AUDI RS5 Sportback Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Despite all-new generation of the Audi RS5 Sportback being unveiled in 2018, Audi thought that it would be a good idea to refresh the entire RS5 model lineup just a year and a half later. The early mid-cycle facelift is a minor one regarding the car's overall design and technical areas, with Ingolstadt choosing to simply refine the model's design language and bring it more in line with its more expensive Audi Sport stablemates.

The revamp also came at the right time to mark the quattro brand's 25th anniversary, and the model was unveiled alongside its two-door brother, the Audi RS5 Coupe. Design wise, it's difficult to pinpoint all the modifications, but almost every single exterior detail has been refreshed in one way or another. The large Singleframe grille is now even wider and looks flatter, while the non-functional vents above it hark back to the original Audi Sport quattro, which pretty much started the Audi Sport lineage. The facelifted RS5 Sportback has 40 mm (1.6 in) wider wheel arches, while the optional matrix LED headlights with laser light technology now feature darkened bezels. The model's side sills and faux aerodynamic diffuser in the rear bumper have also been redesigned and can be further customized with gloss black, matte aluminum or even carbon fiber styling packages. Powering the car is the same 2.9-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 with 450 horsepower and 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque on tap, sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Audi introduced the second generation of the A5 Sportback in 2016 but waited for another two years before unveiling the sportiest version, the RS5, at the New York Auto Show.

Audi had to drastically reduce emissions for its lineup and decided to downsize the engine for the top-performer version of the RS5 Sportback. Thus, with the help of a pair of turbochargers, the new V6 produced the same power as its predecessor but with higher torque.

Audi kept a few special details for the RS5, which were not offered on the S5 or the S-Line models of the A5. Thus, the designers took their inspiration from the former glorious Audi 90 Quattro IMSA GTO. At the front, the black, octagonal mesh grille sported the little red and silver badge specific for the RS models. In addition, the quattro lettering adorned the lower part of the bumper, just above the lip spoiler. On the sides, the massive air intakes channeled the air to the front brakes to cool them. Another specific detail was noticed on the door mirrors, which featured carbon-fiber caps. Since it was the more practical version of the RS5, the Sportback featured another set of doors in the back and a tailgate. At the back, the carmaker installed a small, carbon fiber lip spoiler. Finally, the carmaker added two wide oval exhausts that flanked the carbon-fiber rear diffuser to complete the sporty image.

Inside, Audi installed a pair of high-bolstered seats with an option for leather sport seats embroidered with RS5 badges on the seatbacks. Even the rear seats could have been decorated with a stitched hexagonal pattern on the outer seats. Moreover, the interior was also adorned with carbon-fiber trims on the dashboard, center console, center stack, and door cards.

The 2019 RS5 Sportback came fitted with a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission that sent the power in all corners.