The RS5 forfeits its old naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8, partly because it’s a pain to duck it under the CO2 barrier, and partly because it simply can’t summon the immense torque offered by the twin-turbocharged onslaught of the C63, M4, and Alfa’s Giulia Quadrifoglio.In comes a 2.9-litre, bi-turbo V6. The die-hard engine experts among you will have noticed that means the new RS5 actually has a slightly smaller engine than the current S5. It’s…
The RS5 forfeits its old naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8, partly because it’s a pain to duck it under the CO2 barrier, and partly because it simply can’t summon the immense torque offered by the twin-turbocharged onslaught of the C63, M4, and Alfa’s Giulia Quadrifoglio.In comes a 2.9-litre, bi-turbo V6. The die-hard engine experts among you will have noticed that means the new RS5 actually has a slightly smaller engine than the current S5. It’s 100cc down, but a whole turbocharger to the good, and that means massive twist is on hand. You get 442lb ft over a massive rev band – 1,900rpm to 5,000rpm. The old RS5’s V8 teased you until 4,000rpm for its ultimate overtaking punch, which, when it eventually arrived, was 37lb ft weaker.