Chassis

The chassis of the RS 5 Coupé is the basis for fast and precise turn-in, high lateral acceleration and supreme stability. Most of the components of the five-link front suspension and the self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension are made of aluminum.

The new speed-dependent power steering is an electromechanical system with a sportily direct steering ratio for highly precise road feel. It can support the driver with slight steering corrections when braking on a surfaces with different amounts of grip. The steering system consumes no energy when driving straight ahead, which contributes to powerful coupe’s efficiency.

The taut setup lowers the body by 20 millimeters (0.79 in) compared with the Audi A5. The bearings are stiffer and the stabilizer bars are thicker. Newly designed, 9 J x 19 forged aluminum wheels with 265/35-series tires are standard. 20-inch wheels with 275/30-series tires are available as an option. Audi offers two versions of them, one with a polished titanium-look finish.

The brake system of the RS Coupé features large, internally ventilated wave discs, with the front discs measuring 365 millimeters (14.37 in) in diameter. The steel friction rings with their wave-like outer contour are perforated and connected to the aluminum brake caps via pins. This direct structure reduces tensions, quickly dissipates the heat and prevents the transmission of temperature peaks.

The new shape of the friction rings shaves a total of roughly three kilograms (6.61 lb) from the unsprung masses.

The calipers are painted high-gloss black; the front calipers have eight pistons each and sport RS logos. The electronic stabilization program (ESP) includes a Sport mode and can be switched off entirely. Six-piston calipers and carbon-fiber ceramic discs measuring 380 millimeters (14.96 in) up front are optionally available. They are lightweight, practically fade-free, extremely robust, powerful and durable.

Upon request, Audi equips the RS 5 with a particularly dynamic damping technology – the sport suspension plus with dynamic ride control (DRC). The diagonally opposed pairs of shock absorbers are linked by hydraulic lines and a central valve. During fast cornering, the system boosts the stabilization of the deflected front outside wheel, for example. The sport suspension plus features a three-stage, variable damping characteristic.

The Audi drive select driving dynamics system comes standard with the RS 5 Coupé. This system allows the driver to select between three modes – comfort, auto and dynamic – for the characteristics of the steering, the seven-speed S tronic, the throttle valves and the exhaust sound valves. And if the car is equipped with an Audi navigation system, there is also a driver-configurable custom mode.

Optional modules for Audi drive select beside the sport differential and the damping characteristic in the sport suspension plus are adaptive cruise control and dynamic steering. The latter uses a superposition gear to vary the steering ratio by nearly 100 percent as a function of speed and countersteers slightly at the cornering limit.

The equipment and data specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.