Audi RS5 Races Into 2023 With Hardcore Competition Package

Often criticized for not being as engaging as a BMW M4, theAudi RS5 Coupeand itsRS5 Sportback年代ibling are still wondrously capable performance cars. Audi must have concerns around this, however, and has introduced a Competition package for the 2023 model year. So, what can we expect from Ingolstadt's fiery twins?

The melodious 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 remains unchanged and, as such, boasts outputs of 444 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. That's quite some way behind the M4's standard 473 hp but it's more than sufficient - the Coupe and Sportback can reach 60 mph in 3.7 and 3.8 seconds, respectively.

What has changed, however, is the driving experience. Audi has bestowed Competition models with a 180 mph top speed and developed an exclusive RS sport exhaust system. Aside from the appealing matte black tailpipes, the throaty V6 howl can be heard better thanks to reduced firewall insulation which lowers vehicle mass by nearly 18 lbs.

Revised transmission programming for quicker shifts means tighter load changes when Dynamic drive mode is paired with the gearbox's S setting. The suspension has also been breathed upon by the Audi Sport boffins, with Competition models gaining coilover suspension that lowers the ride by 10mm and a sportier front sway bar. The suspension can be manually lowered by a further 10mm.

Thanks toquattro all-wheel-drive, the RS5 has always been a joy to use on an engaging stretch of road. But, at the end of the day, it's never been quiteas engaging as its Bavarian rival. Audi is hoping this package will put things right. To make sure the Audi has a fighting chance, the sports rear differential has been tailored to increase agility while the steering has been reworked to provide more precision.