Detailed review of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition, advantages, disadvantages and prices

First test drive of the coupe and sportsback versions of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition: sharper, more attractive and clear

In May this year, Audi announced that it would introduce a Competition class for the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition. The series will be available for both Coupe and Sportback models, and has confirmed that it will add some suspension changes along with other handling improvements through weight reduction, new tires, and various software recalibration.

The Audi RS5 Coupe and Sportback will be available with the new Competition package for 2023. Audi expects to start taking orders next month for the package, which makes the car louder and faster than the standard RS5. The 2023 Audi RS5 Competition will continue to use Audi’s 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, which produces the same 444 horsepower (331 kilowatts) and 442 pound-feet (600 Newton-meters) of torque as before.

However, the Competition package will increase the car’s top speed from the standard 155 mph (250 kph) to 180 mph (289 kph). It gives you up to 6 mph faster than the previous Dynamic Plus package. As Audi seeks to provide its 2023 Audi RS5 Competition with a more attractive and exciting driving experience,

The engineers at the launch of the new Audi at the Ascari Race Resort in Spain told us that the package took three years to build and test to perfection. There must be a reason they prefer more horsepower, so we drove the Coupe and Sportsback to see their pros and cons.

The exterior design of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition

The 2023 Audi RS5 Competition is indeed a great car, and although the current generation was unveiled in 2017, small updates have kept it fresh and modern. For the Competition package, the Carbon Matte Optics package has been applied to the new car, adding a front splitter, mirror caps, side blades and a carbon fiber rear diffuser with a matte finish.

The exhaust pipes have a new oval shape, and the black color is also matte. And for more aggression, the exterior trim and badging are now gloss black as standard, but the 20-inch wheels are the biggest change. These wheels are about 4.4 pounds lighter than the regular RS5 wheels, and the wheels feature a cut-out design. Unfortunately, some markets will only be able to get these wheels in glossy black.

The exterior colors of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition

And not to miss the diamond finish of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition . The brake calipers are also only available in red, while other markets will have access to blue and black colors of the calipers. Eight body colors are also available across all markets: Ascari Blue, Daytona Gray, Glacier White, Mythos Black, Nardo Gray, Navarra Blue and Tango Red.

A new shade exclusive to the Competition Pack is Sebring Black. And this is a metallic color that comes with hints of blue, and looks gleaming in the sunlight, so if you don’t mind keeping the paint on, we’d say you do. There’s also some carbon fiber in the engine compartment, and if you feel the need to look beyond the sea of ​​plastic bits.

For those familiar with the Audi RS5 Competition, the restrained, hard-to-spot design changes are evidence of the performance increase, but for the casual onlooker, this car could be considered just another RS5. Whether that’s good or bad depends on your definition of stylish, but we love this one.

Interior cabin design of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition

Apparently unhappy with the amount of black inside the cabin of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition, Audi has paired it with a darker shade called “Super Black.” While the dominant color is broken up by red accents, these accents are placed on the seat belts and floor mats. Contrasting red stitching stands out on the steering wheel, shift lever and center console. It adds a better sense of breaking the black.

Audi RS5 Competition 2023 car seats

Inside the cabin of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition , the changes are barely noticeable. Despite those regular sports seats in the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition. It adjusts easily, I also found the driving position to be perfect with enough thigh support for long drives, the seats were supportive and comfortable, laid on the right track, and didn’t cause me any discomfort.

The upholstery is noteworthy, in combination with Dinamica and optional Pearl Nappa leather, in any case it looks great and feels good, despite the fact that the Dinamica is made from 45% recycled PET fibre. In fact, the Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, shift lever and center console provide virtually no tactile difference compared to the suede-trimmed trim.

To add to the cabin’s individuality, the carbon trim is complemented by gloss black accents on the seats and other areas, while the seat belts and floor mats get red piping, as well as RS badging. Overall, the cabin is a sporty and comfortable place to spend hours in, but then again, those looking for some loud drama will want more interesting seats.

