Audi RS5 review

Well, here’s a thing. Audi’s personable CEO, Gernot Döllner, recently set the company on a new path as the company ‘strives for clarity’. Did you know that Audi currently offers more than 100 different steering wheels? That number’s coming right down, and you can also expect interior quality to improve and old-school haptics to return.

Not that the RS5’s cockpit is bad. It’s dominated by a single-piece curved ‘MMI Panorama’ screen that contains both the OLED 11.9in instrument cluster and a 14.5in infotainment display. Passengers also get a display to play with, which is either a nicely democratic move or a waste of time, money and resource. Personally, we don’t see the point.

The screens are easier to use than some rivals’ efforts, with less scope for distraction and an easily understood hierarchy. There are useful shortcuts, most of the graphics are pretty cool, and we like the augmented reality head-up display. But we’re less enamoured of the panel on the doors for mirror adjustment, and the overall lack of physical switchgear. But the buttons that are here feel rather cheap.

Anything RS-specific inside?

The dials in the main display are more sporty, and you configure it to show a big rev counter and a shift light. There’s also additional performance data, including G force read-outs, tyre temp and pressure read-outs, lap times, and more on the powertrain and launch control. The HUD also relays more RS info.

Audi’s driving experience function enables detailed analysis of what the driver gets up to, and records data on accelerator and brake use, oversteer, understeer and driftwinkel, and also lateral, longitudinal and overall acceleration. The system also creates new track profiles, and allows the driver to compare individual sectors and split times. Our car also featured a built-in dashcam.

Funnily enough, we didn’t love the look or shape of the steering wheel, although the RS and Boost buttons are cool.

Does it feel good, though?

It’s a little overcooked in places, perhaps. But the seats are highly supportive, and come in five different designs. The RS5 gets colour-coded seat-belts and logos on the floor mats, there’s contrast stitching, and the interior is leather-free. Suede-mimicking ‘Dinamica’ microfibre is much in evidence. Various inlays are available, including the RS-specific aluminium rhombus in black lacquer.

And boot space… any good?

The Avant has 361 litres of boot space with the rear seats in place, 134 less than its RS4 predecessor and far less than you get in the M3 Touring. Oops. The new car can swallow 1,302 litres with the seats folded, at least. No prizes for guessing that the battery’s location under the boot floor has compromised practicality.