2024 Audi RS 5 Sportback

The sheer mention of Audi’s ‘RS’ line is enough to get our adrenaline pumping, so when we caught word that this 2024 RS 5 Sportback was heading to our lot, we were all eager for some seat time.

And that’s totally because of how special this particular car is. The RS 5 is already a most competent sport sedan. But this one comes equipped with the optional Competition package, a $10,000 add-on that includes even more performance-minded hardware.

For starters, sportier suspension components, from the coilovers to the sway bars, improve handling, as do the Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires wrapping the 20-inch Y-spoke wheels. Our car did come equipped with Pirelli rubber, but they were of the winter variety. They tucked deeper inside the wheel wells and gave off a lowered appearance; perhaps not the best for on-track handling, but we still found plenty of grip under dry conditions, with still more to give when pushed harder.

The carbon fiber front splitter is matched by a carbon rear diffuser, black exhaust pipes from the RS sport exhaust system poking out.

The RS 5’s bark is no longer V8-derived, now powered by a 2.9-liter biturbo V6 capable of 444 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic delivers all that twist to the quattro all-wheel drive system, complemented by a quattro sport rear differential.

It just goes to show that stepping down in displacement isn’t always such a bad thing…

GREG CARLOSS: “I’m old enough to remember when the RS5 had a naturally aspirated V8 under the hood. And I probably spend way too much time thinking about that engine. But this RS5’s twin-turbo V6 is impressive in its own right. Just gobs of torque and the Quattro all-wheel drive system allows me to accelerate first and ask questions later. And the sound? Lots turbo noise up front with a powerful growl out back. It’s certainly kept my mind from wandering back to 2013.”

Not only will the engine keep you in the present, but so will the interior thanks to the 10-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. If equipped, those screens are joined by the RS Driver Assistance Package’s head-up display. The Competition package garnishes with plenty of Alcantara coverings and red contrasts.

The 2024 Audi RS 5 starts around $80,000, with ours creeping near $95K. That’s a pretty penny, no doubt, but what that penny buys is an incredibly competent sport sedan that truly meets the competition.

And we’ll meet up with more Quick Spins…soon!