It is confirmed: The Audi RS5 is faster than we were told

When we read information about any car, we look at several figures that reveal a lot about its performance. The power the engine delivers, its maximum torque and the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time are some of those figures that help us see and assess what each car offers. We must bear in mind that many of these figures are obtained under optimal conditions and that they may differ slightly from real-world performance. Only slightly, but a difference can exist.

So it does not surprise us that the Audi RS5, launched earlier this year in 2017, shows some difference between the figures initially offered and those it ultimately achieves. And this is not about exaggerating any figure to make it more attractive. It is quite the opposite. It was announced that the four-ring model could reach 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.

The truth is that the model has shown superior performance, achieving this acceleration in just 3.7 seconds, two tenths less than we were told at first. And this happens because, as Stephan Rei, Head of Technical Development at Audi Sport, stated to Car Advice, when these figures are offered, at least at Audi, they try to be somewhat conservative and offer figures slightly below the real ones.

If the car has a good aerodynamic package and is in ideal conditions, it can reach 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. Of course, he also commented that under normal conditions those not-to-be-sniffed-at 3.9 seconds would be achieved, “but never 4.0 seconds“. This is explained because this faster acceleration is conditioned by several special circumstances, and because Audi does not want anyone to correct its figures by claiming a higher acceleration time than the one it announces. So they choose to publish the most conservative data and let the cars speak for themselves.

The Audi RS5 is equipped with a 2.9-litre engine that delivers 450 CV and a maximum torque of 600 Nm. With a suitable aerodynamic package, it reaches that 3.7-second acceleration and a top speed of 280 km/h, figures that, as it seems, are closer to reality than those Audi chose to announce, to be more modest.