Glisse

Matt Wilson at Car Wow has tested an RS5, then runs an S5 over the same course, which is quite interesting. And does a drag race for the children amongst us

I don't take these reviews too seriously, but enjoy watching them. My own take from the video was to notice how much flatter the RS5 is in the corners. His quite genuine scream when he got the RS5 airborne was funny, too:

Snicklefritz

Thanks for sharing, was quite enjoyable. I'll never understand why all of these reviewers want the Mercedes, BMW and Audi to drive and feel the same?

3cat

I want the front bumper and grill from the RS for my S5.

Stankia

Yep this is why I picked an S5 over an RS5, just not special enough for the money.

buickfunnycar

Ok...don't shoot me but I think the S5 looks better.

synergize

Agreed, it does look so much better. The S5 is statement in elegance, the RS5 is one of confusion, at least to my eyes!

buickfunnycar

Especially the front end, with those hideous silver trim pieces and those vents/air intake inlets on the edges of the headlight/taillights looks like something the Japanese would do...immediately reminded me of an Acura.

I did find his comments regarding acceleration interesting...pretty much certain it isn't the turbo that's the culprit so what then...computer mapping?

Glisse

I don't like the silver trim at all, looks much better with black optics, or the carbon pack (which is very expensive).

Yes, I was interested in the comments on response. It seems specific to rolling acceleration - the thing gets off the line like a scalded cat, and keeps going. But there seems to be a big delay in throttle response (map), or transmission kick down, or both, once rolling.

Hard to say whether they had it in the wrong mode, or there was an issue with this particular car (this was not noted in 3 recents reviews by quite experienced car journalists, who would have noticed it), or the car is using some form of adaptive mapping (to improve efficiency) so needs to "wake up". I suspect it may be the latter, as the S5 can behave the same way.

There is a linked video which compared this same RS5 to an M4 (with Comp Pack) and a C63s. First section was a 1/4 mile run, which the RS5 won. The M4 wasn't in the picture, the C63 was closing fast. They then did a rolling start from 50mph and the C63 and M4 were gone whilst the RS5 was still doing 50mph a couple of seconds later apparently deciding when to kick down. I didn't bother linking it because it was all a bit silly.

But I would not order an RS5 until I could drive one and see whether the transmission behaviour is annoying. They certainly don't have any issue getting the ZF8HP to work in an RS, as per the RS6/RS7. But then the RS6 uses the ZF8HP-90, which is the highest rated version at 900Nm/664ft-lb. I don't know what versions are being used in the S5 and RS5. Let's hope they didn't go cheap and are torque limiting at the change points:


Source: Wiki - ZF 8HP variants

It will also be interesting to see just what change Audi is making to the S4/S5 this month to improve responsiveness. In their typical style, they are being very opaque.

eric strauss

Having owned three B8 S-cars and an RS5, it was clearly definitive that there was a significant difference between the variants. But Audi, Porsche and others are using similar power plants across the range of a particular model, such as the S/RS5, 911, 718, etc. The differences are likely to be subtle, so the chassis is likely the guide. It will be interesting to see. I replaced my B8 RS5 with an M4 Competition Package as it is a well sorted chassis with a few years of history. It will be interesting to see the new B9 RS5 evolve in the marketplace, sort out any problems, mature and find its spot. My target year is 2020.

Happy Motoring

Eric

Glisse

^^

Never rains in Southern California, I think the song goes

Congrats on the new M4 Eric, enjoy it!