Audi RS5 review - Interior, design and technology
The RS5 offers a first-class cabin, with superb build quality and intuitive tech
Audi Sport has given the RS 5 Coupe a suitably aggressive makeover when compared to the standard A5 Coupe. It's been lowered, wider wheelarches that are vaguely reminiscent of the Audi Quattro have been shaped into the bodywork, while satin silver trim is added to the front and rear bumpers and the wing mirrors. There are also red RS badges on the nose, bootlid and fake air vents on the front wings. LED lights are standard front and rear, too.
The overall effect is subtle, and only performance car fans are going to recognise the RS 5 for what it is in comparison to the standard A5 - although this will be popular with some buyers not wanting to draw attention to themselves.
Audi also offers exclusive colours for the RS 5, including an intriguing Sonoma Green. These optional metallic and pearl-finish hues cost an extra £675, with solid Nardo Grey paint as standard.
Inside, the RS 5 has been given sports seats with RS badging, and there are plenty of RS badges elsewhere in the cabin. The dashboard features Audi's Virtual Cockpit display as standard, while the MMI controller is straightforward to use – the gear selector doubles as a wrist rest when using it, making it more convenient to use than a touchscreen.
Audi has a strong reputation for building high-quality interiors, and the RS 5 upholds that tradition, with first-class materials and rock-solid build quality. Upgrading to the Carbon Pack could spell disaster for this kind of quality, but the carbon fibre trim is integrated beautifully.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
As already mentioned, Audi's MMI controller takes pride of place on the dashboard, and is far more intuitive to use as an infotainment control system than a touchscreen is. The system features shortcut buttons to instantly jump from media to nav to phone to vehicle settings, and everything is easily programmable and to set up.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both included as standard, and the MMI system makes it easier to navigate through your phone apps than using a touchscreen. The RS 5's 10.1-inch display has clear graphics, and the sat-nav features local traffic info and is offered with free software updates over the car's life.
Also included is a 10GB music hard drive, a DVD player and voice control, while a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo is available at extra cost.