Specifications of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition

• Base price: $93,095 (Coupe). $93,395 (Sportback)
• Powertrain: 2.9L Twin Turbo V6 | 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | All-wheel drive
• Power: 444 at 6,700 rpm
• Torque: 443 lb-ft at 4,700 rpm
• 0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds (Coupe), 3.7 seconds (Sportback)
• Top speed: 180 mph
• EPA fuel economy: 18 mpg city | 25 mpg highway | 21 mpg combined
• Quick Take: It brings some welcome vibes back into the RS5 experience, but the price will be a stumbling point for many.

Competition package in the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition

There are many little things you get with the Competition package that comes with the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition for an additional $11,400. That brings the price to $92,900 for the Coupe and $93,400 for the 4-door Sportback. This brings us to a price of $105,000.

2023 Audi RS5 Competition engine

Same engine, different personality

The Coupe and Sportback versions offer the same 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 444 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. While the car has a limiter that prevents it from exceeding 180 miles per hour, the 2023 version offers the freedom to exceed the permissible limit.

Technical changes and weight reduction of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition

Details of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition slimming process

While the aesthetics haven’t changed much, what happened under the skin is no small thing. These special wheels, which reduce unsprung weight, are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber developed specifically for the car, and a new coilover suspension is added. Along with larger front and rear sway bars, plus recalibrated front and rear differentials. , to be clearer and more direct, reducing inflection.

There is also less noise isolation between the cabin and the engine compartment, and this not only saves weight, but also gives the car more character. The new sports exhaust of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition, a first for the RS5, can be heard even more easily. The eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission has also been recalibrated, and optional carbon-ceramic front brakes are now standard.

In all, the car has lost about 16 kilograms (about 35 pounds) from its previous weight. While it’s hard to single out all of these changes made separately, the sum of all these parts is a great car that handles better than ever before, says Audi. How do you actually drive it?

Driving impressions of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition

The model with the Competition Plus package comes with stronger stabilizers, three-way adjustable dampers and tighter springs that combine for a better driving experience. The rear cladding also has an exclusive quattro sport differential, which makes the car even more agile. The Competition Plus package enables the RS5 to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, 0.1 seconds faster than the standard model.

Suspension of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition

The Competition Package features a pilot, manually adjustable, three-stage air suspension that is not only efficient, but also provides better handling without compromising everyday driving comfort. The ride height is also reduced by 10mm. With manual adjustments, the ride height can be lowered by another 10 mm (20 mm in total) if you’re taking a test drive on the track.

Audi has retuned the car’s electronics, replacing dead weight with a tricky new suspension. But can a bunch of late-stage upgrades give character to the car, or is it just a ploy to win another $16,100 from Audi buyers?

Driving modes of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition

Driving the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition in Auto (Audi’s default, balanced configuration) and Comfort modes remains unchanged, behaving like a regular Audi RS5 – and that’s great. But when switching to Dynamic mode,

The difference is obvious. On start-up, the car now gives a slight oversteer at revs, with a very slight sound accompanying the ignition procedure. That rush is evident in the low-rpm twitches, too, but it’s not the kind of obnoxious noise that’ll bother you and wake your neighbours, either.

Steering in the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition

I found that the throttle has been retuned to give more feedback, there is a kind of almost imperceptible click when you hit the gas, and while this may sound silly on paper, it helps deliver the best input. The steering ratio is also significantly different, with much more weight. It’s now at a fixed ratio of 1:13.1 in Dynamic, and you get more resistance the more you turn the wheel. However, it is not perfect.

The Audi RS5 used electric power steering instead of a hydraulic setup. There are absolutely no comments from the wheel. You won’t have a hard time hitting the limit on public roads, and you can push it hard in the track, but when you let go you don’t know what’s going on, and the closed windows let the squeak of the tyres.

