Audi RS5 initial ownership report
Alright so it's been around 21 days and 1800 Kms (i know thats a lot at almost 100 a day) and I have finally been able to get the time to start writing this minor review down.
As some might know this was a fairly quick decision with a turnaround of 7 days from initial TD to purchase. Frankly the car really touched me and provided one of the finest driving experiences in a long time.
The Audi Gurgaon salespeople are really good and Hemant especially was a gem. I went for hour long test drives with him and he was ever helpful. Had I not gone for those long test drives i would not have known how usable and fun this car is.
I'm going to break this down into some major criteria that should give some insight into this enjoyable vehicle.
Positives:
- Stonking engine - 0-100 in 4.6
- Amazing Exhaust SOUND - it roars and can be heard a mile away
- Gorgeous looks - due to the fact that there's no A5 in India, this car is really exclusive and is a beauty to look at
from each and every angle.
- B&O sound system with 14 speakers and two subwoofers - its like a club in your car
- Awesome GRIP due to Quattro with crown gear differential which helps it steer more like a rear wheel drive car
- Incredible Road presence (real chick magnet)
- Launch Control
Negatives:
- Suspension a bit hard even in comfort mode
- Mileage of......wait for it....... 4 kmpl!!
- Lots of squeaks and rattles from the cabin
- MMI is the older one and rather pedestrian when compared with the latest in the 530d
- No navigation
1. Drive - stonking engine, incredible handling - the Quattro with the crown gear differential makes the under steer of Audis of yore a thing of the past and handles a lot like a rear wheel drive car yet with the confidence inspiring traction of an all wheel drive car, and it also has a fairly communicative steering.
The torque numbers though not as high as my 530d is enough for a kick in the chest feeling. However put this car in a drag race with the 530d and the high revving engine with 444bhp will make the bimmer look like a speck of dust in the rear view mirror. It gains stupendous speed so much so that honestly 150 kmph feels like a 100. This car really does cover ground. Who cares about the 4 kmpl urban mileage!!??!!
I also feel that the gear ratios are a bit haywire perhaps to keep mileage numbers under check. Nonetheless it's great fun to see a boy racer in his bummer pull up and actually try to take the Rs5 on. Simply go down a couple of gears and stomp on the gas and he will be a speaking the rear view mirror.
2. Sound - the aural satisfaction that this car gives is eargasmic. Put it in dynamic and a flap opens in the exhaust and the full glory of the 4.2 V8 is for all to hear and feel. Moreover in dynamic mode each time you go up or down a gear a small drop of petrol is dropped into the exhaust making a loud rumble that announces your impending presence from 2 street lights away. Frankly it's the sound that clinched this car for me. It is really that good. The best way is to open the windows or the sunroof (which only opens up a bit from the back) and then listen to the amazing baritone. The sound is enough of an adrenaline boost by itself and when coupled with the sheer ferocity with which it covers ground, the total package becomes rather addictive.
3. Tech - ageing interior and shoddy older MMI makes this car not really a geek's weapon of choice. However it does have all the Bluetooth, auto-dimming, Bang and Olufson shenanigans going on to keep you mildly interested. Let's face it though, if you are buying this car for the gizmos you have more money than brains.
4. Presence - Chick Magnet. No doubt about it. every hotel has allowed this car on the porch. No questions asked. They don't even ask for the key. Amazing road presence. People look at the car more than at the road ahead. Enthusiasts have drool leaking out the door onto the road making a potential aqua-planing disaster. Wherever I go this turns a lot of heads.
5. Efficiency - ummmm N/A. 5 Kmpl on the highway and 4 in the city so far. Oh and only 97 octane does it justice. 91 has too much of a power loss.
6. Comfort - the car is a good long distance cruiser, at least as good as a hardcore track car can be. The ride is stiff, even in comfort, but in dynamic it stiffens up real good. So much so that the cratered moonscape that we call Gurgaon roads can serve as a good obstacle course. So, overall comfortable in a 'I'm not going to vomit but man I felt that bump' kind of way.
I have not hit the front end yet but have scraped several car-breakers already but overall the GC is good enough to handle all but the worst of those bumps.
7. Fun factor - 10/10. This car has put a smile on my face that few other vehicles have ever managed. it is a blast to be on the open road. I have broken it in a bit and can't wait to reach the 2500 km mark t unleash it in all it's glory toughi have cheated a few times .
8. Launch Control - Launch control just rocks and ensures that even grannies can reach the 4.6 mark to the ton. It's really an amazing feature that truly puts a smile on your face.
Will keep adding/editing as time goes on.
Last edited by Zkalra : 24th February 2012 at 21:01.
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