while the inside front wheel is braked in order to pivot the car around the turn with unexpected agility.

In normal use, the RS 5 strikes a livable balance between speed and civility. Unfortunately, the RS 5's suspension uses conventional dampers and springs and thus has one mode only -- firm. The ride is not as brutal as the GT-R's but definitely reminds you that you're not piloting a plain Jane A5. Opting for the 20-inch wheels can further make the RS 5's ride fidgety on broken pavement.

In typical Audi fashion, the RS 5's interior receives high marks for its understated design and use of top-notch materials. In terms of functionality, however, some elements can be hit-and-miss. The standard dash-mounted MMI controller isn't nearly as easy to operate as the interface that comes with the optional navigation system. The standard MMI requires a few extra steps compared to the optional MMI, which benefits from simplified menus and a more favorable console-mounted controller.

Front seats provide ample support to hold the driver and passenger firmly in place while cornering, yet are comfortable enough for all-day touring. For the rare driving enthusiast who requires even more lateral support, the optional sport seats should satisfy. Unfortunately, there's no fix for the rear seats, as the lack of head- and legroom makes them suitable for smaller passengers only.

Although the Cabriolet has an old-school soft top, its tight-fitting, multilayer construction provides impressive insulation from noise and weather that rivals more complex and trunk-space-robbing retractable hardtops. With the top stowed, the trunk provides 10.2 cubic feet of cargo space -- only 2 cubes less than the coupe. Both body styles feature folding rear seats for more capacity, a rarity among convertibles.