Photo: ABT Sportsline
The RS5 Sportback received a number of mods from ABT Sportsline, turning into the RS5-R. Only 50 examples of the breed will ever be made for Europe and North America, and the Germans offer a four-year/160,000-kilometer warranty for the upgrade package.
First things first, the engine. For the 2.9-liter V6 with a twin-turbo setup, ABT managed to squeeze out 503 horsepower and 509 pound-feet compared to the bone-stock output of 444 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. It should be mentioned the European version has 530 PS, translating to 523 horsepower. The 21-inch Sport GR wheels with low-profile tires bring the point home, but the carbon fiber takes the cake as the most obvious upgrade.
From the lip spoiler to the decklid spoiler, the surrounds for the radiator grille and air intakes, motorsport-style canards, rear aerodynamic diffuser, and tailpipe finishers, it’s hard to mistake the RS5-R for the RS5. Even in the cabin, the dashboard, steering wheel, and seats feature the composite material. Branded door sills and entrance lights with the ABT logo are also included, along with carbon fiber for the shift knob.
The limited-edition model comes with an "ABT RS5-R 1 of 50" badge, the ABT Engine Control unit, an additional water radiator kit, and ABT intake cover. Rounding off the list of modifications, anti-roll bars for the front and rear axles complement the quattro all-wheel drive in the twisties.
Zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 3.6 seconds, three-tenths less than before, but top speed and starting price haven’t been made public. Given that the RS5 Sportback starts at $74,200 before destination charge, the RS5-R Sportback doesn’t come cheap. Top speed, meanwhile, is electronically limited to 155 mph. Opt for the Dynamic plus package ($5,800), and the electronic nannies bugger off to enable a top speed of 174 mph (280 km/h).
Over in Europe, deliveries of the RS5-R limited edition will kick off in July 2019. Pricing in Germany for the RS5 Sportback starts at €82,700, making the sports sedan more expensive than the e-tron electric crossover (€80,900).
From the lip spoiler to the decklid spoiler, the surrounds for the radiator grille and air intakes, motorsport-style canards, rear aerodynamic diffuser, and tailpipe finishers, it’s hard to mistake the RS5-R for the RS5. Even in the cabin, the dashboard, steering wheel, and seats feature the composite material. Branded door sills and entrance lights with the ABT logo are also included, along with carbon fiber for the shift knob.
The limited-edition model comes with an "ABT RS5-R 1 of 50" badge, the ABT Engine Control unit, an additional water radiator kit, and ABT intake cover. Rounding off the list of modifications, anti-roll bars for the front and rear axles complement the quattro all-wheel drive in the twisties.
Zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 3.6 seconds, three-tenths less than before, but top speed and starting price haven’t been made public. Given that the RS5 Sportback starts at $74,200 before destination charge, the RS5-R Sportback doesn’t come cheap. Top speed, meanwhile, is electronically limited to 155 mph. Opt for the Dynamic plus package ($5,800), and the electronic nannies bugger off to enable a top speed of 174 mph (280 km/h).
Over in Europe, deliveries of the RS5-R limited edition will kick off in July 2019. Pricing in Germany for the RS5 Sportback starts at €82,700, making the sports sedan more expensive than the e-tron electric crossover (€80,900).
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