Noise in the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition

Even the Lansey, there’s a big upgrade under the hood, but it has nothing to do with the V6 itself. Audi has removed the sound insulation between the engine and the cabin, so you get more natural noise inside the car’s cabin. exhaust pipes can still scream,

The impressive Audi allows you to change the RS5’s driving mode to dynamic mode before starting the engine so that you get the loudest possible exhaust sound right from the start. The added auditory sensations are great, but you don’t have to worry about waking the neighbours.

We deliberately tried to disable the car, but without disabling the re-tuned stability control system. Results? The car will become unstable if you drive like a tool, but the ESP system will definitely prevent you from crashing into a wall, even if you mow the lawn. Basically, you get more freedom to explore your limits and the limits of the car, but experienced drivers will still have more fun with everything. The car comes alive without the electronic nannies at work, and the three years of development and honing are clear with everything.

The professional RS sport suspension (adjustable coilovers with a higher spring rate and three-way adjustable dampers) and retuned differential help you find some oversteer if you push the throttle too early, so the car will spin more easily, but don’t expect it to act like a Car equipped with drift mode. She wants to go fast, not unnecessarily sideways.

As we touched on earlier, the car has lower sound deadening—saving nearly 18 pounds in weight alone—and a new exhaust system. This makes the growl of the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 even more distinct, and the engine’s snatch to the redline even more fun. Speaking of redline, if you’re in Dynamic mode and have the transmission in manual mode, the car will no longer force a higher gear change, so you can just pop into the selector all day until the RS display tells you things are getting hot. Audi didn’t give you the freedom to drive, and you can’t change gear too soon. Perhaps this is a good thing, or broken gearboxes and motors will be commonplace.

Numbers-wise, you still get 444bhp, but a revised ECU, new tires and updates to the differential and transmission mean 0-60 is down 0.1 seconds in both the Coupe and Sportback, and now arrives in 3.7 and 3.8. seconds in a row. The speed limiters for both cars were raised from 155 mph (or optional 174 mph) to 180 mph with the Competition package. The car is fast, and left to its own devices, the transmission hangs on the gears as you squeeze, so it’s a lot of fun no matter how involved you are.

Value for money Audi RS5 Competition 2023

The new Audi RS5 Competition package is available as a coupe and sportback. As a package rather than a new model, that means an additional $16,100 to your base pricing. For the coupe, the base price is $75,900, while the Sportback has a base MSRP of $76,200, so you’ll pay $92,000 pre-destination for the two-door and $92,300 for the lift. Both prices exclude the $1,095 destination fee.

If that sounds like a lot, keep in mind that you get all the toys Audi has for this car. However, we can’t ignore that the BMW M4 is newer, has more power, and comes with a base price of $74,700 (excluding $995 destination). While the RS5 is great, its price tag simply doesn’t make sense on paper. Of course, you can justify the purchase with the facts that the Sportback is more practical and the RS5’s design is less defiant than that of a modern BMW.

Orders are now open, with deliveries due before the end of 2022.

Features of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition

Audi’s power can easily rival the M3, and some of the newer models, and the company seems to have studied what its customers really want, giving it a more attractive engine and a more unique experience in dynamic mode. For added power, the coupe still weighs about 3,955 pounds, and the Sportback version weighs 4,022 pounds. It added subtle changes to enable you to absorb bumps with confidence, provide a comfortable ride on daily commutes, and change its character when you need to pick up speed.

Dynamic mode makes the car look like an upgraded version of the same great car, rather than an entirely new track monster. It’s sharp and fun, not spooky and intimidating. And despite the slimming process, it’s still 100 pounds heavier than the M4 and its power less, it’s decked out for those who want something safe, attractive and capable, a car you can explore without the need for drifting skills. They are luxurious, well built and presentable

It’s a sports car for a middle-aged person who can afford to shell out over $90,000 for a car that will get him to work and back in safety and comfort, and can without losing its performance as a fun, sharp sports car when needed. Especially since that extra power would make it more joyful. Simply put, this is a great package. In the era of horsepower wars, Audi chose to make the RS5 more fun and approachable. Therefore, they deserve respect. Well done, Ingolstadt.