Audi RS5 Facelift Revealed at Frankfurt with Sharper Styling and Familiar V8
Audi’s updated RS5 Coupé, unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, retains its 450 hp naturally aspirated V8 while introducing revised exterior styling and chassis tweaks.
Audi has taken the wraps off the facelifted RS5 Coupé at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, giving its flagship performance coupé a sharper look while keeping the proven 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 under the bonnet. The updated model continues with 450 hp and a 0-100 km/h time of 4.6 seconds.
The most obvious changes are cosmetic. Audi has reworked the RS5’s front and rear lights, incorporating a new LED signature and a more angular shape. The front bumper is more aggressive, with pronounced air intakes and bold struts. Foglights are omitted entirely in the new design, focusing visual attention on the main lighting elements and grille.
At the rear, the tail lights have been updated to match the sharper front end, and the bumper has been subtly reshaped. The RS5 continues to sit on 19-inch forged aluminium wheels as standard, shod with 265/35 tyres, while buyers can opt for 20-inch wheels with wider 275/30 tyres for a more assertive stance.
Mechanical package unchanged
Beneath the revised bodywork, the RS5’s mechanical specification is unchanged. The 4,163 cc V8 remains hand-assembled at Audi’s Győr plant in Hungary, producing 450 hp and 430 Nm. Power is delivered to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro permanent all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic transmission.
Performance figures are identical to the outgoing model: 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The RS5’s drive select system remains standard, allowing drivers to tailor throttle, transmission and steering response.
Brakes and suspension updates
Audi fits the RS5 with large, internally ventilated ‘wave’ brake discs at the front, measuring 365 mm in diameter. The discs feature a wave-shaped outer contour for reduced weight and improved cooling, and are connected to aluminium brake caps by pins. The rear brakes follow a similar design.
For the chassis, Audi’s sport suspension plus with DRC (Dynamic Ride Control) is available, linking diagonally opposed shock absorbers hydraulically to reduce roll and pitch in fast cornering. The system offers three-stage variable damping, controlled by the driver. Standard suspension remains available for those preferring a less aggressive ride.
RS5 facelift in context
Audi’s decision to retain the naturally aspirated V8 sets the RS5 apart from rivals moving to turbocharged engines. The facelift focuses on sharpening the car’s appearance and refining its chassis technology rather than chasing headline power figures. For buyers, the update brings a fresher look and additional wheel options, but the core character of the RS5 remains unchanged.
The facelifted RS5 Coupé sits alongside other recent Audi updates, such as the A1 and S1 facelifts and the introduction of Carbon Edition models for the RS4 Avant and RS5. For further details on Audi’s RS range developments, see Audi RS4 Avant and RS5 Coupe gain Carbon Edition models for UK.
