• Car and Driver B8 Audi RS5 test numbers, still no match for a BMW E92 M3

                    
      		   
      Published on 10-12-2012 07:59 PM
      3 Comments Comments
      When the E92 M3 came out it was a stronger car than the B7 Audi RS4. Lighter, faster, stronger. Well, Audi has had plenty of time since then to respond and the response is the B8 RS5. Unfortunately, the old 4.2 FSI even with a few tweaks and combined with a dual clutch transmission still isn't quite enough to best the now 4+ year old E92 M3.

      The B8 RS5 is a great car, no doubt about it. 450 horsepower, a dual clutch transmission, and all wheel drive are phenomenal. However, the 4040 pound curb weight and nose heavy weight distribution hurt. Acceleration figures put it at 12.8@111 in the 1/4 mile so right there with the E92 M3 but as speeds rise the BMW should pull away slowly. One would expect more for the $77,320 tested price and the RS5 being a brand new model.

      The exteroir styling is gorgeous, the motor is a high revving jewel, and the interior is excellent. It is not the better drivers car but certainly a fine car indeed. Just not for someone who wants to tune or tweak (see how APR only got 9 horsepower out of tuning it). It's simply a fine all around vehicle and there is nothing wrong with that.





















      Specifications >

      VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe

      PRICE AS TESTED: $77,320
      BASE PRICE: $69,795

      ENGINE TYPE: V-8, aluminum block and heads

      Displacement: 254 cu in, 4163 cc
      Power: 450 hp @ 8250 rpm
      Torque: 317 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

      TRANSMISSION: 7-speed dual-clutch
      automatic with manual shifting mode

      DIMENSIONS:
      Wheelbase: 108.3 in
      Length: 183.0 in
      Width: 73.2 in Height: 53.8 in
      Curb weight: 4040 lb

      C/D TEST RESULTS:
      Zero to 60 mph: 4.4 sec
      Zero to 100 mph: 10.4 sec
      Zero to 130 mph: 18.5 sec
      Street start, 5–60 mph: 5.0 sec
      Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.5 sec
      Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.2 sec
      Standing ¼-mile: 12.8 @ 111 mph
      Top speed (governor limited): 178 mph
      Braking, 70–0 mph: 158 ft
      Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 0.96 g

      FUEL ECONOMY:
      EPA city/highway: 16/23 mpg
      C/D observed: 16 mpg

      TEST NOTES: Launch is less violent than expected, considering the 5500-rpm clutch engagement. In launch-control mode, upshifts are automatic. Brutally quick downshifts in the passing acceleration tests. The hardest downshifts I can remember with a dual clutch.
      This article was originally published in forum thread: Car and Driver B8 Audi RS5 test numbers, still no match for a BMW E92 M3 started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 3 Comments
      1. leo985i's Avatar
        leo985i - 10-21-2012, 02:45 PM
        The RS5 sure is a good looking car. So the question is, how much power does this car make with full bolt on?
      1. BlackJetE90OC's Avatar
        BlackJetE90OC - 10-21-2012, 02:54 PM
        Test drove one a couple weeks ago, a very nice car. Beautifual car in person, inside and out. Very well built, fit and finish a knotch above M3. The engine was fantastic, high revving, great sound. Throttles blips on downshifts were deadly. I can see why someone would pay a small premium over an equally equipped C63 or M3. Audi built a great car, impressed they decided to use a NA engine(a last hurrah). If I owned one I wouldn't mod it, perfect the way it sits.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 10-23-2012, 06:19 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by leo985i Click here to enlarge
        The RS5 sure is a good looking car. So the question is, how much power does this car make with full bolt on?
        This should give you an idea: http://www.audiboost.com/content.php...-at-the-wheels