Audi India has announced that the 2021 RS5 will launch in India on August 9, 2021. The new Audi RS5 will join the S5 Sportback that was launched in March earlier this year and the RS7 Sportback in Audi’s lineup of performance models in India. Traditionally, Audi has brought the RS5 to India as a two-door coupe, but this time, it’s the four-door Sportback model that’s coming to our shores.
- The updated Audi RS5 launched globally in December 2019
- New RS5 Sportback model coming to our shores for the first time
- 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6 engine produces 450hp of power
Audi RS5 Sportback: Design
Compared to the two-door coupe that was launched in India in 2018, the updated RS5 looks more aggressive and gets two more doors. It features new headlights, reshaped air intakes and a larger single-piece grille. There is also a three-part air intake positioned just above the front grille that takes inspiration from the 1984 UR Quattro. As has been seen on other RS models, the new RS5’s wheel arches sport a 40mm extension.
The optional darkened headlight bezels also help distinguish the sporty RS model from the standard one. At the back, a reshaped diffuser, new taillights and a subtle design update are also part of the package. The sloping roofline of the new Sportback model lends a beautiful silhouette to the RS5. The RS5 Sportback will ride on 19-inch wheels as standard, and could be offered with larger 20-inch wheels as an option.
Audi RS5 Sportback: Interior
On the inside, the overall layout and dashboard design remain largely unchanged when compared to the previous model. However, the infotainment system gets a complete overhaul and gets a new free-standing 10.1-inch touchscreen, with Audi’s new MMI acoustic response technology, angled slightly towards the driver. The new system also does away with the old rotary controller from the center console.
Additionally, the car gets an updated version of Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster and RS-specific touches such as the steering wheel, sporty seats and Alcantara trim elements.
Audi RS5 Sportback: Engine
Under the hood, the 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback remains unchanged from the RS5 two-door coupe that was on sale previously. That means its powered by a 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6 engine that churns out 450hp and 600Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system sending power to all four wheels. As a result, it can sprint from 0-100 kph in just 3.9 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250kph. The optional RS Package will further raise that to 280kph.
Audi RS5 Sportback: expected price and rivals
The previous iteration of the Audi RS5 was launched in India for a price of Rs 1.1 crore (ex-showroom). The facelifted model in its new four-door guise could cost around Rs 1.5 crore (ex-showroom). It will rival the likes of the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63 in India.
Upcoming Audi launches in India
The German carmaker recently launched its first all-electric model in India – the e-tron SUV and e-tron Sportback – and following the launch of the RS5, Audi has a slew of new SUVs lined up for launch this year. This includes the all-new Q3 and facelifted versions of the Q5 and Q7 SUVs. Audi also has an all-new version of the A3 sedan coming up later this year.
Uday Singh
Dipan Sur
Glenn Noronha
Viraaj Bhatnagar
