The 2018 Audi RS 5 has arrived in Australia offering 331kW and 600Nm and capable of sprinting to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

ON-SALE NOW in Australia from $156,600+ORC the Audi RS 5 Coupe is the first RS model to be plonked onto Audi’s MLBevo chassis architecture, and is up to 60kg lighter than before. Together with a new suspension layout at the front and rear, the all-new RS 5 Coupe promises even more dynamic handling, says Audi.

Under the bonnet is an all-new Audi-developed 2.9 TFSI V6 biturbo engine making 331kW and peak torque of 600Nm – up 170Nm from the previous model. In the ADR test cycle, the V6 biturbo consumes just 8.8L/100km, corresponding to 199 grams CO2 per kilometre. This is an efficiency gain of 16% over the previous model although, in the real world you can expect it to use a lot more fuel than that, especially if you’re unleashing those 331 killer-watts on a regular basis.

The engine is mated an eight-speed automatic and channels the grunt to the ground via quattro all-wheel drive with a 40:60 split. However, up to 85 percent of the engine’s torque can be directed to the rear wheels during “dynamic driving”. A sport differential actively transfers torque to the rear wheel with most traction.

Audi claims the design of the new RS 5 takes inspiration from the Audi 90 IMSA GTO (pictured below). The Singleframe radiator grille is much wider and flatter than in the base model. Next to the headlights are additional lateral air intakes and outlets and the wheel arches have been widened by 15mm. The RS 5 rides on 20-inch wheels. With a length of 4723mm, the new Audi RS 5 is 74mm longer than the previous model.

On the inside, the RS sport seats get honeycomb stitching in Fine Nappa leather and the obligatory flat-bottomed steering wheel is also present. There are RS logos on the seats, steering wheel, door sill trims and the selector lever. Special RS displays in the Audi virtual cockpit provide information on tyre pressure, torque and g-forces. A shift light prompts the driver to upshift upon reaching the rev limit.

Sonoma green metallic is an exclusive paint finish available for the RS 5. The new RS 5 is equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, gloss black exterior styling package, panoramic glass sunroof, as well as privacy glass and red-painted brake calipers. In addition, a suite of high-performance features is standard on all Australian RS 5 Coupe vehicles, including the quattro sport rear differential, RS sports exhaust system, as well as Dynamic Ride Control with adaptive dampers. Standard infotainment features abound, like the Audi virtual cockpit, Audi connect, smartphone interface and DAB+ digital radio, as well as the a Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system.