Audi RS 5 gets Geneva debut
* Blasts from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds
* Will cost from 58,500
Audi will reveal its new 444bhp Audi RS 5 at the Geneva motor show next week.
The 4.2-litre V8 is powerful enough to blast the RS 5 from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155mph. Average fuel consumption is put at 26.2mpg.
A reinforced version of Audi's seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is fitted to the car, which has four-wheel drive as standard. Besides automatic shifts, the RS 5 also has paddles on the steering wheel for manual selection, while three shift settings are available: auto, comfort, and dynamic.
The four-wheel-drive system, too, is new for the RS 5 and uses its differential to distribute up to 70% of torque to the front wheels or as much as 85% to the rears, depending on grip.
The standard distribution is 40:60 front to rear, while torque can also be varied left to right as well as front to back.
Theres also a launch control system, and three chassis settings of Comfort, Dynamic and Sport.
A spoiler in the tailgate deploys at 75mph for added high-speed stability (when driving outside the UK, we assume) and then retracts at 50mph.
When and how much?
The Audi RS 5 will be available to order from this spring and will cost from around 58,500.
